People – Page 4 – Jacksonville Blogger

Isaiah D. Hart’s Westside Plantation

(About 1840 near now called Marietta)

Isaiah D. Hart, the founder of Jacksonville died September 4, 1861 at the age of 68. He was born in Georgia before moving to King’s Ferry along the St. Marys River . He came to the Cowford, (former Jacksonville), planned and had platted the area into streets and a township in 1822. T. Frederick Davis, author of History of Jacksonville wrote: “At one time or another he owned nearly all the land now known as the old city, and the most of Springfield”. We know he also owned property in West Jacksonville out by Bulls Bay as documented in old records, by former historians and recently online at Wikitree.

It is believed that he had seen the business of Dawson and Buckles near the St. Johns River where two men who opened a general merchandise store and were finding success being near the place where people crossed, fording cows and the like. Hart purchased 18 acres of land in the area and established a town, now called Jacksonville, Florida.

As a young man, Hart was in favor of Spain returning Florida and joined in the Patriot raids which “raided Florida plantations for slaves and called and drove them northward into Georgia selling them”. About that time he married Nancy Nelson and as the United States took control of Florida Hart was busy securing land in the Cowford and other Florida areas beginning to make his fortune.

By 1840, Hart and his family were living on his Paradise plantation in West Jacksonville. According to a census taker in 1850 he was named as a “planter” with his estate being valued at $35,000 having 48 slaves(21 female and 27 male). By 1860 his owning had diminished having 12 female and 14 male slaves.

Hart had 8 children and at his death his son Ossian was assigned to settle his estate. Ossian chose to live at the plantation Hart owned on the outskirts of Jacksonville near Marietta in now West Jacksonville even though Isaiah had other property. These were Civil War years and change was on the rise.

The Civil War began in April of 1861 and with Hart’s passing in September of that year, times were beginning to change even in Florida. By the 1860’s, Hart was quite established.

The Civil War and the battle about emancipation was on the minds of many. Although two of the most significant battles did not occur in Florida until 1864 near Olustee and Lake City, Hart’s ,Paradise Plantation in West Jacksonville was only 40-50 miles from those battle areas. Change was on the rise.

Only 4 years before his death, in 1857 Hart added all of his property holdings to the Jacksonville map and established a public square. After his death the family deeded the village green which was known as City Park to the city. In 1800 Civil War veteran Charles C. Hemming installed a 62 foot tall confederate monument and the park was renamed Hemming Park about 1898 and remained so until the unrest of the police killing of George Floyd. This sparked outcry nationwide. In 2020, the City Council voted to change the name of Hemming Park to James Weldon Johnson Park in honor of a former Black Jacksonville musician and “accomplished resident.”

Ossian, Hart’s son had been born in Jacksonville in 1821. He was educated in Jacksonville and Washington, Dc according to the Governor’s Association. He studied law and was admitted into the Florida bar. Serving in the Florida Legislature as a one-term member in 1844 he became Florida supervisor of elections and helped in the restoration of the state. Hart was a Unionist and avoided the Confederate army due to medical concerns. When his father died, he managed his father’s property dividing the estate. His father was one of the richest men in Florida owning stocks in” the Florida, Atlantic and Gulf Railroad, the Jacksonville Natural Gas Company, the Banks of St. Johns County a steamship line, a great amount of property and 53 slaves” From that time of 1861 until after the Civil War, he worked in government serving in 1873 on the Supreme Court. He was elected the 10th Florida governor. Ossian’s position on slavery was in helping them and offering freedom as he managed his Father’s 30 year old plantation estate.

It is said that Hart’s slaves were freed after his death and when his son served as governor worked in an effort to help with the freedmen and new accomplishments and freedoms for Blacks. For example, Ossian Hart appointed the first Black superintendent of public instruction, Jonathan Gibbs during the Reconstruction era.

Ossian Hart came down with pneumonia while serving as Governor and died in office on March 18, 1874. He is buried next to his father in Evergreen Cemetery in Jacksonville, Florida.

There’s so much more, so….

See you tomorrow,

SourcesL The Governors Association, Wikipedia, Ancestry, Canter Brown, T. Frederick Davis, Wikitree, Geological map, Florida Memory.

