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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

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

January 1

Hope for Jacksonville in 2023

“Visit Jacksonville’s” first line on Google Search is “Perfectly positioned in Northeast Florida, Jacksonville…”. I love this city. I love her skyline, the waterways, beaches, bridges, woodsy areas, clock, churches and history. I love that the St. Johns river which runs right through the city is only one of a handful of rivers flowing North. (The Nile, Ob, Yenisey and Red river). I love it that Jacksonville’s land area is one of the largest in the nation and that we are a Christian city. (We are if we will just live it out”.)

Jacksonville is also most known for its parks with the largest park system in the nation and its beauty. What a beautiful city we have. Recently, Forbes named Jacksonville, Florida as the 2nd best place to live in the United States.

Of course and certainly could be “the best”.

Jacksonville is considered a city of religious diversity with many faiths represented. According to WJCTNews, Christianity accounts for 94.4 percent of the religiously identified population”. Faith matters in Jacksonville so with that said, I hope and pray that your 2023 year will be filled with God and His work in you. If 94% of Jacksonville would just live out the gift God gave each person, this city could live peaceably before each other, reduce crime, improve our families, homes and community all in one year. It is my God’s power and grace things happen, nothing we do “lest we boast”.

Let the Holy Spirit of God have His way in your life this year. Live for Jesus.( And yes, you’ll err but go forward with apologies to God to do better). “There is none righteous, no not one”.

“But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.” Romans 8:11

Source: bibleknowing-jesus.com. WJCTNEWS, Visit Jacksonville

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, Holidays | LEAVE A COMMENT

January 1

San Marco Theatre Closed Today

Talking about some history! On the inside lobby of the San Marco Theatre stands a gazillion-ton masterpiece. (It’s huge!) (It’s heavy!). (It’s solid!) That is to say also, there is what some call one of the best film projectors ever made. It has been called a “cinographic treasure” and was used to project the movie to the screen. One can be purchased on eBay for upwards $3995. But the shipping fee? Hummmmmm.

Here is a quote from an almost 4 decade experienced projectionist about the Brenkert Light Projector:

“I am a retired projectionist (39 years experience) and prior to that, in the late 1940’s I was briefly employed at the Brenkert Light Projection Company (Or “Brenkert Light” or “BLPC” as we called it) in my hometown of Detroit (275 miles southeast of Petoskey!).

Yes (in my prejudiced opinion) the Brenkerts were possibly the BEST 35mm projector heads ever made in the U.S.A.”

The San Marco Theatre was built in 1938 about the time this piece of equipment was becoming well-known, loved and used in the movie industry. Today, the one in the lobby stands as a testament to progress as the Brenkert was once the famed projector where now, a small computer along with a small boxed-size projector is used.

Over the years, the theatre has served Jacksonville well. The Brenkert projector was the equipment that the famed Civil War movie, Gone With The Wind was shown using at its premier in Atlanta. I wonder how many times it was shown at the San Marco Theatre in Jacksonville?

The last movies shown at the San Marco was Love Actually and How the Grinch Stole Christmas. While I was there yesterday, people were just walking in, looking around and talking about the loss of this iconic movie theatre. One man said that he found it interesting that he moved back home to care for his ailing and ageing father who was the “ultimate Grinch” so he was a believer in the character of The Grinch Who Stole Christmas.

TSG bought the San Marco property in 2022 for $3.35 million from businessmen, Ryan and Jonathan Davis, Frank Sanchez and Andrew Oetjen. The new owners indicated that they would leave the outside facade as is-Iconic. I just wonder if the deal came with the Brenkert projector?

See you tomorrow,

Sources: film-tech. Com , Jaxdailyrecord, Robert Sprague- 1-1-23

Category: Buildings, Business, Neighborhoods | LEAVE A COMMENT

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,

Category: Faith, People, Random Posts | Comments Off

December 29

Matanzas National Monument

Jean Ribault was a French naval officer serving under Admiral Gaspard de Coligny who attempted to colonize in Florida near the mouth of the St. Johns River at Fort Caroline.

With some 150 colonists, he landed on Florida soil and claimed the land for France. As a Huguenot Protestant, his belief in God was strong. In 1565 he founded the Fort Caroline settlement on the St. Johns River , even placing a monument there.

The Spanish who had their own claims to Florida at St. Augustine eventually scattered his group and captured Ribault. The name Matanzas is Spanish for “slaughters” named after the1565 slaughter of Jean Ribault and his group. Being Huguenot, they were as Protestant heretics.

