Plantations of Leon County, Florida
The plantations of Leon County were numerous and vast. Leon County, in the U.S. state of Florida, was a true cotton kingdom. From the 1820s through 1850s Leon County attracted cotton planters from Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina, plus other states and abroad to its fertile red clay soils and long growing season.
Slaves in Leon County
For some time and up until the early stages of the Civil War, Leon County was the fifth-largest producer of cotton among all counties in Georgia and Florida. (C. Paisley). Another source states that Leon County led the state in cotton production.[1] Because of this, in 1840, there were 654 adult white males, but 3980 "engaged in agriculture".[2] In 1860, 73% of the population of Leon County consisted of enslaved black persons;[3] as was true elsewhere in the South,[4] the value of those enslaved persons far exceeded the value of all the land in the county.[5] Leon County had more people enslaved than any other county in Florida,[6] and it was, therefore, the wealthiest county in Florida.[7] It was also the center of Florida's slave trade.[6]:28
Plantations in 1860
Note: Value = Plantation Value in United States dollars. TA = Total area. IA = Improved area. UA = Unimproved area. Corn = In Bushels. Cotton = Bales of Cotton
| Plantation | Value | TA (acre) | IA | UA | Enslaved people | Corn | Cotton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| William Alderman | $5000 | 980 acres (4.0 km2) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 480 acres (1.9 km2) | 36 | 3000 | 75 |
| Silas D. Allen | $2000 | 550 acres (2.2 km2) | 250 acres (1 km²) | 300 acres (1.2 km2) | 22 | 1000 | 180 |
| Jesse Averett, Sr. | N/A | 19,601 acres (79 km2) | 1,200 acres (5 km2) | 680 acres (2.8 km2) | 60 | 2500 | 80 |
| William Bailey | $42,670 | 2,510 acres (10 km2) | 825 acres (3.3 km2) | 564 acres (2.3 km2) | 75 | 4000 | 352 |
| Bannerman | $14,475 | 1,440 acres (6 km2) | 700 acres (2.8 km2) | 840 acres (3.4 km2) | 67 | 4000 | 120 |
| Barrow Hill | $10,000 | 3,990 acres (16 km2) | 2,590 acres (10 km2) | 1,400 acres (6 km2) | 71 | 3200 | 204 |
| S. A. Belton | $12,000 | N/A | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 400 acres (1.6 km2) | N/A | 500 | N/A |
| Bellevue Plantation | $10,000 | 520 acres (2.1 km2) | 470 acres (1.9 km2) | 50 acres (0.2 km2) | 24 | N/A | N/A |
| Betton Hill | $00,000 | 0000 | 0000 | 00 | 0000 | 000 | 000 |
| Blakely | $9000 | 900 acres (3.6 km2) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 400 | N/A | 3000 | 40 |
| William D. Bloxham | $7000 | 1,400 acres (6 km2) | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | 52 | 2500 | 100 |
| J. R. Bradford | $1300 | N/A | 700 acres (2.8 km2) | 300 acres (1.2 km2) | N/A | 1500 | 75 |
| Burgesstown | $22,000 | 8,100 acres (33 km2) | 3,800 acres (15 km2) | 4,300 acres (17 km2) | 274 | 1300 | 825 |
| William H. Branch | $13,375 | 1,070 acres (4 km2) | 670 acres (2.7 km2) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 57 | 3000 | 120 |
| William A. Carr | $31,000 | 2000 acres (8 km²) | 1000 acres (4 km²) | 1,000 acres (4 km2) | 77 | 5000 | 260 |
| Casa de Laga | $15,000 | 1,228 acres (5 km2) | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | 428 acres (1.7 km2) | 70 | 3000 | 200 |
