We were married on a very hot day 22 years ago, in Washington Oaks State Park, Florida. Shortly after our wedding and honeymoon, the world around us burst into flames as our little slice of paradise caught fire, in what would become known as the Fire Storm of 1998.1
Washington Oaks State Park is part of what was once known as the Bella Vista Plantation, owned by Joseph M. Hernandez. He also owned Mala Compra, which is nestled in the Hammock south of Washington Oaks. Beyond Mala Compra, he owned St. Joesph’s Plantation, in what is now known as Palm Coast.2
The original Mala Compra is no longer standing, but a county-owned park with a small public building stands in its place. We had our wedding reception there, despite the fact Mala Compra means “bad buy.” (I honestly think he got a “good buy” when he married me!)
One hundred and eighty-five years ago, these plantations were part of an immense war in what is known as the Second Seminole Indian War or the Florida Wars.3 Plantation owner Joseph Hernandez rose through the ranks to become a Brigadier General.4 I have spent the past few evenings reading his letters to the Adjutant General’s Office and have been amazed at his compassion for the Indians and his passion to protect the people in the area he called home.
Many would not think these letters could be a genealogical gold mine, but they are. They are digitized and available at the National Archives and also on Fold3.
This 9 Mar 1840 letter to the AGO included a copy of a letter written by landowner Edwin T. Jenckes, who lived roughly 20 miles North of the plantations owned by General Hernandez.6 It also included the hand-drawn map above and a letter (originally sent to Col. Twiggs) sent to Edwin, signed by the people of the area.7
In 1840, the war was in full swing and our area of Florida was not excluded. Edwin writes in his letter about the daily struggles and the abandonment of all of the settlements if they do not get troops stationed in the area.8
“For my own part I will not struggle but endeavor to get off to Cuba or elsewhere whilst something’s left.”9
Edwin Jenckes
The next part of General Hernandez’s letter included the letter written to Col. Twiggs by the people of the area. This letter gives an intimate look at the lives these people led and the hardships they were facing during the war. They pleaded their cause for protection:
“The recent murders in our neighborhood have
convinced us that we cannot continue to cultivate our lands without
great danger to our lives + property so long as the forts are so distant
from us. South of Moultrie there is not a solitary settler +
we believe the troops are ample to protect all from that point
North if somewhat differently stationed.“10
At this time, the forts were south of St. Augustine and the Mala Compra Plantation was being used for troops, and the St Joesph Plantation was being used as a field hospital.11 Fort Fulton had just been erected and Fort Peyton (the site of the surrender of Osceola), was still in use. None of these forts afforded the protections needed north of St. Augustine.
If it is not in your power to employ with our wishes will
Letter to Col. Twiggs from the people of northern St. Johns.
you have the goodwill to submit this communication to Genl Taylor
we shall await with much anxiety your reply as we are most
desirous to remain at our homes + shall be obliged to abandon them
if we do not receive the requested protections.12
Since this is a copy that was submitted to General Hernandez, these are not the actual signatures of the people. However, it is a look at the people who lived, worked, and loved the land of St. Johns County during 1840. On a side note, Ann M. Hernandez is the wife of Joseph Hernandez, the General, and S. Hill Williams is his stepson.14
In your research, finding context helps build the story of your ancestor’s lives. If your ancestor served in the military, find out the commanding officers and look for the letters they may have written to the Adjutant General’s Office within NARA. Likewise, if battles took place in an area where your ancestor lived, take note of the units who were involved in that battle and look for the officers. They may have given details of the area in their letters that will bring context to the life your ancestor lived.
Happy anniversary to my husband and may we have many more years to spend together!
“Fires Storm 1998 the Story,” REACT 4800, (http://www.react4800.org/photos/fs1998_story.html : accessed 20 May 2020). ↩
William Ryan, “St. Joseph’s Plantation,” Flagler County Historical Society, (https://www.flaglercountyhistoricalsociety.com/st.joseph/st.joseph.html : accessed 20 May 2020). ↩
“The Seminole Wars,” Florida Department of State, (https://dos.myflorida.com/florida-facts/florida-history/seminole-history/the-seminole-wars/ : accessed 20 May 2020). ↩
Randy Jaye, “Joseph Marion Hernandez’s St. Joseph’s Plantation,” Historyspeak, (http://www.historyspeak.com/Joseph%20Marion%20Hernandez’s%20St.%20Joseph’s%20Plantation_by%20Randy%20Jaye_September%202019.pdf : accessed 20 May 2020). ↩
“National Archives Catalog,” database, The National Archives (https://catalog.archives.gov/id/84605994 : accessed 20 May 2020), entry for Hernandez, Joseph M – District of Columbia – 1840, File No. H123; citing Letters Received, 1805 – 1889; Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1762 – 1984, record group 94; National Archives at Washington, DC. ↩
Ibid. ↩
Ibid. ↩
Ibid. ↩
Ibid. ↩
Ibid. ↩
William Ryan, “St. Joseph’s Plantation,” Flagler County Historical Society, (https://www.flaglercountyhistoricalsociety.com/st.joseph/st.joseph.html : accessed 20 May 2020). ↩
“National Archives Catalog,” database, The National Archives (https://catalog.archives.gov/id/84605994 : accessed 20 May 2020), entry for Hernandez, Joseph M – District of Columbia – 1840, File No. H123; citing Letters Received, 1805 – 1889; Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1762 – 1984, record group 94; National Archives at Washington, DC. ↩
“National Archives Catalog,” database, The National Archives (https://catalog.archives.gov/id/84605994 : accessed 20 May 2020), entry for Hernandez, Joseph M – District of Columbia – 1840, File No. H123; citing Letters Received, 1805 – 1889; Records of the Adjutant General’s Office, 1762 – 1984, record group 94; National Archives at Washington, DC. ↩
Sisco Deen, “Joseph Hernandez,” Flagler County Families, (http://www.flaglercountyfamilies.com/Hernandez,%20Joseph%20Marion.html : accessed 20 May 2020). ↩
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