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January 5

Could That Be Isaiah D. Hart’s Wagon?

Indeed it was not but I could visualize just the same.

Found in the yard of Lachapelles off Bulls Bay Rd.

I felt as if I might have found a remnant of the old Isaiah David Hart Plantation which was called “Paradise” and located West of Bulls Bay in West Jacksonville, Florida in the 1800s. Of course, Hart himself would have more than likely been riding on a wooden buckboard, buggy or carriage. Hart established the town of Jacksonville, Florida along the River St. Johns in 1822. He is counted by many as the actual 7th resident in the city and his brother, Daniel being the 8th but Hart is most known for being responsible for platting the city and having the streets laid out for an actual town which was called Cowford .(There are some who say the 2nd resident but…). Cowford, as it was called, was at a narrow place in the river. Its renaming was later suggested by John Warren to be named after Andrew Jackson the first provisional governor. Hart grew the area and later had a thriving Plantation West of Jacksonville in near-now called Marietta.

Today, I witnessed tall and I mean huge pine trees, willowing moss hanging from the massive Oak trees, dirt roads and several tributaries seemingly flowing from the Cedar River. Birds of every kind, especially blue jays, were talking among themselves and flying all around. All of those were marked items describing Hart’s former, some 2,000 acre plantation. There was no obvious log cabin or out-buildings built in the mids 1800’s that were present in today’s visit to the Bulls Bay area, but there was a buggy that I could definitely envision Hart or maybe his son, Ossian, who also lived on this land and was the 10th Governor of Florida riding in. (I am quite sure that was not his either but I still could envision it).

Over the years, this rural area has been used for sand excavating, sewage disposal, solid waste, borrow pits, drainage, reservoirs, waste land, marsh, swamps, animal out-growth, and of late, a slew of trucking and auto businesses tucked often on dead-end streets along Bulls Bay, Commonwealth Avenue and Prichard Road. The majority of the land though is pristine and unbothered. There are acres and acres of tall timber and agricultural promise.

This seems to have been built in the 1920’s or later-

In 1999, the City of Jacksonville purchased 1,222 acres which is now called Bulls Bay Preserve. There are a lot of wetlands, and tributaries from the Trout River, Ortega River and Cedar Creek waterways.

The Baldwin- Rail Trail is on the edge of this area with opportunities to hike and ride mountain bikes in flat Florida. There is even a “small waterfall” which is highlighted on the JaxParks page.

Walking/Biking trail running East and West parallel to commonwealth.

You are encouraged to visit the area where Jacksonville ’s founder once lived.

See you tomorrow,

Sources:

JaxParks, Visit Jacksonville, Jacksonvilleblogger.com, Wagon- Guy Lachepelle

Go visit: 8017 Old Plank Road, Jacksonville, Florida 32220

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January 2

Is Isaiah D. Hart, “Uncle What’s His Name?’

Isaiah David Hart is the Founder of Jacksonville, Florida with no known photo.

Sisters Pat and Marien formerly of Jacksonville, Florida used to talk about “Uncle What’s His Name”. It seems there was the photograph in a fancy frame of an unknown man on the wall of a prominent relative of the family for which no one knew his name. It apparently hung on the wall for many years to the point that it became funny to relatives and friends alike, as they walked towards, by and around this unknown soul. They called him “Uncle What’s His Name”.

Sometimes I wonder about Isaiah David Hart, the founder of Jacksonville who married Nancy Nelson in Duval County in 1818 according to the records. Could his mug be on the wall of some family member and they not know he’s the actual founder of Jacksonville, Florida? There is no known photograph of him and many historians like myself have tried endlessly to find one. And, why is there no photo?

Isaiah D. Hart was a prominent man who held not only a great deal of power but held high offices in Jacksonville and Florida. His father’s family was from Pennsylvania and he died in St. Johns County. His Mother was from Loudoun County, Virginia. Both are buried in Jacksonville’s Old Cemetery. Hart’s Mother birthed four children according to Find A Grave but some say twelve children. There are no family photos among many youngins’ and their families?

