History of Bayport and the Bayport Cemetery
Section 30 - Township 22 - Range 17
(Copyright © 2008 by Jeff Cannon- materials and photos may NOT be reproduced without written consent of the autor and contributors)
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| [Left] Major John Parsons, founder of Bayport. [Center] John Decatur Parsons, son of Major John and Susan Decatur Parsons. [Right] Susan Decatur Parsons, wife of John Parsons, holding their daughter Susan. Both Parsons children were born in Bayport, Hernando County Florida. (Photo courtesy of the Parsons Family- Not for reproduction) |
The history surrounding Bayport and the
Bayport Cemetery are relatively unresearched. Bayport is known as
a small coastal fishing community in Hernando County, however Bayport has a
deep rich history. Situated at the mouth of Mud River and the
spring fed Weeki Wachee River at the Gulf of Mexico, Bayport has been
the scene of activity for over one hundred years. Bayport has one of
the more fascinating histories of Hernando County and in the early
years the Town of Bayport was a thriving coastal community of Hernando
County. While there had been a military road built to the area in 1838 during the Second Seminole Indian War, by
Col. William
Davenport, settlers did
not choose Bayport as a place of settlement until much later. Most
of the property in Bayport was purchased property and was not
homesteaded by settlers. On March 3, 1845, Florida became the
twenty-seventh state accepted into the United States, shortly after, a
survey of the entire state was ordered. Between February and June
of 1851 the original survey of the area surrounding Bayport was
completed. As Florida was opened to settlement under the Armed
Occupation Act of 1842, many properties settled under this act were
surveyed for the first time during the original survey of the state.
These properties were clearly identified on the original surveys
with the names of the settlers marked, we can clearly see that there
were no homesteaders in the area of Bayport at the completions of the
original survey dated 1851. This shows and establishes that the
community of Bayport did not exist prior to 1851, unless settlers were
squatting in the area prior to their purchase of property, which was
not uncommon.
Shortly after the completion of the original survey of the Bayport area, settlers would become interested in this coastal area along Hernando County, specifically Major John Parsons. As the State of Florida was strongly promoting internal improvement, through the State's Internal Improvement Board, areas along the proposed Florida Railroad began to grow. David Levy Yulee, heading the Florida Railroad Company, was underway building Florida's first railroad that would stretch from Fernandina Beach (Jacksonville) to Cedar Key. Once completed the railroad was to be extended to Tampa Bay with spur-lines running to the coastal areas where ports could be established. Bayport, at its inception, was planned as one of these ports by Major John Parsons who was also a business partner to David Levy Yulee. Fernandina Beach and Cedar Key had become the state's largest and busiest ports and by connecting these ports with a railroad it would essentially connect the Gulf and the Atlantic increasing exports from the State of Florida. (Please read the History of Salt Springs for more history about Col. William Davenport and the building of the first road to the Bayport area.)
This original survey map completed in 1851 shows that the Bayport area was void of settlers and was an intricate series of creek and rivers. (click here for larger image) (Map courtesy of State of Florida)
On August 12, 1852, Thomas H. Parsons, a Levy County resident and family friend to then State Senator David Yulee, purchased the first piece of property in what would soon become known as Bayport. Thomas Henry Parsons was a nephew to John Parsons who was also the business partner of David Levy Yulee, through the Florida Railroad Company. John Parsons and David Levy Yulee were not only involved with the Florida Railroad Company but they were also engaged in their own business ventures throughout the state, the Yulee-Parsons partnership were owners of large amounts of property and interest throughout the State of Florida.
According to Parsons Family research, Thomas and John Parsons were both born in the port town Rye, New Hampshire and were of the wealthy and prominent Parsons Family of that town. John Parsons was born on January 4, 1816 to parents Dr. John Wilkes Parsons and Abigail Garland. Dr. John Wilkes Parsons also served as State Senator for New Hampshire where he would meet and befriend Florida Senator and railroad king David Levy Yulee. It would be this family connection that would bring John Parsons and David Yulee together here in Florida. It was ultimately the military service of John Parsons that would bring him to the Florida Frontier. In 1836 at the age of 20 years old, John Parsons, would take up his military service in the Second Seminole Indian Wars of Florida where he served under General Harney. Eventually Parsons was transferred to service on the staff of General Reed and promoted to the title of Major.
