tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-87417061220748841242024-03-19T02:11:14.728-07:00History of Pasco County FLResearching and Preserving Pasco County's History-- One Article at a TimeAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460060539617736528noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741706122074884124.post-8338646159492149672018-02-03T07:04:00.000-08:002018-02-03T16:03:31.913-08:00The Bluff's Rich Sponging History<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P0nNyDdWwKuU_qUPg_izn6heUyfW1LbNq-U_xCuv3VtLwXz9GC8LVlLVv0tKjJar25mmOeGMRZFzVtbPH1v7T62C1Ma4fppRR-2o0uwDbE64DqtOzKUxLe0WGpA2yxe0OW2uffSTTN37/s1600/BailliesBluffFleet2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" border="0" data-original-height="537" data-original-width="950" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-P0nNyDdWwKuU_qUPg_izn6heUyfW1LbNq-U_xCuv3VtLwXz9GC8LVlLVv0tKjJar25mmOeGMRZFzVtbPH1v7T62C1Ma4fppRR-2o0uwDbE64DqtOzKUxLe0WGpA2yxe0OW2uffSTTN37/s320/BailliesBluffFleet2.JPG" title="Sponging fleets off the coast of Pasco County at Baillie's Bluff" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Sponging fleets off the coast of Pasco County at Baillie's Bluff</b></div>
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Situated about 5 miles southwest of present day New Port
Richey, most know Bailey’s Bluff for its upscale, high-end, subdivision. But
for more than 50 years the bluff played a significant role in the local sponging
industry.</div>
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Today, driving along the nicely paved streets of the
Bailey’s Bluff subdivision, it’s hard to believe for nearly half a century this
small section of coastal land was the scene of considerable activities, which
played a significant role in the beginnings of the Tarpon Springs sponging
industry.</div>
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Traces of this grand operation are scant, but its mark on
our local history is great.</div>
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According to one account, the birth of sponging along <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>’s west coast can be
traced to the year 1852, when one Walter Lowe went in the schooner Chestnut to
Anclote Keys, and, in several days, secured a cargo of sponges.</div>
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This catch brought such large profits that other men soon
embarked in the new venture.</div>
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However, the Civil War brought many new challenges for these
Gulf coast spongers and growth of their new industry was significantly
inhibited and eventually ceased until the war ended.</div>
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On November 20, 1867, the bluff’s namesake Peter Karr
Baillie received title to the 22 acres of high prime coastal land now known as
Bailey’s Bluff-- purchased from the state of <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>.</div>
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Upon this land Baillie built a small home and established
one of the first known businesses in west <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>,
a mercantile business trading with local fishermen, who visited the excellent Anclote
fishery.</div>
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Research reveals by 1869 the taxable value of the Bailey’s
Bluff property was $300 or $13.64 per acre, most of this value likely in
improvements. Baillie also owned one horse and carriage, $50 in household furniture
including dishware, and was in debt for $25.</div>
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For reasons unknown, between 1870 and 1871 P.K. Baillie sold
his bluff enterprise to Eugenea I. Stephens. It’s not known what improvements,
if any, existed when the bluff property sold, with a reported taxable value of
only $30</div>
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But, for the next fourteen years Eugenea retained ownership
of the land.</div>
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By the mid 1870s the waters off Bailey’s Bluff and Anclote
became a well known fishery to harvest the abundant sponges. A correspondent
from June 1877, by a Mrs. R.H. provides descriptive insight into these early
coastal activities, she wrote:</div>
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<i>“North and south of Anclote Keys are land locked harbors
which vessels… can find anchorage in any kind of weather. In summer we have the
<st1:city w:st="on">Key West</st1:city>
schooners, some thirty or forty in number, sponging in these waters.</i></div>
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<i>On Saturday morning they may be seen skimming away like
white winged birds to their different crawls* and on Saturday afternoon and
Sunday lying anchored close in shore. On Monday morning they weigh anchor,
hoist sails, and are off to the [sponge] beds again, giving a lifelike
appearance to our otherwise lonely waters.”</i></div>
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These trim, but jaunty craft were well rigged schooners,
varying in size from 5 to 20 tons. Some painted black, some green, but the
prevailing color was white with a narrow red stripe.</div>
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During this period, nearly all of <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>’s
sponging vessels belonged to <st1:city w:st="on">Key West</st1:city>.</div>
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In 1879, the <i>Nebraska
Advertiser </i>reported the safe harbors around Anclote were widely known as
only one of two locations along the entire <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state> west coast where the sponge
schooners stored and cleaned their catches.</div>
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For this purpose, the bay spongers kept a concentration of
