Page 212 - some-stuff-i-wrote-and-some-stuff-i-didn't-(2011)-h-morris-williams

Some Stuff I Wrote and Some Stuff I Didn't (2011) H. Morris Williams

COLUMBIA COUNTY IN 1875 DESCRIBED BY HISTORIAN

From Webb’s History of Florida (1875Ì

Columbia County was created by the Territorial Council Feb. 4, 1832. Historian

Utley says it derived its name “from the poetical name for the United States,” but
Historian Brooks says it was named for the discoverer of America.

Herewith is the description of the county and its towns and villages presented in
Webb’s History of Florida published in 1875 :

“The area of the county is 860 square miles, or 851,400 acres. Population in 1880,

9889. The Suwannee River forms a portion of its northern boundary. The Santa Fe
River on the South is navigable for small steamers to a point called Fort White.

Sea Island cotton does well here and is the chief money crop. Oranges are grown
and those who have given them attention have found them profitable. At the state
fair in Jacksonville in 1877 this county obtained a premium for her exhibit of fruit.
Peaches from this county have at times sold in New York for $8 a box.

A line of steamers on the Santa Fe furnishes transportation from Cedar Key on the

Gulf.”

“Barrsville—situated on the old military and telegraph road, 14 miles from Lake
City. Fare to Jacksonville $5; time, three or four hours. Mail from Lake City to
Leno, 22 miles, three times a week. The place was settled in 1845 by Maj. G. U.

Ellis and was one of the commissary stations during the Seminole Indian war.
George R. Cook, M. D., thinks that Barrsville is the garden spot of East Florida.
The postmaster is Bascomb Gunning.”

“Benton—settled about 40 years ago. Post office established 25 years. It is

located on the banks of the Suwannee River, 21 miles from Lake City, a semi­
weekly line of stages being run to that point, where connection can be made to
Jacksonville. The population 100, consists of whites, farmers of small means.

Public school conducted by Miss R. S. Bryan. Baptist Church, Rev. J. N. Reed
pastor. W. H. Cone is extensively engaged in raising cotton, cane and general field
crops. A saw mill and a grist mill conducted by D. N. Cone, who is also

postmaster.”

“Blount’s Ferry—situated near the Georgia state line, on the west bank of the
Suwannee River, in the northwestern part of the county. It is 30 miles from Lake

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