Spanish Land Grant

Spanish Land Grant to Spicer Christopher, my 4th gr grandfather, for 100 acres on Talbot Island in 1807. (Courtesy Florida Memory Archives )

Spicer Christopher was the son of John and Martha Watson Christopher.  He married Mary Greenwood, daughter of William and Elizabeth Bryan of land in what is now Nassau County, including all of Talbot Island.  He had fine cattle, pedigreed mares, and raised horses.  He was a Protestant but under the Spanish rule had to swear allegiance to the Spanish Monarch, and turned Catholic. 

He died in 1811 and asked to be buried by the rites of the Church of England.  He left his wife half of his livestock, 29 slaves, and the right to live on any of his plantation for life. 

Son John Bluet Christopher got five slaves and the San Cristóbal Plantation on the St. Johns River. Son William Bluet Christopher got five slaves and the Old Town Homestead on the St. Mary's.  Lewis got five slaves and the north half of Talbot Island called San Carlos.

Daughter Elizabeth who married John Houston 1st, my 3rd great grandparents, got the southern half of Talbot Island called Santa Maria Plantation. 

All in all, Spicer owned and operated five plantations. "Old township" on the St. Mary's; Santa Maria at the mouth of Nassau River; Isabella Plantation, now known as Punta de Hazzard or Point Hazzard; San Carlos, North of and near St. John's River still called San Carlos.

Source: Helen B Hodges; Helen Jones Smitherman: June Elvington Smith in "Pioneers of Florida's First Coast" Vol I pg. 118 compiled by The Southern Genealogist Exchange Society.

Big Talbot Island

We took a little side trip to visit Big Talbot Island, Florida on our way to Cocoa where we stay for a month during the winter. The Island is located just north of Jacksonville, Florida. 

Today the island is a state park, primarily a natural preserve, providing a premier location for nature study, bird–watching, or photography. You can also go hiking, bicycling, fishing, boating, canoeing, kayaking, and picnicking. There are even picnic pavilions, nature trails, a fishing pier, a boat ramp, bike trails and beaches.  So there is lots to do there including learning about history and visiting the historic sites.

John Carrol Houston, my 4th great grandfather, a Revolutionary War veteran of South Carolina, born about 1755, came to East Florida from Georgia about 1808. His wife was Jane Harvey, born about 1758 in Beaufort, South Carolina. They settled on Big Talbot Island, and at his death after Florida became a territory, and with his eldest son, John, had acquired several land grants.

The Houston's came to America from Ireland some years before the Revolutionary War.  General Samuel Houston of Texas fame is said to be a cousin of John Carrol Houston through a brother who went to Tennessee.
John Houston's grandson, John C Houston III, had a daughter Ada.  She married William Russell Roesch who became the first mayor of Eau Gallie, Florida. It is said that General Samuel Houston came to visit his cousin John Carrol Houston III in Eau Gallie.  So I take pride in saying that I am a cousin to General Houston.

On April 17, 2010, The Daughters of the American Revolution's local chapter dedicated a plaque to Revolutionary War Capt. John Carroll Houston at his family cemetery on Big Talbot Island. 

Houston served in the Revolutionary War with the South Carolina militia, listed as a rebel in the battles against the Spanish in Florida and one of the Founders of Duval County.  He was buried in the Houston family cemetery on Talbot Island, once part of the Christopher/Houston Plantation.  Five Civil War soldiers are also buried in the cemetery, which contains the oldest marked grave in Duval County. 

About 150 people attended the plaque dedication, including family members from as far away as Miami and Atlanta.

Susan Stewart - Babies Found

DEATH OF MRS. JOHN HOUSTON July 16, 1909 The Florida Star (Titusville)

On Wednesday morning at 9:45 Mrs. John Houston passed from this world for the home beyond. Mrs. Houston had been ill for over six months, having suffered much during these past few months of her life.  Her sweet Christian character was known and influenced by all.

She was confined to her bed for over a month surrounded by her loved ones and friends and everyone did all they could to make her last days a period of ease.

She was prepared to go and bade all those around her good bye.  She was glad to go and will be at the gate to welcome them to that city beyond when their life's work on earth has ended.  She loved everybody and all who came in contact with her life are better for having known such a Christian as she.