crawls on the north end of Anclote Key, but with time the Bailey’s Bluff mainland
would become the more significant site for their operations.</div>
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These fishermen soon realized their north Anclote Key crawls
were exposed to the full force of the wind when blowing from certain directions.</div>
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On several occasions considerable loss was sustained by storms
washing the sponges from the crawls and out to sea-- a hard lesson learned,
perhaps during the 1888-89 hurricane season when two storms made landfall near <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Crystal</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">River</st1:placename></st1:place>.</div>
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Following the death of bluff owner Eugenea Stephens in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Jacksonville</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place>
on February 16, 1886, then known as Eugenea Nason, ownership of the land transferred
to her legal heirs.</div>
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In 1890, under ownership of Captain Charles Floyd, the
crawls were moved from the more venerable Anclote Keys to the Bailey’s Bluff mainland,
and for the next 7-years Floyd retained ownership of this successful enterprise.</div>
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In 1891, our coastal sponging industry was met with entrepreneur
John King Cheyney’s newly established Anclote and Rock Island Sponge Company.</div>
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Cheyney’s company was determined and vowed to <i>“create a
reform in the <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>
sponge business,”</i> stating there had always been deception in the industry.</div>
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South of Anclote River, on what is now Point Alexis, the A
& R.I. Sponge Company operation became widely known as the little town of <st1:city w:st="on">Sponge</st1:city> Harbor, consisting
of comfortable houses for the fishermen, a church, school, and packing house.</div>
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Cheney’s company created significant competition for the
Bailey’s Bluff crawls, and, on May 31, 1897, with $300 down and a bond for
title for an outstanding $300; Captain Charles Floyd sold the bluff enterprise to
local resident Samuel Baker.</div>
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Within a few months the entire scene would change.</div>
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On account of the waters around the bluff being too rapidly
used by the large number of fishermen and for other unknown reasons, in July
1897 reports in the <i>Home Furnishing
Review</i> stated the black crews of the sponging vessels were removing their
crawls from Bailey’s Point, back to Anclote Key.</div>
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Some might speculate the 1897 move was a result of change in
ownership, or perhaps was due to the start of the Anclote channel dredging
project.</div>
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But, by 1899 there were approximately 125 crawls located at
Bailey’s Bluff, all kept under the keen eyes of watchmen Samuel B. Baker and
Benjamin Baker.</div>
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However, in 1900 certain spongers became dissatisfied with
Bailey’s Bluff and established about 40 new crawls half a mile closer to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Anclote</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">River</st1:placetype></st1:place> at John Sawyer’s place, commonly
called the Cabbage Kraals.</div>
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This seemed to only encourage the Baker’s to make their Bailey’s
Bluff operation more alluring to the coastal workers.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcbactBw1hANIGvPotsYPsRi4z7r0vRw4S-G5mWvDvBjq3l-ct3OFkTohy3xDMbNmTa6bnJCpYa6oxlg3EnUc4-uRcpVJuByMXmOpAt3hzx99x2JkuHnAd3ncQ-IhJhrQynHaRB7NZmx8/s1600/6342329174_e4bd703119_b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="589" data-original-width="1024" height="184" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFcbactBw1hANIGvPotsYPsRi4z7r0vRw4S-G5mWvDvBjq3l-ct3OFkTohy3xDMbNmTa6bnJCpYa6oxlg3EnUc4-uRcpVJuByMXmOpAt3hzx99x2JkuHnAd3ncQ-IhJhrQynHaRB7NZmx8/s320/6342329174_e4bd703119_b.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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To entice the fishermen, in March 1900 Samuel B. Baker,
Elizabeth Baker, his mother, and other family members deeded an 80’ by 105’ lot
to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pavilion</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Church</st1:placetype></st1:place> and Reading Room, pictured right, which became a reality within a
month.</div>
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Two months later, on July 16, 1900, Baker also received
approval to establish a post office on the bluff. He called the new office Security,
a name truly understood by the fishermen who found safety from storms along the
Anclote Anchorage and security for their catches at the Baker crawls.</div>
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For the fishermen, the Bakers also operated a small
mercantile store in conjunction with their various other ventures.</div>
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But, by 1905 some 500 Greek divers had arrived to Tarpon
Springs following A. & R.I. Sponge Company advertisements of guaranteed
work in the ever developing sponge industry.</div>
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This influx significantly changed the local scene and
created a vicious rivalry between the decades’ old Key West Conchs and the
