|
(352) 442-2736
E-mail:
Susan@HernandoInvestments.com
INTERESTED IN THE FISHING?
CLICK HERE
1767. Native Americans establish a
settlement named "Chukochatty" by 1767 [The Seminoles of Florida].
1823. "Chicuchaty" appears on a map.
Jan. 25, 1834. An act to create
Hillsborough County is approved. The description of the boundary of
the new county mentions "the Indian village of Toachatka, 40
miles from Tampa."
Dec. 23, 1836. Construction begins on the
fort that would become Fort Dade, at the intersection of Fort King
Road and the Withlacoochee River, near present day Lacoochee.
Mar. 6, 1837. At Fort Dade General Thomas
S. Jesup and five Seminole chiefs and representatives sign the
capitulation in which the Seminoles agreed to emigrate.
Dec. 2, 1838. Fort Cross is established
north of Brooksville.
1839. Fort Dade is abandoned.
1840. Sen. Thomas Hart Benton introduces
the Armed Occupation Act, which would give title to 160 acres of
land, guns, and ammunition, tools, seed, and maintenance for a year
to any veteran who would clear five acres, built a house and live on
the land and protect it from Native Americans for a period of five
years. [It failed to pass.]
About 1840. Fort DeSoto is established to
give protection to settlers from Native Americans.
1842. Maj. John D. Parsons constructs a
home on the coast at the Weeki Wachee River. He is considered the
founder of Bayport.
1842. The Law family settles in Spring
Hill.
Aug. 4, 1842. The Armed Occupation Act is
signed into law. [The act encouraged settlers to occupy, clear and
use up to 160 acres of remote land, provided it was not within two
miles of a military post. It made available 200,000 acres of land.
The new version of the bill eliminated the provisions for free food,
seed, and weapons.]
1842-1843. Isaac Garrason carries about
100 Armed Occupation Act Land Permits to the Newnansville East
Florida Land Office to be processed and returned to the settlers.
[Source: FHQ 40:47, Armed Occupation Act of 1842, James W.
Covington]
1843. William S. Coffee marries Elizabeth
Allen. It is the first marriage in the county.
1843. A. Devours is appointed a minister
by the Methodist Conference. He is the first minister in the county. [The 1850 Hernando County census shows John C.
Atkins as a 55-year-old Methodist preacher.]
Feb. 24, 1843. Hernando County is created
from the southern part of Alachua county and parts of Hillsborough
and Mosquito counties.
Nov. 6, 1843. An election is held in
Hernando County. The three precincts are Chocochattee, Homosassa,
and Toachadka. The results were as follows:
-
Representative: James Gibbons 33
(elected), William Cooley 25, Cyprian T. Jenkins 18
-
Surveyor: Richard R. Crum 63 (elected),
Michael Garrason 16
-
Clerk of the County Court: Isaac
Garrason 33 (elected), A. Stringer 29, James A. Boyet 20
-
Sheriff: Edward McVane Harville 66
(elected)
-
Coroner : Rufus Hoyt 52 (elected),
David B. Turner 21
1844. The state legislature required that
court be held at the home of Isaac Garrison at Chuckochattee. [The
county seat was subsequently moved to Fort DeSoto, where it remained
until 1853.]
Mar. 6, 1844. The legislature approves an
act altering the boundary of Hernando County:
Mar. 6, 1844. The legislature approves an
act authorizing "that from and after the passage of this act, the
name of Hernando county, in this Territory, be changed, and that
said county, from henceforth, be called and designated, as the
county of Benton."
About 1845. The Wall and Peterson families
settle in Spring Hill.
Mar. 3, 1845. Florida becomes the
twenty-seventh state.
1846. A map shows Ft. Cooper, Chocochattee,
and Fort Dade. It shows the Crystal and Weekiwachee rivers.
June 13, 1846. The Tallahassee
Floridian reports that the Benton County grand jury has called
for adherence to the patrol law. The report warned citizens and
officials that slaves had "too much privilege in carrying arms, and
more particularly violating the Sabbath day."
Sept. 25, 1848. A powerful hurricane
strikes the Tampa Bay area.
1849. The Army rebuilds Fort Dade near the
present site of Community General Hospital in Dade City.
1850. A map shows Homosassa, Ft. Cross,
Augusta, Melendez, and Ft. Dade.