Her spirit has taken its flight and loved ones are left to mourn her presence in the house, but we know that she is safe with Jesus.

Miss Susan Stewart was born at Jasper, Fla., Oct 8th 1841.  She was married to Capt. John Houston at LaGrange, Fla., Sept. 5th 1860.  To them eight children were born, three of whom died in infancy.  She had four sisters and three brothers, all living except one brother and one sister.  She had thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.  She lived on Indian River for forty-nine years. 

About two months ago all her living brothers and sisters ate dinner with her for the last time.

She leaves many loved ones and friends behind, but some day all shall meet above where parting shall be no more.  Safe in the arms of Jesus her soul rests; let all who knew her try to meet her on that happy golden shore.

CARD OF THANKS
We wish to thank all who were so kind to us during the last illness and loss of our loved one.  Everyone did all that lay in their power, for which we do appreciate their kindness. 
John Houston and family

(Susan's obituary led me to the discovery of three infants buried in the Houston Family Cemetery in Eau Gallie, Florida.  The stones are missing, perhaps those taken and thrown into the Indian River when the graves were vandalized.   Susan's stone still exists with space beside her where most likely her three babies sleep.) 

It was said that Susan E. Stewart was laid to rest beneath the ancient oaks of the family plot in 1909.  According to old family records, "she carved her own tombstone of coquina rock".  As told by Houston's granddaughters, Jessie, Clara, Minnie and Mabel. Unfortunately, that stone no longer exists.

Mary Jane Houston



 

Charles John Young and Mary Jane Houston

Mary Jane Houston, my 2nd great Aunt, was a daughter of John Carrol Houston, one of the first settlers of Eau Gallie Florida. Her mother was Mary Virginia Hall a/k/a Mary Virginia Murray.  Her father gave her a dower of land.

On April 6 1897 Mary Houston Young signed away a portion of her dower rights  She and her husband, Charles John Young, signed the warrant deed transferring a lot in the Houston addition to Eau Gallie to the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Missionary Juristiction of Southern Florida, for the purpose of building a church already named "St. John's.

They were among the first 29 communicants of St John's Church.  They aided and assisted by money and work in building this church. The documents were witnessed by Henry Hodgson and Jno. E.M. Hodgson, Notary Public.  The examination of title (search)  was made on April 16 1897, and the transaction recorded in Deed Book "B.B." pg 650, on May 1 1897. 

Mary and her husand Charles
are buried in the Eau GallieCemetery,
Eau Gallie, Florida

Mary Houston Young was sister to my great grandmother, Ada Louise Houston Roesch.  They are all buried in the Eau Gallie Cemetery. Whereas Mary and Charles Young built the St. John's Church, Ada and her husband William Roesch built the St. Paul's Methodist Church.

As the membership grew at St. John's, it became necessary to enlarge the Church.  It just amazes me that it was decided  to retain to the original sanctuary so the new church  was enlarged around it.  The old sanctuary is beautiful.

I wish everyone respected history this much.

The Young family moved to Miami about1922, where Charles Young continued to work for the East Coast Lumber and Supply Company.   

Tether The Oxen

 Sugar Cane Wheel Press Abt 1800, the oxen would turn the wheel
On the property of John Carroll Houston, my 2nd gr grandfather

Aunt Sue

Susan M. Stewart Seawright was born in Eau Gallie, Florida June 15, 1896.   She was the daughter of my great aunt, Isabel Margaret Houston Stewart, Known as Belle.  Belle was a sister of Ada Houston Roesch, my great grandmother. Susan was lovingly called Aunt Sue by just about everyone who knew her.

She founded the Eau Gallie Women's club, and was a lifetime member.  She served as a board member of St. Paul's Methodists Church, member of Democratic Women's Club of South Brevard County and the Harbour City Garden Club.

She was a school teacher, and a member of the Order of Eastern Star.  She was a life member of the PTA and belonged to the American Legion Auxiliary.  She was also a member of the Volunteer Firemen's Auxiliary and actively involved in many other organizations.