newly arriving Greek Divers.</div>
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In November 1912, for $900, the Baker family sold their
Bailey’s Bluff property to young sponge house worker Joseph M. Blackburn, the
result of a court order to render care for two minor children.</div>
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As Tarpon Springs became the preferred headquarters for the
west coast sponging industry, Bailey’s Bluff eventually ceased as a central
location for the numerous sponging crawls.</div>
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The exact date the bluff activities halted is unknown.</div>
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In January 1956, the first unit of six in the upscale
Bailey’s Bluff subdivision was surveyed and platted into home lots. The natural
harbor of the bluff, now called Sleepy Lagoon, was dredged to create a deep
boating channel for easy access from these homes to the Gulf waters.</div>
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Today, the waters off Bailey’s Bluff are filled with boats
of a different kind-- those that utilize the Gulf waters for pleasure instead
of the livelihood of harvesting sponges like our pioneers of the bluff day’s
past.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460060539617736528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741706122074884124.post-13957100170117807872018-01-30T16:20:00.000-08:002018-01-30T16:22:03.934-08:00Pasco’s Lost Lineage of Ancient Nobility-- The Equivelley's<div class="MsoNormal">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihtxKlza1IGjZQF4ydbr7SSD9g-KAUZ5MR479V-Hbkraaqr5SSfigNw_-Vigp_rplUp65d7_JEPlyUiTCOMUly-KIznlsbRJo4JtpVEi4dpzKVqOxbfHSEc151b8UVAsfATLPvvrgoTco/s1600/img271%255B2%255D.JPG" imageanchor="1"><img alt="Countess Donna Blanca d’Equevilley with sons Gerald and Goree (From author's private collection)" border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="476" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhihtxKlza1IGjZQF4ydbr7SSD9g-KAUZ5MR479V-Hbkraaqr5SSfigNw_-Vigp_rplUp65d7_JEPlyUiTCOMUly-KIznlsbRJo4JtpVEi4dpzKVqOxbfHSEc151b8UVAsfATLPvvrgoTco/s320/img271%255B2%255D.JPG" title="Countess Donna Blanca d’Equevilley with sons Gerald and Goree (From author's private collection)" width="198" /></a></div>
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<b>Countess Donna Blanca d’Equevilley </b></div>
<div style="font-size: medium;">
<b>with sons Gerald and Goree (From author's private collection)</b></div>
</div>
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<br />
Today, when we reminisce of <st1:place w:st="on">Pasco</st1:place> past and history, our imaginations
might conjure up scenes of cows, crackers, orange groves, and alligators amidst
the backwoods swamp.</div>
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But, our history can lend much more to the imagination then just the backwoods of Florida.</div>
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How about a story of mid 19th century European royalty-- A story of mystery, intrigue, and knightly deeds?</div>
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That’s right royalty right here in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pasco</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</div>
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This story behind <st1:place w:st="on">Pasco</st1:place>’s
royal connections begins in Segedin on March 6, 1856, with the birth of the
Countess d’Equivelley — then known as D. Baroness Von Feilitzsch.</div>
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Born into one of the oldest family’s of European ancient
nobility, the first records of the Feilitsch family name date to the year 1296
— recognized for their knightly deeds and acts of valor.</div>
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Among their lineage was Mortiz Feilitzcsh who was named as a
knight of the Holy Grail.</div>
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Following the birth of the Baroness Von Feilitzsch in 1856, her father,
O. Baron Von Feilitzsch, was given charge of <st1:city w:st="on">Reus</st1:city>
in <st1:place w:st="on">Hesse</st1:place>, and, accompanied by his family, took
his residence at the castle in Gettenbach.</div>
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It was there the young Baroness Von Feilitzsch became a lady-in-waiting
to the Princess of Eisenberg, a cousin of the former King Louis XVI of <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region>.</div>
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Through the influences of the young Princess, the baroness then received
her appointment as lady-in-waiting to the court of the Prince of Saxe-Coburg
and <st1:city w:st="on">Gotha</st1:city>. In
these duties she attended on Princess Louise Marie of <st1:country-region w:st="on">Belgium</st1:country-region>, the eldest
daughter of King Leopold.</div>
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From <st1:city w:st="on">Coburg</st1:city>,
the Baroness returned to Dresden-Saxony where she attended the Princess of Solms,
until the fateful day of the princess’ suicide.</div>
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After those tragic circumstances the Baroness Von Feilitzsch
left her duties to care for her ailing father who was recuperating in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Mantenvers</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place>
from injuries sustained after falling from his horse.</div>
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This is where our noble story blossoms into one of romance.</div>
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There, she met a young French nobleman who was studying
forestry with the intent of receiving an appointment on the estates of Compte
de Rochambeau-- this young Frenchman the D. Count de Equevilley, son of D.