According to Find A Grave, Hart himself had 7 children but I don’t see Julia listed so even that history is sketchy. Those listed are: Oscar B. Hart, Ossian B. Hart, Laura C. Hart Farrar, Lodiska Hart Beers, Isaiah David Hart, Daniel William Hart and Nancy Hart. Of those 7 children only one has a photo on the grave listings and that is of Ossian who became the 10th Governor of Florida in 1845. Was Isaiah or any of his siblings at this inaugural event and if so where are the photos?

Isaiah David Hart wore many hats…He was a planter, ranch owner, plantation owner, slave trader (not to his credit), Deputy U. S. Marshall in East Florida, Clerk of County Court in Duval, Commissioner of piolatage, railroad investor, 1939 member of the Whig Territorial senate and one of the founders of the Whig party. His children held different and various jobs in the city of Jacksonville and Ossian was the 10th Governor of Florida. Where in the world are the photos of this man, surely someone has at least one?

Could there be a photograph of Isaiah David Hart on the wall of some family member with them all calling him “Uncle What’s His Name”? I certainly wonder…..If you solve this, I’m in need of this photo. Please contact me…..

UPDATE: In Dena Snodgrass’ article in the JHS, Volume V “Papers”, she writes…”Listed among his belongings were a clock and a watch at $100. each; a portrait of himself at $25….” SO, there was a portrait of him at some point. I wonder on whose wall it can be found as “Uncle What’s His Name”?

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Florida Memory, Wikipedia, COJ., Jacksonville Historical Society Papers, Vol. V, Photos- Cracker Barrel Restaurant- 1-2-23

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December 31

It’s Okay To Cry. God Hears…

She was just sobbing, and not just sobbing. Her face was buried in her hands and though I could not hear her weep, I knew she was in a serious cry. I could see the moisture being wiped away from her eyes and her beautiful black face was agonizing. I wish I had known her well enough to ask if I could come to her and let her tell me. Tell me what though? Obviously she had lost a loved one and she was writhing in pain from this loss.

Today, I visited Evergreen Cemetery, the burial grounds of over 80, some say 90,000 souls. The trip was in an effort to get a birthdate for a story I’m working on. I knew the office had a vault that kept detailed records of internments so I was in hopes I could get a date settled in my mind and in addition, I could photograph the grave. After going to the office, getting info about the grave area, I found the grave for which I came. A map was given me and the area was found quickly and in a short time, I was headed to check out other parts of this beautiful area. It is a cemetery but a beautiful one.

After visiting several areas, I started out of the North gate rather than go back through the entire cemetery when I realized the North gate was locked; probably due to it being New Years Eve.

This caused me to round the back behind the mausoleum and there I saw this beautiful Black woman, probably in her 30’s sitting in front of a full area of graves rocking back and forth with her phone in her lap and hands on her face. She was crying and not a mere whimper. I mean she was grieving, crying and in pure lament.

I rolled down my window and asked if I could help her. She nodded, “no”. Then I said, But are you okay?” With a tearful cry, she moaned, “yes” and the full length of her fingers stretched across her eyes. I said “Precious, I’m so very sorry”. “ I just so sorry for your loss”. “I will pray for you and may God bless and be with you”.

Worrying I might be overstepping, I slowly drove away. I wanted to do more. I wanted to say more but was it right for me to even say anything? As I was photographing the front of the cemetery, I saw her car leave the gravesite. I reached out my hands and fingers toward her and prayed in the Name of Jesus for His power and work to take place in her precious life. He knows. He heard her.

See you tomorrow,

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December 27

Jacksonville’s Photographic History

DaVinci’s theory of the camera was documented in his sketch books along with other famous inventions. Some 270 drawings of the camera idea were in his sketchbooks.

One of the oldest camera photos of all time his of a view from a window in Le Gras, France in 1826. The portrait is now in public domain. One of the first documented photos in the United States of America was a self portrait of Robert Cornelias in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1839. This photo is also in public domain.

Just as an aside of information, the first uploaded photograph was by the founder of the internet, Tim Berners Lee on July 18, 1992.