| Josesph Chaires | $50,000 | 3,800 acres (15 km2) | 1,400 acres (6 km2) | 2,400 acres (10 km2) | 130 | 5000 | 200 |
| Chemonie | $18,400 | 1,840 acres (7 km2) | 1000 acres (4 km²) | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | 64 | 5000 | 200 |
| J. B. Christie | $12,000 | 1,420 acres (6 km2) | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | 37 | 1500 | 80 |
| Charles Cole | $7680 | N/A | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 300 acres (1.2 km2) | 30 | 1500 | 85 |
| Henry Copeland | $10,000 | N/A | 300 acres (1.2 km2) | 200 acres (0.8 km2) | 55 | 3000 | 81 |
| John A. Craig | $20,000 | 1,150 acres (5 km2) | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 550 acres (2.2 km2) | 44 | 3500 | 150 |
| William P. Craig | $13,000 | 1,150 acres (5 km2) | 690 acres (2.8 km2) | 350 acres (1.4 km2) | 38 | 1000 | 62 |
| Alex Cromartie | $12,600 | 1,255 acres (5 km2) | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 700 acres (2.8 km2) | 53 | 4000 | 90 |
| John Cromartie | $5760 | 960 acres (3.9 km2) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 460 acres (1.9 km2) | 52 | 1500 | 37 |
| J. Q. Cromartie | $13,000 | 1,320 acres (5 km2) | 300 acres (1.2 km2) | 840 acres (3.4 km2) | 40 | 3000 | 50 |
| Plantation | Value | TA | IA | UA | Slaves | Corn | Cotton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Edgewood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| El Destino (partly in Jefferson County) | $17,000 (1832) | 7,638 acres (30.91 km2) | |||||
| Evergreen Hills | $53,600 | 6,700 acres (27 km2) | 3,600 acres (15 km2) | 3,100 acres (13 km2) | 135 | 6000 | 350 |
| Francis Eppes | $24,000 | 1,920 acres (8 km2) | 950 acres (3.8 km2) | 970 acres (3.9 km2) | 70 | 3000 | 70 |
| A. A. Fisher | N/A | 1,144 acres (5 km2) | 625 acres (2.5 km2) | 475 acres (1.9 km2) | 46 | 3000 | 105 |
| R. N. Fisher | $11,800 | 1,080 acres (4 km2) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 580 acres (2.3 km2) | 45 | 3000 | 100 |
| Dr. George Galphin | $12,500 | 989 acres (4.0 km2) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 500 acres (2.0 km2) | 50 | 1300 | 75 |
| C. B. Gamble | $10,000 | N/A | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 240 acres (1.0 km2) | N/A | 2500 | 60 |
| William Germany | $20,000 | 3,240 acres (13 km2) | 1000 acres (4 km²) | 1,240 acres (5 km2) | 40 | 1500 | 47 |
| Goodwood | $33,640 | 1,675 acres (7 km2) | 1,050 acres (4 km2) | 625 acres (2.5 km2) | 58 | 2500 | 150 |
| William A. Harvin | $11,500 | N/A | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 550 acres (2.2 km2) | 36 | 3000 | 91 |
| Alex B. Hawkins | $38,700 | 2000 acres (8 km²) | 1,130 acres (5 km2) | 860 acres (3.5 km2) | 51 | 1800 | 93 |
| Richard Hayward | $62,680 | N/A | 7,444 acres (30 km2) | 450 acres (1.8 km2) | 51 | 2000 | 150 |
| Griffin W. Holland | $30,000 | 1,600 acres (6 km2) | 1,200 acres (5 km2) | 1,400 acres (6 km2) | 95 | 7000 | 225 |
| Horseshoe Plantation | See (Pine Hill) | ||||||
| House Place | $16,600 | 1,800 acres (7 km2) | 900 acres (3.6 km2) | 900 acres (3.6 km2) | 47 | 3000 | 216 |
| Edward Houstoun | $25,000 | N/A | 900 acres (3.6 km2) | 3,600 acres (15 km2) | 78 | 3500 | 180 |
| Ingleside | $25,000 | 2,620 acres (11 km2) | 1500 acres (6 km²) | 1,140 acres (5 km2) | 116 | 7000 | 181 |