Marquis de Equevilley from the noble lineage of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Ecquevilly</st1:city>, <st1:country-region w:st="on">France</st1:country-region></st1:place>.</div>
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The two young people fell in love and, much to the dismay of
the baroness’ father, were married in September 1878.</div>
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While political troubles in <st1:place w:st="on">France</st1:place> were on the rise, the Count
d’Equevilley’s appointment to the estate of Compte de Rochambeau failed to
materialize.</div>
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Soon after their marriage, the countess received a letter from
her brother, A. Baron Von Feilitzsch, asking the newlyweds to join him in <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state> where he had recently invested in considerable
acreage and grove lands in the <st1:placetype w:st="on">Lake</st1:placetype> <st1:placename w:st="on">Weir</st1:placename> community of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Marion</st1:placename> <st1:placename w:st="on">County</st1:placename></st1:place>.</div>
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They graciously obliged the offer and soon after purchased a
home in the little town of <st1:city w:st="on">Summerfield</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>.</div>
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And, keeping with the customs of their home country, the walls
of their new abode were adorned with the family’s ancestral arms — an
intriguing sight to most of the locals.</div>
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In Summerfield, Count d’Equevilley took to farming while the countess became
a house wife-- a seemingly simple life.</div>
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In September 1883, they had their first child, a male, who,
in the traditions of the aristocratic titles, would have become the Viscount
Guy d’Equevilley.</div>
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But, in their new southern life-style, they attempted to
avoid these pomp royal titles and became widely known among the Summerfield community
simply as Mr. and Mrs. Count.</div>
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The d’Equevilley’s remained residents of Summerfield for
nearly 25-years, but in 1906, four years after the count purchased 40 acres of
pine land in <st1:city w:st="on">Hudson</st1:city>, they decided to move to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pasco</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</div>
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Settling in the little Catholic town of <st1:city w:st="on">San Antonio in east Pasco,</st1:city> where they knew no one, they
formally dropped their royal titles and quietly became Mr. and Mrs. Equevilley.</div>
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Madame Equevilley made significant investments in <st1:city w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:city> real estate.</div>
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For $250, she purchased two lots northwest of St. Anthony
Catholic Church from Mary L. Scott Gailmard — now the location of the Jiffy
Store and Deli at the intersection of State Road 52 and <st1:street w:st="on">College Avenue</st1:street>.</div>
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She also acquired 20-acres just west of town and a small
bungalow home on two-acres of prime real estate on the north side of the <st1:city w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:city> town plaza.</div>
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In 1915, Goree Acosta, the youngest Equevilley son, enrolled
at St. Leo College for what would be his only semester — dropping out after a
nasty land dispute between his father and St. Leo Abby over 40 acres.</div>
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Following this 1915-16 land dispute which eventually
ended in a favorable court ruling for St. Leo Abby, Count and Countess
Equevilley separated, but were never legally divorced.</div>
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While Count Equevilley returned to his farm in Summerfield, purporting to most that he was a widower, the Countess Equevilley remained in Pasco County with the boys —