The birth date of Thomas Henry Parsons is unknown, however he was born to parents Col. Thomas Jefferson Parsons and Esther Brown Parsons. Col. Thomas Jefferson Parsons was brother to Major John Parsons. Col. Thomas Parsons was educated at Hampton and Exeter, served as a member of the New Hampshire State Senate and also camp to his excellency where he carried the rank of colonel. The first child born to the union of Col. Thomas J. and Ester Brown Parsons was Thomas Henry Parsons, again birth date unknown.
Eventually John and Thomas Henry Parsons moved south to Florida where they made Cedar Key their home, before moving south to Hernando County. Cedar Key is located in Levy County, which was named for the Parsons Family friend Senator David Levy Yulee. On August 12, 1852, while living at Cedar Key in Levy County, Thomas H. Parsons purchased 80 acres of property from the State of Florida, which he paid through the land office in Newmansville (Gainesville). This property is described as the west half of the south west quarter ofsection 30, township 22, range 17 and would eventually become known as downtown Bayport. Thomas H. Parsons was the first settler and person to purchase property in the area of Bayport. With the purchase of the 80 acre property both John and Thomas Parsons would relocate from Cedar Key to the coastal area of Hernando County. John Parsons had not acquired property upon moving to the coastal area of Hernando County but instead settled on property that was owned and purchased by his nephew, Thomas H. Parsons. Soon after relocating to the newly acquired property in Hernando County the construction of a large colonial style home would begin. Eventually John Parsons would also move his wife Susan Decatur Parsons from Levy County to the newly acquired Parsons property in Bayport. John Parsons eventually purchased a portion of his brothers 80 acres, date unknown. It is not known if Thomas Parsons would eventually build his own home or if he continued to live in the large colonial style home said to have been built by John Parsons. As John Parsons became settled his dream of building a small port town along the coast of Hernando County would start becoming a reality and he immediately began promotion of the town he now called Bayport.
By December of 1852, shortly after Thomas H. Parsons purchased his property, the residents of Hernando County proposed a resolution that was presented to the Florida House of Representatives. This resolution was titled, "a resolution in relations to the establishment of Port of Delivery at Bayport." This resolution was presented to the House of Representatives and Senate for the purpose of being made a State Law and read as follows,
| "Whereas, Bayport, on the Gulf of Mexico, in the County of Hernando,
possesses great advantage for facilitating the commerce of that section
of the State: And whereas, It is the desire of the people thereabout to
have said Port opened, that the trade, industry, productions of said
section may received such encouragement as commercial facilities can
give, [and] as their increasing importance demands: Therefore, Be it resolved by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the State of Florida in General Assembly convened, That our Representatives be requested and our Senators instructed to use their utmost en devours and influences to produce the passage of a Law declaring and establishing said Bayport, a Port of Delivery, and a copy hereof be transmitted by the Governor of this State to said Representatives and Senators in Congress immediately after the passage of this resolution." |
Furthermore by January 1853, immediately following the resolution and act establishing Bayport as a Port of Delivery, a new resolution would be presented to the House of Representatives. On Friday, January 7, 1853, Florida State Representative Edward Carrington Cabell presented the house with a new resolution regarding the ports of Bayport. According to House documents, "The following petitions and joint resolutions were laid on the Clerk's table, under the 24th rule of the House, to wit: By Mr. Cabell: A joint resolution of the legislature of the State of Florida, relative to the establishment of a port of entry at Bayport, in said state." It is believed this resolution was also passed into state law within the weeks following its presentation to the House by Representative E.C. Cabell. This resolution further opened the commerce, trade and population of Bayport as it was now opened not only to delivery but also entry into the State of Florida. Along with these resolution came a number of responsibilities and customs laws that the new port of Bayport was required to follow. According to Federal Statutes revised between 1853-54,
| "Sec.2819. When any merchandise is intended to be
imported from any foreign country to the port of Bayport, in Florida,
such merchandise may be entered at Saint Mark's, and thereafter
transported to Bayport, upon compliance of sections twenty-eight
hundred and twenty-five to twenty-eight hundred and thirty-one,
inclusive. Sec. 2825. The importer of any merchandise destined for any of the ports mentioned in the nine preceding section [included Bayport] shall deposit in the custody of the surveyor of such ports of delivery a schedule of the goods so intended to be imported, with an estimate of their cost at the place of exportation, whereupon the surveyor shall make an estimate of the amount of duties accruing on the same, and the importer or consignee shall give bond, with sufficient sureties, to be approved by the surveyor, in double the amount of the duties so estimated, conditioned for the payment of the duties on such merchandise, ascertained as hereinafter directed; and the surveyor shall forthwith notify the collector at the port of entry for the collection-district to which port of delivery is attached, of the same by forwarding to him a copy of bond and schedule. |
I will not go into listing the rest of
the sections outlining the laws that had to be followed by the port of
Bayport, however if these laws were not followed the port could lose
the right, under law, to be considered a port. Any foreign
country intending to ship merchandise and goods through Bayport had to
first go through the St. Mark's Port. After the vessels were
checked at the St. Mark's Port they could then proceed to Bayport,
where they again had to have their vessels checked, providing the
surveyor of each port a schedule of merchandise aboard the vessels.