1850. The population of Hernando county is
604 whites and 322 black slaves. Settlers were concentrated in the
communities of Buddys Lake, Chocochatta, Annuttalagga, and Melendez
(Brooksville).
1850. Frederick Eugene Lykes, who had been
a teacher in South Carolina, builds the Spring Hill school, said to
be the first school in Hernando County.
Dec. 24, 1850. The legislature approves an
act changing the name of the county to Hernando County.
1851. A steam-driven sugar mill begins
operation at Homosassa. [In 1864 the plantation house was burned by
Union soldiers.]
Dec. 1854. The legislature chooses Bay
Port to be the county seat, directing the move to occur after June
1, 1855.
June 1, 1855. The court house is moved
from Pierceville to Bayport.
Oct. 13, 1855. The Florida Peninsular
reports that Smart, a slave owned by Mr. Blocker of Ichepuckesassa,
drowned in the Withlacoochee River on Sept. 1.
1856. A map shows Homosassa, Augusta,
Melendez, Springhill, and Ft. Taylor. Another 1856 map shows
Homosassa, Ft. Cooper, Augusta, Ft. Lindsey, Bayport, Springhill,
Pierceville, Ft. Taylor, Spring Hill, Ft. Dade.
May 14, 1856. Seminoles besiege the
isolated cabin of Capt. Robert Bradly and his family near Darby. Two
of his children were killed. A historical marker at the intersection
of SR 581 and 578-A (Darby Road) reads as follows:
THE BRADLEY MASSACRE - On the evening of
May 14, 1856, one-third of a mile northeast of this spot a
Seminole war party attacked the home of Captain Robert Duke
Bradley, a member of the Florida Foot Volunteers and one of the
first white settlers south of the Withlacoochee River. Two of the
Bradley children were killed before the Indians were driven off.
This skirmish took place during the Third Seminole War, the last
Indian uprising east of the Mississippi. Sponsors: Florida Board
of Parks and Historic Memorials In Cooperation With Pioneer
Florida Museum Association
May 22, 1856. Rep. Preston Brooks of South
Carolina attacks abolitionist Sen. Charles Sumner with his cane.
[Later that year, the citizens of Hernando County chose to rename
the new county seat Brooksville.]
May 31, 1856. A committee of citizens asks
Gen. J. Carter at Tampa to send a detachment of soldiers into the
county because of concerns about Indian attacks.
July 19, 1856. The Florida Peninsular
reports that Hillsborough and Hernando counties have been deluged
with rain.
Oct. 15, 1856. Land is transferred to the
county for the establishment of a new county seat, which was named
Brooksville.
Dec. 27, 1856. The Governor signs
legislation moving the court house to Brooksville.
July 11, 1857. The Florida Peninsular
carries an advertisement: "Sealed Proposals will be received by the
Commissioners of Hernando County to build a court house. Said
building to be 50 by 35 feet, and two stories high. First story 10
feet and the second story 15 feet, between joints. The windows to be
furnished with good substantial rolling slat blinds, painted green.
Perry G. Wall, Judge of Probate, & Ex-efficio Pres't Board of Com."
The bid called for the construction to be completed by Sept. 1,
1858.
1859. A post office directory lists these
post offices in Hernando County: Bay Port, Cedar Tree, Fort Dade,
Fort Taylor, Pierceville.
1860. The population of Hernando county is
1200.
Oct. 20, 1860. The Florida Peninsular
reports that the citizens of Hernando County last Saturday hanged
Hemp, a slave belonging to the estate of Albert Clarke. The
African-American
confessed that he was promised $200 by James Boyd, a stepson of the
deceased, and $100 by Mrs. Clarke, the wife of the deceased, to kill
Mr. Clarke. [On Nov. 3, 1860, the newspaper reported that the
investigation into the murder resulted in the commitment of James
Boyd, the stepson.]