Aunt Sue passed away on October 6, 1975 and is buried beside her husband James, known as Pappy, in the Eau Gallie Cemetery, Eau Gallie, Florida.  She was a remarkable woman of her time.

Beach Beauties

Left to right:  Ada, Julia, Lena and Clyde Roesch
 Circa 1910
Sunbathing on the Atlantic Ocean Beach in Eau Gallie, Florida

Mystery Mary

Mary Virginia Hall, my 2nd great grandmother was born on Feb 19, 1823 on Talbot Island, Florida.  She married John Carroll Houston on on September 22, 1836. Hall is listed as her maiden name. I descend from her daughter Ada Louise, who married William Russell Roesch.  When I pulled Ada's death certificate it listed her mother as Mary Virginia Murray.  Both names, Hall and Murray are used interchangeably when researching Mary.  It is a mystery that I hope to have unraveled by me or her other descendants one day. To the best of my knowledge, they had ten children.

John built a new home in Eau Gallie, Florida for her and his children.   It took one year to complete this home and then he returned to Enterprise for his family.   It took three weeks to drive the covered wagons hauled by oxen and their herd of cattle to Eau Gallie.   Mary was indeed a pioneer woman.

 Their nearest post office and store was 90 miles away.  They raised all of their own supplies, corn, potatoes and beans, the river furnished them with fish, and deer, bear and turkeys were to be had in any quantity almost in their dooryard.  Mary had to weave all the cloth she needed by hand.

I am fortunate to have a copy of letter that was written to her by her sister.  However, it does not reveal any personal information about her.

Slaves of Houston

John C Houston II

John Carroll Houston II was the son of John Carroll Houston I and Mary Harvey.  He was born ca. 1788 in Beaufort, S.C. On May 2,1811 he married Elizabeth Susannah Christopher, born 1797 on Big Talbot Island, Duval County, Florida.  They were married by the Reverend Miguel Crosby of the Cathedral of St. Augustine, Florida.  Witnesses were Fernando de la Mayo Ardono and Antonia Seony (Scony).  John was about 23 and Elizabeth about 14 years of age.  They lived in Beaufort, Carolina, possibly on his father's plantation in St. Lukes Parish.

In 1814 they appeared as Nominal Residents of Big Talbot Island in the Spanish Census of that date.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Samuel Spicer Christopher and his wife Mary Greenwood.  Spicer was the son of John Christopher and Martha Watson. Mary was the daughter of William Greenwood of Virginia and Isabel Bryan of Georgia.

John gave his son, John C. Houston III, 10 slaves to help him build his new home and the slaves' quarters in a town Houston III named Arlington, and later changed to Eau Gallie, Florida.

Arlington was the name given to the settlement, which sprang up around the cabin of John C. Houston, (born 1813). A nephew of Sam Houston, he arrived here in 1859 after serving as a scout during the Third Seminole War. He walked here from Enterprise with his sons and about 10 slaves on the Hernandez/Capron Trail. His wife, Mary Virginia Hall, joined him when the cabin was completed in 1860.

John C Houston III

The cabin sat on his homestead of 160 acres, including all of the land lying north of Elbow Creek (now called the Eau Gallie River), east to the Indian River, and west perhaps all the way to Lake Washington. His home was built of crude logs chinked with clay and burnt oyster shells. Palmetto roots and green boughs were burned at night to create an anti-mosquito smoke screen. They had a sugar cane mill propelled by a horse or oxen, and also raised rice.

At the end of the Civil War, Confederate Secretary of War Breckenridge attempted to flee to Cuba by boat. Unfortunately for him, his boat developed a leak and he landed at Houston's dock. Houston, a Southern sympathizer, helped him on his way to Cuba.

Arlington had the second post office in Brevard County, established on June 30, 1871, with John Houston as its postmaster. Henry Titus had the contract to deliver the mail.

Slaves Quarters

It was in 1862 when Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipaton Proclamation ending slavery.  But real freedom did not come until the Confederacy conceded to the Union and the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment was signed prohibiting slavery, freeing approximately 4,000 slaves.  Houston's slave quarters now sat empty. 

Today this home is part of the Rossetter Museum in Eau Gallie, Florida that include the Roesch House, Rossetter House and the Houston Family Cemetery located on Highland Avenue.

