January 7

The Tombs of Founder Isaiah D. Hart

So, yesterday and based on author, Tim Gilmore’s 2015 article about Jacksonville founder, Isaiah D. Hart’s “Tomb Tower”, my grandson and I set out to find where Hart was first buried before being moved to Evergreen Cemetery.  Truly, it was a little scary as there were drifters and obviously noticeable people both White and Black, on some type of substance in the area. It was early in the morning and as many as 10 homeless were in and about the carcass of what is left of history where the old 1966 Heart of Jacksonville Motel once thrived.  Some were sleeping beneath the walls of the old block building and others gathered in a small group talking.  Some were literally “out of it” and others actually showed friendly to my 9 year old grand and myself.  They saw us with cameras and for once I did not click when I saw them, out of respect I suppose.

Laura, State and Orange Streets

At the borders of “Laura Street between State and Orange Streets”, the place remains a morass of “social rot and desperation” as described by Gilmore on 9/26/2015. So, man’s life without God has not changed. It is a reminder, I told my grandson that “we all need a Savior to save us from ourselves. “

It’s hard to envision but it was there the 35 foot  tall “Old Hart Monument” as described in the 1992 Jacksonville Historical Society journal once stood.  By the photograph in the journal, it appears brick and was fenced. 

Jacksonville Historical Society, 1992

After spending time on this old motel block near Confederate Park, we drove to Evergreen Cemetery where we saw the now  approximate 12 x 30 x 60 inch flat tomb where Hart and his family were moved.  It says “ The Family Tomb of Isaiah David Hart The Founder of Jacksonville”.

Speaking of life without God.  Hart owned slaves and was constantly working in an effort to make money.  It is said that he became “respectable” after founding Jacksonville. I hope that meant he found Christ because while there is still a tomb no matter its location, he’s not there. ( If you know what I mean).  

See you tomorrow,

Sources: Jacksonville Historical Society Journal, Jaxpsychogeo.com, personal visit.

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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.

“Uncle Whats His Name”-Cracker Barrel

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”.

Uncle “What’s His Name- Cracker Barel

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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