1864. During the Civil War, Hernando
County primarily contributed foodstuffs, cotton, and lumber to the
Confederacy. Although Union ships imposed a blockade on the port of
Bayport, runners enjoyed a great deal of success--enough to lead the
Union in June 1864 to order some 150-250 troops to destroy
Confederate stockpiles in the county. On July 7, 1864, Bayport was
shelled by Union ships and the customs house built there in 1854 was
burned to the ground. An expedition marched northward from Anclote
River to Brooksville, meeting some resistance from assembled
Confederate troops hastily organized to protect the city. The
Federal troops won this engagement (known locally as the
"Brooksville Raid") and marched to Bayport, where they and the
auxiliary force landing from gunboats sacked Rebel operations. The
skirmish between Union "raiders" and local Confederates is reenacted
annually in the county. Union troops marched northeast to within a
mile of Brooksville and then turned west to rendezvous at Bayport
with other Union forces. Along the way, they raided the plantations
of David Hope, William B. Hooker, Thomas C. Ellis, Leroy G. Lesley
and Aaron T. Frierson.
May 28, 1864. In a letter to the State
Comptroller, Sheriff and Tax Collector John L. Peterson describes
conditions in Hernando County:
In consequence of the operations of the
enemy in this county and in South Florida every man who could use
a musket was placed in service. A good deal of time has been lost
in scouting after the enemy and in running Negroes from their
reach. My fellow citizens thinking it of more importance to defend
the country than to assess taxes which could not be collected if
the country fell under the control of the enemy. This county has
been partially under the control of the enemy in so far as all as
all persons who did not flee up the country had to take up arms in
its defense. An attack is expected here in Brooksville Thursday
next and preparations are being made to repel it. We will fight
them though they out number us three to one with what success
remains to be seen.
1867-1868. There are 261 whites and 176
blacks registered to vote in Hernando County.
Early 1868. A Hernando court permits
Adeline Frierson to collect wages from the employer of an
African-American on
the ground that she owned him. [The judgment was set aside by the
military commander.]
Feb. 1869. Two black men are lynched in
Hernando County
Aug. 11, 1869. The Florida Peninsular
reports that Henry Gideons, age 14, of Hernando County was murdered
while tending the sheep of Anderson Mayo, by Coleman Wilson and his
son-in-law Laiborne, both colored. Both were lynched.
Oct. 13, 1869. The Florida Peninsular
reports that Joe Byrd, colored, convicted of killing two men in
Hernando County, was sentenced by the circuit court at Brooksville
to be hanged.
Dec. 22, 1869. The Florida Peninsular
reports that Joseph Byrd, colored, was hanged at Brooksville for the
murder of Washington Scott.
1870. The population of Hernando county is
2938.
1870. A list of Hernando County post
offices has: Bay Port, Cedar Tree, Fort Dade, Fort Taylor,
Pierceville.
About 1870. Theodore Sylvester Coogler,
who was originally brought here from South Carolina by Frederick
Lykes to teach the Spring Hill School, becomes the first
Superintendent of Public Instruction.
Jan. 4, 1871. The Florida Peninsular
reports that William Mickler of Brooksville killed a negro who
threatened him.
Jan. 10, 1871. The name of the Pierceville
post office is changed to Brooksville.
1874. The name Brooksville appears on a
map.
1875. The annual report indicates there
are 17 schools in the county, with attendance of 475. Expenditures
for the schools were $1,425.
Sept. 1, 1877. The Sunland Tribune
reports that Mary Tanner, who was the black woman reportedly with
Rev. Sinclair on the night he was murdered, gave a deposition about
the Hernando murders in which she named twenty members of prominent
families in the murder. She said the murder of Sinclair occured at
about 10 p.m. and through the moonlight she saw a crowd of about 20
men on horseback and armed. After they were surrounded by these men,
Sinclair recognized several of them and called them by name. The men
then covered their faces with their hats. Sinclair was shot, and in
the confusion that followed Mary Turner escaped. When asked whether
she had been at the coroner's inquest, she replied that she had, and
that she knew several of the men on the jury were involved with the
shooting. Her interviewer indicated that she was intelligent and
articulate. She had lived in Brooksville all her life and knew the
men she accused. Mary Turner alleged that Mr. Saxon, Mr. Rhodes, Mr.
Center, Mr. McIntosh, Mr. Hennes/Hennis, Mr. O'Berry, William and
Robert Nicks were all involved. She claimed that George Cross had
shot Sinclair.
Sept. 29, 1877. The Hernando County court
house is destroyed in a fire at 1 a.m.
Oct. 6, 1877. The Sunland Tribune
reports that the Hernando County court house at Brooksville was
burned. All county records were destroyed. The object of the fire
was to prevent a fall term of the circuit court from being held to
investigate Hernando County murders.
