Thought for the Day, or any Day

“For where is the man that has incontestable evidence of the truth of all that he holds, or of the falsehood of all he condemns; or can say that he has examined to the bottom all his own, or other men's opinions? The necessity of believing without knowledge, nay often upon very slight grounds, in this fleeting state of action and blindness we are in, should make us more busy and careful to inform ourselves than constrain others.”
― John Locke, An Essay Concerning Human Understanding

Tobacco Barn

It turns out that the log cabin I wrote and posted two images of was a tobacco barn from the early 1900's.  This black & white image gives it a much more solemn touch.

Another Historic Church in Northern Florida

Jackson County's best example of private preservation of historic sites can be found in 
Dellwood. The community's old Methodist Church, long a landmark in eastern Jackson 
County, has been beautifully restored. The grounds 

are open to the public and a marker at the front
outlines the history of the church and community.

Historic Log Cabin

Exploring once more in northern Florida and came across this historic log cabin. The lumber company that had stripped the ground apparently came across it and did no damage. I hope the historical society hears of it.

19th Century Church

In my travels last week, I came across a quaint old church dated back to the 1800's.  Apparently, it has served as both a Methodist and Baptist Church.

Florida's 4th Governor

Madison Starke Perry was Florida’s fourth Governor.  Born in Lancaster County, SC, Mr. Perry moved to Alachua County and became a prosperous plantation owner.  His plantation was located about six miles east of Gainesville, in the area of present-day Rochelle.  The community of Rochelle was located directly on the Railroad and old Stagecoach lines, and was the hub of business activity.  Mr. Perry’s farm was also on the site of the first civilian fort in Florida during the Indian Wars.

Mr. Perry was elected to the Florida House of Representatives in 1849, and to the Florida Senate in 1850.  Gaining a wide reputation as an orator, Mr. Perry, a Democrat, was elected fourth governor of Florida, serving from 1857 to 1861.

Major developments occurred during Mr. Perry’s term.  The Florida Railroad was completed from Fernandina to Cedar Key, the border dispute was settled with Georgia, and the expansion of slavery in Florida brought related unrest.

Governor Perry called for the expansion of the Florida Militia and the expansion of military resources in response to the slavery issue.  As the Presidential election of 1860 neared, Governor Perry warned that secession might be Florida’s only option, should the Republican Party be victorious.  Governor Perry recommended that a convention be called to consider secession, and on January 10, 1861, the Convention adopted the Ordinance of Secession. 

Governor Perry quickly ordered the evacuation of all U.S. Troops from Florida military installations, and be replaced by state militia troops.  At the expiration of his Gubernatorial term in October, 1861, Mr. Perry joined the Confederate Army and was soon elected colonel of the Seventh Regiment of the Florida infantry.

Due to illness, Mr. Perry was forced to resign his post, and returned to his plantation in 1863, where he died in 1865.  Mr. Perry is buried at Oak Ridge Cemetery along with his wife Martha Starke Perry, a daughter, Sally Perry, and a son Madison Starke Perry Jr., also a Confederate veteran.   The land for Oak Ridge Cemetery was personally set-aside for the community by Mr. Perry in 1854.

Road Trip

Way up in Northwest Florida, where EST meets CST, is the abandoned town of Parramore. The only thing I found left is an abandoned church next to a cemetery. I've been told that people in neighboring communities do the upkeep of the cemetery. I hope to learn more soon.

An obscure note of Florida history

In 1881, an industrialist/financier purchased 4 million(yes 4 million) acres of a penniless Florida for 1 million dollars. It was his dream to dry up the Everglades for farmland and the creation of cities. Do you know who I'm talking about? Why is his name so obscure in Florida history?