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.
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
Note: Value = plantation value in United States dollars.[ when? ] 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 | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
William Alderman | $5000 | 980 acres (4.0 km2) | 500 acres (2 km2) | 480 acres (1.9 km2) | 36 | 3000 | 75 | [ citation needed ] |
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 | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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) | [ citation needed ] | |||||
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 | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Miccosukee | $35,000 | 2,517 acres (10 km2) | 1,400 acres (6 km2) | 1,300 acres (5 km2) | 80 | 5000 | 180 | [ citation needed ] |
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 | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
E. P. Johnson | $1410 | 88 acres (360,000 m2) | 388 acres (1.6 km2) | N/A | $10 | $260 | [ citation needed ] |
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 |
Oaklawn Plantation was a large plantation of 5326 acres (21½ km2) in northern Leon County in the U.S. state of Florida. It was established around 1850 by Captain William Lester of Burke County, Georgia.
Burgesstown Plantation was a large forced-labor farm of 8,100 acres (3,300 ha) in northern Leon County, Florida, United States established by Frederich R. Cotten between 1850 and 1855. Cotten used the forced labor of enslaved people to work his land, which was primarily devoted to growing cotton as a cash crop.
Bannerman Plantation was a forced-labor farm of about 1,500 acres (610 ha) and located in northwest Leon County, Florida, just north of the old unincorporated community of Meridian and west-northwest of Lake Iamonia. Bannerman Plantation was established in 1852 or earlier by Charles Bannerman of North Carolina, who by 1860 had enslaved 67 people to work his land.
The James A. Kirksey Plantation was a moderate plantation of 2,600 acres (1,100 ha) located in northwestern Leon County, Florida, United States, established by James A. Kirksey. In 1847 he served as mayor of Tallahassee. He had a large number of slaves.
The William A. Carr Plantation was a small cotton plantation of 2,000 acres (8.1 km2) in northwestern Leon County, Florida, established by William A. Carr.
Blakely Plantation was a forced-labor farm of 900 acres (360 ha) located in extreme northeast Leon County, Florida. In 1850, the farm included 800 acres worked by 51 enslaved people.
Chemonie Plantation was a forced-labor farm of 1,840 acres (740 ha) in northern Leon County, Florida, United States established by Hector Braden. By 1860, 64 enslaved people worked the land, which was primarily used to produce cotton as a cash crop.
Casa de Laga Plantation was a forced-labor farm of 1,228 acres (497 ha) located in west central Leon County, Florida, United States established by George Alexander Croom. It was also known as the Ball and McCabe Place and later as Shidzuoka. In 1860, 70 enslaved people worked the land, which was primarily devoted to producing cotton as a cash crop.
La Grange Plantation was a large cotton plantation of 4,150 acres (1,680 ha) located in central Leon County, Florida, United States established by Joseph John Williams.
Evergreen Hills Plantation was a large cotton plantation of 6700 acres (27 km2) located in eastern Leon County, Florida, United States established by Green H. Chaires.
Verdura Plantation was a large cotton plantation of 9,440 acres (3,820 ha) in eastern Leon County, Florida, United States established by Benjamin Chaires.
Joseph Chaires Plantation was a large cotton plantation of 3,800 acres (1,500 ha) located in southern Leon County, Florida, United States owned by Joseph Chaires.
The House Place Plantation was a small cotton plantation of 1,800 acres (730 ha) located in central Leon County, Florida, United States established by R.A. Whitfield.
Walnut Hill Plantation was a small cotton plantation of 2,120 acres (860 ha) located in northern Leon County, Florida, United States owned by Thomas Anderson Bradford.
The Francis Eppes Plantation was a cotton plantation of 1,920 acres (8 km2) situated in east-central Leon County, Florida, United States and established by Francis W. Eppes in 1829.
The R. G. Shepard Plantation was a small cotton plantation of 1,400 acres (570 ha) located in south central Leon County, Florida, United States established by R.G. Shepard.
Ingleside Plantation was a forced-labor farm of 2,620 acres (1,060 ha) located in extreme northeast Leon County, Florida and established by Joel C. Blake. In 1860, Blake was enslaving 116 people to work his land, which was mostly devoted to producing cotton as a cash crop.
Miccosukee Plantation was a medium-sized cotton plantation of 2,517 acres (10 km2) located in eastern Leon County, Florida, USA. It was developed by John Miller, from Duplin County, North Carolina, who had migrated south during the period of Indian Removal in the 1830s. He depended on the labor of enslaved African Americans to develop the plantation and produce cotton as a commodity crop.
The William D. Bloxham Plantation was a small cotton plantation of 1,400 acres (5.7 km2) located southwest of Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida, United States, established by William D. Bloxham.
Barrow Hill Plantation was a large forced-labor farm of 3,990 acres (1,610 ha) located in central Leon County, Florida, United States. It was established by John S. Winthrop, who by 1860 enslaved 71 people to work his land, which was primarily dedicated to growing cotton as a cash crop.
First published in 1968