Oct. 13, 1877. The Sunland Tribune
reports that Hernando County is in chaos as members of prominent
families are accused in acts of murder and arson.
1878. A second court house is built,
constructed of lumber sawed at Theodore S. Coogler's mill, the first
to operate in the county
May 10, 1879. The Sunland Tribune
reports the Hernando County court house has been torched by fire but
the contents and records were saved. [The flames were discovered at
3 a.m. on May 1. The building was being used as the temporary
offices of County Clerk C. C. Keathley and Sheriff J. B. Mickler. It
was later determined that the person starting the fire had entered
the building through a back door and set the fire on or near the
sheriff's desk, perhaps with the intent of destroying his records.
Keathley and John Hale were credited with saving the building and
records.]
May 17, 1879. The Sunland Tribune
reports that Hernando County commissioners are offering a $2,000
reward for information about the burning of the court house.
June 5, 1879. The Sunland Tribune
reports that Judge William B. Center was shot and killed near
Brooksville and carries an editorial complaining about crime in the
county, the burning of the court house and killing of witnesses. [It
was believed that Center was about to identify the person
responsible for the burning of the courthouse and he was killed to
keep him quiet.]
1880. The population of Hernando county is
4248.
1880. The Florida Crescent, the
first newspaper to be printed in Hernando County is established by
Col. Fred L. Robertson
July 2, 1881. The Sunland Tribune
reports that children of Sheriff J. Bart Mickler were murdered by
Sidney King, colored. On July 16 the Sunland Tribune reported
that the youngest son, Bloxham, was recovering from wounds, but on
Aug. 6 reported that he had died. [The Bartow Observant
reported on July 7, 1881, "the culprit, a black named Sidney King
was working out a fine for burglary with the Sheriff, but suddenly
left his job, entered the Sheriff's house and began plundering it.
When King was discovered by Mickler's three sons, he shot two and
cut the other's throat. When the Sheriff returned home, the man took
flight and fled. He was pursued and captured by the indignant
citizens and hung."]
1882. The Fort Dade Messenger is
established.
July 6, 1882. The Sunland Tribune
reports that Henry Turner, Jim Turner, and Rube Turner, all colored,
were killed in a racial riot started by them. [A later account says:
"In 1885 (sic) three black Turner brothers were shot to death by
whites at the County Courthouse when they revolted against a public
work program. In those days men aged 17-45 were required to work on
county roads for six days, or pay 50 cents a day waiver fee. The
Turners refused either route when their shift came up and marched
with their guns to the courthouse, where a brief 'inquiry' was
followed by a gunfight. Accounts indicate two of the brothers were
killed in the courthouse and a third on the courthouse steps trying
to escape."]
Dec. 25, 1883. A black man named Fagan is
lynched for murderous assault in Hernando, according to a web site.
About 1884. A second newspaper, the
Brooksville Register, is founded by Col. Austin S. Mann.
1886-1887. The Florida State Gazetteer
and Business Directory lists these post offices: Add, Anclote,
Arlington, Bay Port, Blanton, Brooksville, Carmel, Chipco, Crystal
River Dade City, Earnestville, Ellerslie, Fairmount, Floral City,
Fort Dade, Gulf Key, Hernando, Homosassa, Hudson, Istachatta,
Lecanto, Lenard, Loyce, Macon, Mannfield, Mount Lee, Oakdale,
Oriole, Orleans, Port Richey, Rose Hill, Rural, Saint Thomas, San
Antonio, Stage Pond, Tomkinsville, Tuckertown, Twin Lakes, Wiscon.
June 2, 1887. Florida Governor E. A. Perry
signs into law "A Bill to Divide the County of Hernando and make
from the counties of Hernando, Citrus and Pasco."
Hernando County Chamber of Commerce
Hernando County Business Development
Hernando County Planning Department
Hernando County Events Calendar
|
You may now search the entire
Florida MLS System for commercial and residential
properties!
Click the button below and input
your criteria for your perfect dream home!
|
(352) 442-2736
E-mail:
Susan@HernandoInvestments.com
RAI,
Realty Associates, Inc
3088 Broad St.
Brooksville, FL 34604
Office
Phone:(352)583-2600
|