Romaine, Goree, and Gerald Allen an adopted son.</div>
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Following a dispute between the school board and the St. Anthony Catholic School, in September 1918, she became the saving graces of public
education in <st1:city w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:city> — offering her downtown
bungalow to the school board for use as the <st1:city w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:city> public school.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After the school board visited <st1:city w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:city>, an arrangement was reached and
Madame Equevilley agreed to sell the lot and bungalow home situated on the west
side of today's <st1:street w:st="on">Joe Herrmann Drive</st1:street>,
near <st1:street w:st="on">McMullen Drive</st1:street>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 1926 she made her only return trip back to her home
country for business. However, after settling in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pasco</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>
in 1906 she would always consider the backwoods of Florida her home.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In 1944, at age 88, Madame Blanka Von Feilitzsch-
d’Equevilley died at her <st1:place w:st="on">San Antonio</st1:place>
home and was afterwards cremated.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Following her death, her son, Viscount Romaine F. Equevilley,
became <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>’s last
surviving male descendent of the noble Feilitzsch- d’Equevilley families.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
He lived the remainder of his life in <st1:city w:st="on">Hudson</st1:city> with his wife, Dora, and three
children — Baroness Shirley d’Equevilley, Baron Goree J. d’Equevilley, and
Baroness Astrid d’Equevilley.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Having dropped their noble titles, few in <st1:city w:st="on">Hudson</st1:city> knew of this family’s royal lineage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, the story of <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city></st1:place>’s
lost lineage of ancient nobility may be one of mystery and intrigue, but is
well deserving of its place within our history books.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460060539617736528noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8741706122074884124.post-48434834887404620352018-01-27T06:42:00.000-08:002018-01-27T06:42:07.206-08:00Pasco County’s Namesake-- Samuel Pasco<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZD8UUsvmmm1eqPbfUnRl7Gp3f47zIKHeHcg145YZwGghBzmZAfxzKuL6VL0hxzb73_ec___UVWTPEHhQdCE2xawoL2K5GOaJd_Hqmav-nzy2olat9FDtb3xZaR9s3IdZQqs_leKqlHgV/s1600/rc00832-+Samuel+Pasco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="754" data-original-width="600" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEZD8UUsvmmm1eqPbfUnRl7Gp3f47zIKHeHcg145YZwGghBzmZAfxzKuL6VL0hxzb73_ec___UVWTPEHhQdCE2xawoL2K5GOaJd_Hqmav-nzy2olat9FDtb3xZaR9s3IdZQqs_leKqlHgV/s320/rc00832-+Samuel+Pasco.jpg" width="254" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Today, 67 counties comprise the state of <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>, most of which carry the name of a state
or national political dignitary, or of a natural feature synonymous with the
respective county.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So how did <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pasco</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County get its </st1:placetype></st1:place>distinct name?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Prior to 1887 there was no Pasco County, instead we were
part of what was then known as Hernando County-- encompassing all of today’s
Citrus, Hernando, and Pasco Counties.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
On June 2, 1887, because of its sheer size and an enthusiasm
among the residents for division, Florida Governor Edward A. Perry signed into
law a bill to divide the <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> of <st1:placename w:st="on">Hernando</st1:placename> and make there from the Counties of Citrus
and <st1:place w:st="on">Pasco</st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a letter written May 25, 1927, by Florida Legislature Dr.