Mary and St. John's Church

I placed flowers on every ancestor
in the Eau Gallie Cemetery

Mary Houston, my great Aunt, was a daughter of John Carrol Houston, one of the first settlers of Eau Gallie Florida and Mary Virginia Hall.  On April 6 1897 Mary Houston Young signed away her dower rights to a portion of land she had received from her father.

She and her husband, Charles John Young, signed the warrant deed transferring a lot in the Houston addition in Eau Gallie to the Protestant Episcopal Church of the Missionary Jurisdiction of Southern Florida, for the purpose of building a church already named "St. John's.  They were among the first 29 communicants of St John's Church.  They aided and assisted by money and work in building this church. The documents were witnessed by Henry Hodgson and Jno. E.M. Hodgson, Notary Public.  The examination of title (search)  was made on April 16 1897, and the transaction recorded in Deed Book "B.B." pg 650, on May 1 1897.

Mary Houston Young was sister to my great grandmother, Ada Louise Houston Roesch.  They are all buried in the Eau Gallie Cemetery. Whereas Mary and Charles Young built the St. John's Church, Ada and her husband William Roesch built the St. Paul's Methodist Church.

As the membership grew at St. John's, it became necessary to enlarge the Church.  It just amazes me that it was decided  to retain to the original sanctuary so the new church  was enlarged around it.  The old sanctuary is beautiful.

I wish everyone respected history this much.

Name That Town

Ghosts!

"In October 2008, a team of psychics toured the Rossetter House, the   Roesch House, and the Houston Family Cemetery.  Join us for an exciting tour where we will share with you the "impressions" that the psychics told us they received on this historic property.

This Ghost Tour is for entertainment purposes only.

Bring your camera - you never know who might show up!"

http://rossetterhousemuseum.org/welcome

Jillian is the site manager of the Rossetter Museum on Highland Avenue in Eau Gallie, Florida.  My great grandparents home, the Roesch House now serves as the museums headquaters where my ancestors pictures hang on the parlor wall.  




Roesch House my great grandfather,
William R Roesch built in 1901
(photo 2008)

 

Jillian told me that the psychics told her that a woman died in the Roesch upstairs bedroom.  I told her no, that was not the case.   My great grandmother Ada died in their farmhouse on Aurora Road in Eau Gallie and their daughter, my great Aunt Lena died in Titusville.  The Rossetters purchased the Roesch house and used it for storage.

Touring the Pioneer Houston Cemetery

Ghost tour in the dinning room
of the slaves quarters that became the first home of
Ada and William Roesch



The Rossetter House addition
 attached to the former slave quarters
and first home of Wm. Roesch, sits directly accross
the street from the Roesch House

Roesch House on the left, the way it looked in 1901



It was said that Susan E. Houston Stewart was laid to rest beneath the ancient oaks of the family plot in 1909.  According to old family records, "she carved her own tombstone of coquina rock".
I recently discovered through old newspaper articles of the time that Susan Houston Stewart, who married John Carroll Houston IV, have three children buried here beside her.  I have passed that information on to the Historical Society.

Pioneer John Carroll Houston III



John Carroll Houston III was an Indian scout during the Third Seminole War.  It was in the late 1850's when this pioneer arrived in a wooded area he named Arlington, later changed Eau Gallie, Florida with a company of soldiers on an Indian hunt when the territory was just a wilderness.  He fell in love the the area and decided this was where he wanted to build his home and live. 

John Carroll Houston 1813-1885
my great great grandfather

When the Second Seminole War ended in 1842, Congress passed the Arms Occupation Act.  It gave settlers the opportunity to earn title to 160 acres by building a house, living on the land for five years and cultivating five acres.  Further, that they would have to take up arms to protect themselves from the Indians that remained in Florida.  

Houston returned to Enterprise, Florida and obtained a soldier's land grant for 160 acres.  He returned to Eau Gallie, built his home with the aid of the 10 slaves his father had given him, and with his oldest sons, it took nearly a year to build the first hickory log cabin for his family and quarters for his slaves.  Finally, on October 5, 1860, this pioneer returned to Enterprise for his family.  It took three weeks to drive the covered wagons hauled by oxen and the herd of cattle and horses. Houston, after homesteading for two years, was deeded an additional 80 acres of land by Abraham Lincoln for his services as an Indian Scout.  This 80 acres of land he would divide among his daughters for their dowry.



