Jefferson County Historical Sites Survey

Story Courtesy of the Aucilla Research Institute
as submitted by Dr. Willet Boyer.

Jefferson County, Fla., has had humans living here for more than 14,000 years – and leaving behind traces of their presence. Archaeological sites ranging from ancient Paleoindian sites to recent times are present throughout the area and are a large part of the focus of study for the Aucilla Research Institute (ARI), located in Monticello.
Prior to European contact, the Apalachee Indians grew corn, beans and squash here. The first Spanish accounts of the area describe vast areas of land cleared for fields in crops, with towns and farmsteads of the Apalachee scattered between them. During the time of Spanish missionization of the Apalachee, beginning in 1633, this region served as the “breadbasket” of Spanish Florida, where much of the food which fed the Florida colony was grown, and where the first cattle ranches in Florida were created. In the eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, after the Apalachee were driven from the area, Creek and Seminole Indians, English traders, Spanish soldiers, and, after the American Revolution, the new United States vied for control of the rich resources of the Big Bend and the Panhandle. Once the United States acquired Florida in 1821, American settlers and planters, many bringing African slaves, built a plantation economy that lasted through the time of the Civil War and which shaped the later economy and culture of the region. All of these diverse peoples left their marks in this area, and historical and archaeological sites help to tell the story of Jefferson County’s human past.
ARI, with Dr. Willet Boyer serving as principal investigator, has recently completed the first phase of a historical sites survey, focusing on 19th century historical structures and cemeteries, as a part of a larger research study cataloging and recording sites throughout the region for their protection and preservation. Jefferson County, founded in 1827, has a uniquely high number of historical structures and cemeteries which remain intact, most of which are associated with historical archaeological sites which can provide a great deal of information to modern observers about life in the past. Almost equally unique, these historical and archaeological sites are tied to the present-day communities of Jefferson County – many of whom are direct descendants of the original settlers in this region.
Many of the oldest 19th century cemeteries and structures within Jefferson County are associated with the antebellum plantations established in this region between 1827 and 1860. A number of the historical structures associated with the plantations remain in existence, including not only the main houses of the landowners but also smaller “support” structures such as barns or servants’ quarters.
But it is the cemeteries that have been the largest focus of the current research. Keep in mind that Jefferson County had large plantations and with them large populations of people compared to other areas of the state. Since development of plantation lands has been minimal compared to the urbanization elsewhere in Florida, most of the historical cemeteries remain undisturbed even though some are unmarked. This heritage provides a unique opportunity to understand patterns of settlement and land use during 19th century Florida in an area that was a population and agricultural center It is an important part of our area’s history. Burials of the dead during the 19th century normally took place relatively quick compared to the modern era, near the areas where people lived and worked. Studying the patterns of cemeteries on the landscape gives a clearer picture for modern researchers about how and where people lived in the nineteenth century.
Furthermore, cemeteries of that period also provide a window into understanding economic, social, cultural and religious practice at the time. The initial phase of the survey has shown that, in many cases, the owners of the land and their workers, many slaves, were frequently buried close to one another. Near cemeteries with markers of status such as aboveground crypts of brick and marble, in many cases, they reside near much larger areas of unmarked burials, likely those of enslaved plantation workers. In a number of cases, based on later visible markers, oral histories, and continued use of the land, African-American families continued to use the older areas for burials and churches for worship – and continue to do so through the present day. Many families, both white and African-American, whose ancestors settled or were brought here during the early nineteenth century, have descendants still living in the area, and whose history and culture are extremely important for understanding both Florida and American history.
The expanded survey of Jefferson County’s historical and archaeological sites will continue over the next months, and sites discovered during the survey will be recorded to help with their permanent protection and preservation. Should anyone want to assist with the survey, or with gathering information about local history and sites, please contact Dr. Willet Boyer at the Aucilla Research Institute at landoftherivers@hotmail.com.