Richard Bankston, he recalled the processes it took to divide the county, and
wrote:</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i>In 1887, “Enthusiasm was spontaneous and hope ran high. The result was a
mass meeting which was attended by nearly all our male citizens, and was very
representative, there being present people from every precinct in the southern
end of the county. Unanimous sentiment was for division. After deliberation, it
was resolved that a committee of two be named to go to <st1:city w:st="on">Tallahassee</st1:city> in the interest of the desired
end… Mr. James Grady moved that we be instructed to call our county “Banner”
county.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It was late in the legislative session, and things looked
doubtful for the local delegation, charged with securing the new county with a
proposed name like “Banner.”</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Most favored the forming of the new counties, but the proposed
name “Banner” received great opposition since everyone believed that their county was a “Banner” county.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
It seemed as though the bill was dead, until inspiration
struck.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Earlier, the joint session in voting for United States
Senator had, very enthusiastically, elected Samuel Pasco to the position.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Bankston soon realized if the joint session had voted so
favorable in electing <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city> to the senate seat,
then how could they deny a name like <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>?</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
So, he immediately went to work on revising the bill with
the new, unobjectionable name, that neither session could refuse — <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pasco</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Introduced by Representative James Latham, the revised bill
passed the senate and house with only two dissenting votes. Bankston’s change
worked.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
On June 2, 1887 the bill was signed into law by Governor
Edward A. Perry, and on August 16, 1887 public lands officially transferred
from the <st1:placename w:st="on">Hernando</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype> government to the newly formed counties of
Citrus and <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>So, who is the man
behind the name?</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Born June 28, 1834 in <st1:city w:st="on">London</st1:city>,
<st1:country-region w:st="on">England</st1:country-region>, Samuel Pasco’s
family migrated to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>
in 1844 and settled in <st1:city w:st="on">Charlestown</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Massachusetts</st1:state>, where he graduated from the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Charleston</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">High School</st1:placetype></st1:place> in 1854.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
After high school, <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>
obtained higher education at <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Harvard</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">University</st1:placetype></st1:place>, where he
graduated in the Class of 1858 with a bachelor in arts.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
His graduation came with high recommendations to a group of
wealthy planters in Florida who wrote the college seeking someone qualified
enough to organize a school in their small neighborhood, about 20 miles east of
Tallahassee.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In January 1859, 25-year-old Samuel answered that written
request and moved to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Jefferson</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>. There, he took
charge of the newly established Waukeenah Boy’s Academy, as its principal and
primary educator.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
For the first few years he lived in Waukeenah’s town hotel,
but his quiet life of hotel living and teaching at the boy’s academy would soon
end and he’d be forced to face the difficult decision of enlistment during the
Civil War.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Speaking of <st1:place w:st="on">Pasco</st1:place>,
Gen. B. W. Partridge once said,</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<i>“In the third year of his life in the South—the call to arms
and War Between the States startled this great land of ours. Samuel
Pasco—without a drop of kindred blood south of Mason and <st1:city w:st="on">Dixon</st1:city>’s
Line—without a penny of investment in the South—with loved ones and influence
and wealth at home in <st1:city w:st="on">Boston</st1:city>—with
nothing to offer but a splendid manhood and spotless life—faced the problem of
a choice. With that calm temperament that always characterized his conduct in
life he left the quiet school house—not alone—carrying with him fifteen of the
young men—whose fathers were satisfied to give them up to the care of their
worthy preceptor.”</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Enlisting as a private with Company H, 3<sup>rd</sup>
Florida Infantry, <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city> and his students engaged
in some of the most historic battles of the war including Perryville, <st1:city w:st="on">Jackson</st1:city>, and <st1:city w:st="on">Chickamauga</st1:city>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<st1:city w:st="on"><br /></st1:city></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>
worked his way through the ranks serving as a company clerk and eventually as
sergeant.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In July 1863, under the heavy fire of the Battle of Jackson,
Mississippi, <st1:place w:st="on">Pasco</st1:place>
witnessed one of his students, Pvt. Thomas L. Pettus, fall on the battle field
after being struck by a Minnie ball or piece of shrapnel.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Writing in his diary, Pvt. Clarence W. Smith recalled that
fateful day when Pettus went down. He noted how <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city> rushed out among the wounded and dying
to retrieve his wounded comrade.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Pettus died the next day and for his gallant service, Confederate
Vice-President, General John C. Breckenridge, recognized <st1:place w:st="on">Pasco</st1:place> for his selfless acts on that horrific
day.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
But, in November 1863, <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>
himself would receive wounds during the Battle of Missionary Ridge, which
resulted in him being taken prisoner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Imprisoned at <st1:city w:st="on">Camp Morton</st1:city>, <st1:state w:st="on">Indiana</st1:state>, <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city> refused to
take an Oath of Allegiance to the <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> and remained in prison for 14
months, until paroled at war’s end.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In 1865 he resumed his position at <st1:placename w:st="on">Waukeenah</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype>, until being elected to his
first political seat — <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Jefferson</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>’s Clerk of the
Circuit Court.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
While having his deputy clerks tend to most of the duties, <st1:place w:st="on">Pasco</st1:place> devoted his
attention to the study of law, and, on October 5, 1868, was admitted to the
Florida Bar. He then joined his wartime commander, Col. D.S. Dilworth, in
forming the <st1:place w:st="on">Monticello</st1:place>
law firm of Dilworth-Pasco.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In September 1869, <st1:place w:st="on">Pasco</st1:place>
inherited Dilworth’s interest in the firm, most of which he was able to retain.
