Kingsley Plantation, along the St. John’s River, Florida. Purchased and completed around 1817 in what was then Spanish Florida.
Zephaniah Kingsley owned several plantations in the area during the time of Spanish rule. And no, not the Hollywood version of what the main house should look like.
Kingsley was married to a former enslaved woman named Anna Madgigine Jai. She ran the farms for her husband.
In 1821 the US purchased the territory of Florida and brought their rules of slavery with them.
Kingsley sent his wife, children, and former enslaved people to his plantation in Haiti where slavery was illegal. In 1839 all the Kingsley US properties were sold, the family members now living in Haiti with the exception of two married daughters to Florida plantation owners.
Kingsley Plantation is now owned by the US Parks Dept.
Interesting — another little known bit of history
When out shooting we always try to find other places to visit. You have probably noticed we photograph much of old South Carolina too. Always new things to learn.
Thank you for this. I have been reading a lot about Haiti’s history. Dr.Paul Farmer is one of my heroes.
I knew nothing about this until I stopped by the plantation. Passed the road in while driving and had to visit.
Thanks for this fascinating little bit of Florida history up near St. John’s River, Ted. Leave it to you to discover this! Had no idea that this was there!
😂, I think we saw a road side marker 😃