| James A. Kirksey | $33,000 | 2,600 acres (11 km2) | 1,320 acres (5 km2) | 1,280 acres (5 km2) | 180 | 6000 | 454 |
| La Grange | $55,200 | 4,150 acres (17 km2) | 3,150 acres (13 km2) | 1000 acres (4 km²) | 232 | N/A | N/A |
| T. B. Lamar | $1500 | 1,120 acres (5 km2) | 1,200 acres (5 km2) | 750 acres (3 km²) | 41 | 2000 | 100 |
| Thomas J. Laversage | $8000 | 1,560 acres (6 km2) | 1,700 acres (7 km2) | 300 acres (1.2 km2) | 48 | 2000 | 70 |
| Live Oak | $4000 | 1,560 acres (6 km2) | 820 acres (3.3 km2) | 260 acres (1.1 km2) | 68 | 2000 | 73 |
| Ellen C. Long | $13,000 | N/A | 700 acres (2.8 km2) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 52 | 1800 | 120 |
| Daniel B. Meginniss | $40,000 | 1,600 acres (6 km2) | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | 810 acres (3.3 km2) | 70 | 3000 | 150 |
| John Miller | $35,000 | 2,517 acres (10 km2) | 1,400 acres (6 km2) | 1,300 acres (5 km2) | 80 | 5000 | 180 |
| Plantation | Value | TA | IA | UA | Slaves | Corn | Cotton |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miccosukee | $35,000 | 2,517 acres (10 km2) | 1,400 acres (6 km2) | 1,300 acres (5 km2) | 80 | 5000 | 180 |
| John C. Montford | $800 | 1,080 acres (4 km2) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 540 acres (2.2 km2) | 35 | 2000 | 41 |
| Mossview | $20,000 | 2,204 acres (9 km2) | 1,200 acres (5 km2) | 1,200 acres (5 km2) | 80 | 2000 | 80 |
| William S. Murray | $8000 | 1,120 acres (5 km2) | 520 acres (2.1 km2) | 400 acres (1.6 km2) | 33 | 2500 | 45 |
| Oaklawn | $26,720 | 5,640 acres (23 km2) | 1,200 acres (5 km2) | 4,440 acres (18 km2) | 20 | 5000 | 300 |
| Orchard Pond | $31,000 | 3,844 acres (16 km2) | 1,300 acres (5 km2) | 2,544 acres (10 km2) | 118 | 4500 | 167 |
| M. D. Papy | $9000 | 1,200 acres (5 km2) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 700 acres (2.8 km2) | 43 | 3000 | 54 |
| William Perkins | $15,300 | 1,568 acres (6 km2) | 900 acres (3.6 km2) | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | 42 | 2500 | 93 |
| Julian S. Pettes | $3000 | N/A | 350 acres (1.4 km2) | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | N/A | 3000 | 75 |
| Pine Hill | $28,000 | 3,270 acres (13 km2) | 1500 acres (6 km²) | 1,770 acres (7 km2) | 130 | 4000 | 225 |
| Ponder | $48,000 | 5000 acres (20 km²) | 4,756 acres (19 km2) | 5,756 acres (23 km2) | 99 | 8500 | 206 |
| L. S. Raines | $10,000 | 1000 acres (4 km²) | 500 acres (2 km²) | 500 acres (2.0 km2) | 43 | 1500 | 75 |
| Thomas Randall | $40,000 | N/A | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | 2,800 acres (11 km2) | 38 | 2500 | 75 |
| W. F. Robertson | $12,000 | 1,320 acres (5 km2) | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 720 acres (2.9 km2) | 30 | 2000 | 100 |
| J. A. J. Roney | $27,000 | N/A | 1,580 acres (6 km2) | 550 acres (2.2 km2) | 77 | 6000 | 198 |
| G. W. Scott | $4000 | 60 acres (240,000 m2) | 50 acres (200,000 m2) | 5 acres (20,000 m2) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| R. G. Shepard | $24,000 | 1,400 acres (6 km2) | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | 600 acres (2.4 km2) | 90 | 1000 | 225 |
| Solomon Sills | $5000 | 840 acres (3.4 km2) | 225 acres (0.9 km2) | N/A | 26 | 97 | 1800 |
| Smithwick | $10,000 | 520 acres (2.1 km2) | 350 acres (1.4 km2) | 250 acres (1 km²) | N/A | 80 | 1500 |