He also accepted a position as a trustee of the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Jefferson</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">Academy</st1:placetype></st1:place>
and soon after became known as a distinguished and prominent Mason in his
community.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
Today, <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>’s name appears
among the top 10,000 famous Freemasons in the <st1:country-region w:st="on">United States</st1:country-region>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In 1869 he was elected to the <st1:state w:st="on">Monticello</st1:state> town council, serving the
position for nine years and only after declining a re-election in 1878 to enter
a new career in state level politics.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
But, not before returning to Harvard to further his
education by earning his A.M. degree (Arts Master) in 1872 — the same year he
was seated on the Florida Democratic Executive Committee, a position that
allowed him to move up through the political ranks.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b>Political Offices & Positions Held by Samuel Pasco<o:p></o:p></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1866-1867- <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Jefferson</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place> Clerk of the Circuit Court</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1869-1878-
Councilman, Town of <st1:city w:st="on">Monticellow</st1:city></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1872- <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state> Democratic
Executive Committee</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1876-1886- Chairman
of the <st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place>
Democratic Executive Committee</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1880- Member of
Democratic National Committee</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1880- Elected Presidential
Elector for Democratic Ticket</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1885- President of
the <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>
Constitutional Convention</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1886- Democratic
Nominee for Governor’s Race (withdrew)</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1886- <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state> House of
Representative</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1887- Speaker of the <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state> House of Representatives</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1887- <st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region> Senator,
elected by Florida Legislature</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1893 Appointment by
Governor Mitchell to serve U.S. Senator <i>ad
interim<o:p></o:p></i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
1899-1905- Member of
the Isthmian Canal Project (Presidential appointment)</div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>Samuel Pasco visits <st1:placename w:st="on">Pasco</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place>.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
With his public and political life, serving as Grand Master
of the Florida F. & A.M. Lodges, and with family living in <st1:city w:st="on">Tampa</st1:city>,
it’s likely that Samuel Pasco passed through or came to <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pasco</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>
on several occasions.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
However, we have very few documented instances of his visiting
to the county that bears his name, and the few that we do have were no grand
affairs.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
On Oct. 24, 1891, the <i>Bismarck
Daily Tribune</i> reported one of the only known documented visits by Samuel
Pasco to the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Pasco</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype></st1:place>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<st1:city w:st="on"><br /></st1:city></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>’s 1891 visit was one of
business, arriving to <st1:placename w:st="on">Dade</st1:placename> <st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype> to attend a lengthy Florida Farmers’ <st1:place w:st="on">Alliance</st1:place> meeting where the
topic of discussion was reform of the organizations treasury plan.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
During the meeting, <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city>
went on the record against the proposed plan, which, after five hours, was
endorsed by the <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:placename w:st="on">Dade</st1:placename>
<st1:placetype w:st="on">City</st1:placetype></st1:place> chapter.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
After his service on the Isthmian Canal Project, <st1:city w:st="on">Pasco</st1:city> retired from public life to his home in <st1:state w:st="on">Monticello</st1:state>, <st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state>.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
In his retired life he devoted much of his time to giving
public addresses, including one before the Grand Lodge of Florida F. & A.M.
in 1905.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
He also enjoyed research and writing history including a
book titled <st1:placename w:st="on"><i>Jefferson</i></st1:placename><i> <st1:placetype w:st="on">County</st1:placetype>
<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state></st1:place>,
1827-1910.</i></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
On March 13, 1917, at age 83, Samuel Pasco died at the home
of his daughter Mrs. J.C. Tims in <st1:place w:st="on">Tampa</st1:place>.
His remains were returned to his home town of <st1:city w:st="on">Monticello</st1:city>,
<st1:state w:st="on">Florida</st1:state> where
he was buried in the town’s cemetery.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11460060539617736528noreply@blogger.com2