Page 44 - a-history-of-columbia-county-florida-(1996)-edward-f-keuchel

A History of Columbia County Florida (1996) Edward F. Keuchel 33/340

Early Settlement

replaced Brown as justice of the county court.33 Throughout the
balance of the territorial period other representatives to serve the
county were James Niblack, Alexander Martin, William Cone,
Jacob Summerlin, and George E. McClellan.34
When Florida became a state in 1845, Columbia County was
firmly established although it was still a frontier area. Alligator
was only a village and large sections of farmable land were still
untouched forest. Although some cotton was grown, most farming
was to fill the immediate needs of the family. There was not much
indication that the larger type of plantation agriculture found in
Middle Florida would become significant in this area east of the
Suwannee.
During the latter part of the territorial period the citizens of
Columbia County were to face a most serious challenge during the
Second Seminole War (1835-1842): one of the longest and bloodiest
Indian wars in American history. Pioneer conditions prevailed the
settlers were not in a strong position to defend themselves from
Indian attacks. Moreover, lying between the Okefenokee Swamp to
the north, which offered a refuge for marauding Seminoles, and
the bulk of Seminole strength to the south, Columbia County was
caught in the middle of this prolonged and bloody contest.

33Nominations to Territorial Offices, February 11, 1835, February 12, 1837,
Carter, Territorial Papers, Vol. XXV, pp. 107, 374-75.
34 Columbia County Representatives in the Legislative Council, Columbia
County File, Florida Collection, Florida State Library.
31

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