The fort at Matanzas is small but accommodating. You can get their free on a boat ride set forth by the Florida State Parks system. The trip is about an hour long but you can stay longer and there are tables for picnicking.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, Parks, Travel, Visit This | Comments Off

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 | Comments Off

December 21

Jacksonville- “Doing The Most Good”

Don’t we all want to “Do The Most Good”? While shopping at Publix, “Where “Shopping is a pleasure”, I met up with Dell after putting a meager amount into the kettle. ( “Every penny counts”, of course). Actually, while walking completely past her and almost to the car, realized I had some bills in my pocket so I returned to give. She was so happy to have a donor and smiled with great action and verbal gratitude.

The kettle has been around since the 1890’s. Back in that day, a captain had seen someone drop money in a kettle to help the poor. He took the idea for his own and today it is a staple of this organization especially at Christmas.

The Salvation Army was founded by William and Catherine Booth in east London. The movement spread by way of many of its followers of the faith, one being Eliza Shirley who verbally begged the founder to allow it to go to the USA. Through a turn of events and with a team of 8 including George S. Railton and seven ladies, it was brought to America.

The Salvation Army has been in Jacksonville since 1891, a time when the streetcar era was making way to welcome the railroad boom. Only a little over 10 years earlier than the beginning of the Salvation Army’s start on the East Coast, came Henry Plant’s introduction of the street car. This then, moved toward his railroad” intro into the city. This very act made it possible for great amounts of movement, travel, growth and development in and around the city of Jacksonville. This new growth brought a need for an organization of hope, giving of resources and a heart for the homeless and destitute.

The Salvation Army’s mission statement reads:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian Church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and o meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The Salvation Army of Jacksonville provides the following services:
Social Services
Towers Center of Hope
Towers Center of Hope Housing for Men
Red Shield Lodge Shelter for Single Women and Families
Pathway of Hope Program
Holiday Assistance

If you have a heart for this mission statement, you might be interested in taking part in this ministry and do more good.

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Florida Times Union, Google Search, Salvation Army

Category: Churches, Faith, Finances, Holidays | LEAVE A COMMENT

December 20

Christmas Time in Restaurants-Day 20

This tree is in the Fruit Cove Loop Restaurant located on State Road 13 North. There are 10 Loop Restaurants in Jacksonville, Florida. The very first Loop opened in 1981. There are Loop restaurants in Florida and North Carolina.

On their website they write “We’ve gotta whole lotta love.” The Loop is known for juicy hamburgers and tomato bisque soup.

See you tomorrow,

Category: Food, Holidays | Comments Off

December 19

Go to All Jaguars Wearing # 88

There have been at least eight number 88 football players since the Jaguars began their first season. Allen Hurns: 2014-20-17, Danny Noble: 2-013, Zach Potter: 2009-2012, Joe Zelenka: 2002-2008, Damon Jones: 1997-2001, Kendrick Bullard: 1996, Ty Hallock: 1996, Craig Keith: 1995.

I found this framed Jaguars poster at the Goodwill today and wondered the year the drawing was made. Things like Altell” Stadium were in the background, as was a signature of Damon Jones, # 88.

Altell Stadium was named Jacksonville Municipal Stadium from 1995-1996 and 2007-2010. It was changed to Alltell Stadium for naming rights in 1997 and 2018 to TIAA Bank Field, then to the present.

My guess is, this poster was from 1997.

Go Jaguars and blessings to all Number 88 players including Damon Jones whose signature is in this drawing. Is this find valuable? Let me know….

See you tomorrow,

Category: Sports | Comments Off

December 17

Wreaths Across America

Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom.

Freedom is not free. Someone paid the ultimate price and others served with a cost as well.

Alec P. Vaughan, Jr. My Dad.

The Wreaths Across America program happened here in Jacksonville and across the United States on December 17, 2022. The mission is stated above and is a reminder that we must love and protect our freedom.

This year, my 9 year old grandson participated in the laying of wreaths and was able to lay a wreath on the grave of my Father, a World War II vet and a cousin. He also laid a wreath on that of Mema .He laid a wreath by Alec P. Vaughan, Jr., my Dad, his great grandfather and a cousin, Richard Torres. He also laid one by his Mema, Emily Sweet Vaughan and her husband, George Sweet.

There were ceremonies across America including at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. near, Washington, DC., The Nation’s Capital and the boys had a ceremony at the Jacksonville Memory Gardens cemetery.

Remember: Our Fallen U. S. Veterans. Honor: Those Who Serve. Teach: Your Children The Value of Freedom. 12-17-22

See you tomorrow,

Category: Faith, Family, Military | Comments Off