| Southwood | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Daniel Switzer | $6000 | 620 acres (2.5 km2) | 300 acres (1.2 km2) | 320 acres (1.3 km2) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Tuscawilla | $36,000 | 3000 acres (12 km²) | 1500 acres (6 km²) | 1500 acres (6 km²) | 172 | 3000 | 200 |
| Verdura | $20,000 | 2500 acres (10 km²) | 1000 acres (4 km²) | 1500 acres (6 km²) | 63 | 2500 | 160 |
| Walnut Hill | $12,000 | 2,120 acres (9 km2) | 1,700 acres (7 km2) | 420 acres (1.7 km2) | 65 | 2500 | 80 |
| Water Oak | $18,400 | 1,840 acres (7 km2) | 900 acres (3.6 km2) | 940 acres (3.8 km2) | 65 | 2500 | 130 |
| Waverly | $00,000 | 0000 | 000 | 000 | 000 | 000 | 000 |
| J. E. Whitaker | N/A | 2,280 acres (9 km2) | 1,300 acres (5 km2) | 1,200 acres (5 km2) | 94 | 2000 | 157 |
| Robert W. Williams | $8000 | N/A | 400 acres (1.6 km2) | 400 acres (1.6 km2) | 37 acres (150,000 m2) | 2000 | 100 |
| T. B. Winn | $13,920 | N/A | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | 364 acres (1.5 km2) | 52 acres (210,000 m2) | 3000 | 81 |
| Woodlawn | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: Value = Plantation Value. IA = Improved Acres. UA = Unimproved Acres. Enslaved People = Number of persons enslaved. Machinery = Worth of machinery. Livestock = Worth of livestock.
| Owner | Value | IA | UA | Enslaved People | Machinery | Livestock |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| E. P. Johnson | $1410 | 88 acres (360,000 m2) | 388 acres (1.6 km2) | N/A | $10 | $260 |
| William Johnson | $1410 | 88 acres (360,000 m2) | 388 acres (1.6 km2) | N/A | $10 | $260 |
| E. S. McCollum | $1000 | 75 acres (300,000 m2) | 800 acres (3.2 km2) | N/A | $125 | $880 |
| Jackson Moody | $500 | 25 acres (100,000 m2) | 165 acres (0.7 km2) | N/A | $20 | $300 |
| S. W. Sweatman | $1440 | 117 acres (0.5 km2) | 123 acres (0.5 km2) | N/A | $100 | $550 |
References
- Larry E. Rivers, ""Slavery in Microcosm: Leon County, Florida, 1824 to 1860", The Journal of Negro History, Vol. 66, No. 3 (Autumn, 1981), pp. 235-245, at p. 240, https://www.jstor.org/stable/2716918, consulted 6/4/2015.
- Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey (1941). "Historical Sketch of Leon County". p. 10.
- Rivers, p. 237.
- David Brion Davis, Inhuman Bondage. The Rise and Fall of Slavery in the New World, Oxford University Press, 2006, ISBN 0195140737, p. 298.
- Rivers, p. 243.
- Julia Floyd Smith, Slavery and Plantation Growth in Antebellum Florida 1821-1860, Gainesville, University of Florida Press, 1973, ISBN 0813003237, Appendix B, "Excerpts from County Tax Books in Florida Showing Ownership in Acreage and Slaves", pp. 213-222.
- Smith, p. 140.
Further reading
- Smith, Julia Floyd (2017). Slavery and plantation growth in Antebellum Florida, 1821-1860 (PDF). University of Florida Press.
- Paisley, Clifton (1981). From Cotton To Quail: An Agricultural Chronicle of Leon County, Florida, 1860-1967. University of Florida Press. ISBN 9780813007182.
First published in 1968
- Blake, Tom (2003). "LEON COUNTY, FLORIDA : LARGEST SLAVEHOLDERS FROM 1860 SLAVE CENSUS SCHEDULES and SURNAME MATCHES FOR AFRICAN AMERICANS ON 1870 CENSUS".
- "Leon County Florida : 1860 Agricultural Census". 1860.
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