Freemanville, Florida

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Freemanville is a section of Port Orange, Florida, settled by freed blacks after the U.S. Civil War. John Milton Hawks brought freed blacks to the area to work at his sawmill, but various issues caused it to fail, leading to struggles for the colony. Despite these challenges, some colonists remained and settled the area that became known as Freemanville.

The Mount Moriah Baptist Church, constructed in 1911, is believed to be the area's last remaining remnant building. A commemorative plaque and an annual Freemanville commemoration celebrate the area's heritage. Esther Hill Hawks established what may have been Florida's first integrated school to serve the community.

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For the black settlement in Florida see Freemanville, Florida

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Mount Moriah Baptist Church was built in Port Orange, Florida in 1911. Built to serve black residents, it was located in an area that came to be known as Freemanville and is believed to be the last remaining building from the settlement. Freed blacks settled the area to work at a lumber company started by John Milton Hawks, but sandy soil, corruption, and planning issues led to a rapid decline as the colony struggled. A plaque commemorate the area's history. It is part of the Black Heritage Trail. It has been suggested that Esther Hawks established Florida's first integrated school in the area. An annual Freeman Day Ceremony commemorates the heritage. The church was renovated in 1956.

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    29°08′54″N80°59′38″W / 29.1483°N 80.9938°W / 29.1483; -80.9938