Slaves Quarters

Ten months after Ada Houston and William Roesch married in January, 1885, Ada's father, John C. Houston, died leaving 160 acres.  William filed a claim for this tract of land that the act of Congress had officially approved for Houston back on May 20, 1862, some 23 years earlier and proceeded to build two homes.  However, a dispute arose and construction came to a halt until the government land authorities settled the case. 

Although William claimed ownership to the land, the official document was not signed by President Grover Cleveland, and dated until the fifth day of February 1896, almost 11 years after Houston's death.



Taken Prisoner


  My great uncle, John Carroll Houston IV, was born on April 3, 1842 in Mayport, Florida.  He was the brother of my great grandmother Ada Louise Houston Roesch.  


Gravestone of J.C. Houston,
Eau Gallie Cemetery

 

At the outbreak of the Seminole Indian War in 1857, he enlisted in the U.S. Army as a scout at the age of 16.  He served for two years then with his father moved to Eau Gallie, Florida, and together built a log home for the family. 



From 1860 to 1865, at the outbreak of the Civil War, John began to operate boats on the Indian River in the interest of the Confederacy.  In fact, he was the first man to navigate this river and became known as Captain John.  He made several successful trips to Nassau, British West Indies transporting provisions.  He was captured, taken prisoner and kept at sea for three months.  At the end of the Civil War, Captain John was paroled at Key West.



"He worked his way up on the island until he reached what was then called the Town of Miami.  He got an old hunter to ferry him across the river onto the peninsula.  The Captain, armed only with a small hatchet, made his way toward Eau Gallie.  The journey back was fraught with danger as he was encountered at frequent intervals with panther and other wild animals.  When he reached Jupiter, he found a dilapidated old boat and with his hatchet and an old saw blade that was lying nearby the built a small boat and paddle and headed home up the river."  (February 25, 1916 Eau Gallie Record, obituary written by my great grandfather, William R. Roesch, Capt. Houston Called After A Long Illness.)

His parents thought their son was surely dead.  But, one night at midnight his father awoke to the call of a "cow-holler".  He jumped out of bed yelling to his wife that their son was home because no one else could holler like that.  John ran to the river to joyfully welcome his son home.

Ada Voted Yes




Ada Louise Houston
1857 - 1924

  My great grandmother, Ada Louise Houston was born in Enterprise, Florida on May 19, 1857.  When she was three years of age, her father, John C. Houston III brought his family to live in Eau Gallie.  He was after all the founder of the town.  She was 19 years old, still living at home, with her parents when she gave birth to a daughter, Eva Lena Houston, born on Ada's 19th birthday. 

Ada married William Russell Roesch on January 16, 1885 and she brought Eva Lena with her and William welcomed her and gave her his name. Our family called her Aunt Lena.  Ada was nine years older that her husband. 


Ada is listed in memoriam
in this book

  Ada, along with her husband, was one of the founders and builders of the Methodist Church in Eau Gallie.  She was also a member of the Eau Gallie's Women's Club.  Many Sunday's she would have her minister over for dinner.  On those occasions, children were seen and not heard.  Her son had to eat after the minister left.  But, it was not unusual for Ada to sneak her son a piece of chicken.

Ada gave her husband six children, three girls and three boys, but only one child, a son survived, my grandfather, William Phillip born May 2, 1893.  (Mary, b Dec 22, 1885, d May 6, 1887, infant son b April 2, 1887 d Apr 3, 1887, infant daughter, born and died Jan 15, 1888, infant daughter, born and died Aug 22, 1889, and Earl Leroy Roesch b Oct 7 1895 d Oct 26 1895)

According to an article in an old newspaper, Ada was involved in the local school.  It was about the controversy of allowing five Japanese children to attend the public school.  Some of the Eau Gallie citizens obviously didn't want them there, they should have their own school they cried.  Ada voted to allow these five children to attend school with her son.  I am so proud of my great grandmother and her decision to vote yes.