It appears that the first President of the United States to be photographed was that of John Quincy Adams in 1843 in his Massachusetts’ home. This was taken only 4 year after the daguerreotype method was invented. There have been only 3 photographs of him known and one was reported by the Associated Press as being found in an antique shop which was believed to be taken in 1843 as his diary entry said on August 1, 1843, The photos themselves, however, he deemed “hideous” and “too true to the original.”) This is also the photo known to be found in an antique shop and bought for .50 cents. The photo below was believed to be taken around the same time.

Interestingly, it was John Quincy Adams to whom a letter for Jacksonville’s territorial request was sent but the petition denied. In August of 1822 however, Duval County was established and William Duval placed a ferry crossing the St. Johns River which led to the town charter for Jacksonville in 1832. I guess that photo found had not even been taken at that time.

Cooley photographed in the South as well

Based on documentation at the Library of Congress, photographs in Jacksonville, Florida seem to appear first in 1864 when photographer, Sam A. Cooley from the 10th Army Corps was in town to photograph the Civil War situation.

Noted film actor, Robert Vignola was a part of film history in a photograph documented in Jacksonville and in acting as well. According to the JHS, he came to Jacksonville in 1908.

Through the years, Jacksonville has had many historic photographs documenting the lives of its people, places and things. Are you a photographer? Do you have any interesting photos to share?

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Library of Congress, Wikipedia, Wikicommons, Jacksonville Historical Society, Florida Memory

Category: Art, People, Random Posts | LEAVE A COMMENT

November 14

Jacksonville Fair Frills

Every year, our family enters something into the Jacksonville Fair arts contest. It’s fun and free and you might even win a dollar or so. This year, I entered a cabinet door painted with chickens and won the $10 prize for “Best in Class”. How fun! Also entered was a drawing of the Jacksonville clock which received a blue ribbon. Yay.

As a “wanna-be” artist and being named “Nan”, I paint by the name of “Nan Gogh”. My cousin, Phyllis once teased me in that way and from then, Nan Gogh has been my assigned painting name.

Kathy, my sister has won multiple first place ribbons at the fair over the years and this year was no different, she received a first place for her drawing of Mollie, the family dog.

Ramey, my 9 year old grandson is now in his 2nd year of winnings with a first place this year for his photo of our family old Dr. wagon which was recently restored on our parent’s Homestead property.

Ah…What to do for next year…

See you tomorrow,

2022

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November 8

After the Wedding

After the wedding was over, we had a team of people willing to help. Chairs had to be stacked, food had to be covered and refrigerated, trash had to be gathered and all of the small details had to be put in place in order to leave the venue.

One of the last things to come down was the flower display which had been place over white painted antique doors. Now what to do with them. They still are resting over wooden benches in the chapel. We don’t know how to store or even wrap for possible future use.

Any ideas out there?

See you tomorrow,

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November 7

Barn and People

Kristie wanted a barn wedding. We had an old barn on my Father and Mother’s property but it was small, old and rickety. We decided to start fresh and so we did. We began in January of 2022 and set out the clear the land, demolish the barn and build a new one. We also determined that we would take the current camper barn and add onto it creating a chapel and we did.

The wedding began at 5:30 p.m. and by 6:30 p.m. everyone was rocking and rolling with the band. Great fun was had by all.

See you tomorrow,

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November 6

Wedding Clean Up

It took us some ten months to prepare for this wedding. It was over in about 35 minutes, we had a party and then the clean up. Wow and wow! We had everything from tables, chairs, food, and bags of garbage, incidentals and more to dispose of or store. The morning after began for Katie and her team at 8 am and they kept at it long into the afternoon.

We left it as neat and clean as possible and removed anything that the rodents might be interested in….To be sure the didn’t get into anything, we stored all trash bags inside the bathrooms until the next day when we could take it out to the trash pick up. Good thing too. We forgot one bag in the tent and the racoons had a hay day…( No pun intended).

See you tomorrow,

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November 5

We Had a Wedding

In December of 2021, Derrick, my daughter’s boyfriend proposed to her in St. Augustine on the mount of a horse and carriage. It was sweet and heart-felt. Fast forward to November 5th and they married among friends and family members. Congrats to the happy couple.

While they both live in Alabama, Kristie wanted to marry in her own hometown so she did. She was born and raised in Jacksonville and she came home to seal the deal. More to come….

See you tomorrow,

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