Each port collected fees from all foreign vessels for the passage
of their goods and merchandise through said ports, Bayport was
included. While Bayport was now an established port in accordance
with law, there were still no residents other than Thomas H. Parsons
who had just purchased property a year or so prior to the establishment
of Bayport as port.
In conjunction with Bayport being established a Port of Delivery and Port of Entry improvements had to be made to the small community, which had little to attract one to settle. John Parsons immediately began to promote the community he named Bayport. John Parsons also committed to building the community by financing numerous major improvements to the new town. John Parsons paid and contracted a surveyor to plat out a town site, which at its center he made a 3-acres park for residents. As traffic to the area increased the roads to the area became muddy and impassible with the thick salty mud created by the high tides and rains. Parsons also paid for the construction of a corduroy causeway that connected Bayport, an island, to the mainland. The corduroy causeway was constructed of large timbers that had been cut from the area and laid in the low lying areas where wagons could not pass to the island. This main road was fortified with logs cut from the area allowing the wagons unobstructed access making it easier for commerce. These early roads were commonly called "corduroy roads", named for the bumpy ride one would take while passing over these roads as if though one was riding over corduroy. This corduroy causeway when completed was an amazing 40 yards or 120 feet long and connected the Bayport Island to the Hernando County mainland allowing access to the downtown area of the new Village of Bayport.
With the Port of Bayport now falling under customs laws it also became necessary to construct a customs house where incoming vessels could be checked in accordance with U.S. Customs Laws. Near to the customs house residents constructed a wharf that extended from land towards the shipping channel, where boats could load and unload merchandise. This wharf was also located at the end of Bayport's Main Street and would become the downtown commercial area. The waters leading to the port of Bayport were clearly marked with channel stakes. These channel stakes were placed along the deep areas cut along Bayport by the Mud River and Weeki Wachee River and where they empty into the Gulf of Mexico. These channel stakes safely guided vessels through the deeper waters of the shores of Bayport, as the water outside these channel stakes was extremely shallow and vessels could easily get stranded. Across the channel from Bayport a small light beacon was constructed on a point of land that extended towards the mouth of the channel, this beacon was commonly called the Bayport Lighthouse. At night this beacon was visible by passing vessels who were seeking the port of Bayport, the beacon also kept these vessels from running aground this point of land. Near to the customs house and wharf John Parsons also constructed a large storage house where the goods and merchandise of area residents could be stored while waiting to be loaded onto the shipping vessels.
According to state land records, on May 7, 1853, Hernando County resident Thomas W. Day purchased 160 acres of property in Bayport. This property is further described as the north-west quarter of section 30, township 22, range 17 in Hernando County. Thomas Day's property was situated and adjoined to the north of Thomas H. Parsons 80 acres as described above, however by 1854 Thomas Day would sell and relinquish his interest in this Bayport property. It is believed Thomas Day made a large profit by selling his Bayport property and this may be the reasoning for the sale so quickly.
On February 1, 1854 John Parsons would purchase the Thomas Day 160 acres and all of his nephew, Thomas H. Parsons, 80 acres for $3000. With this purchase John Parsons became the controlling property owner in Bayport, however he did not stop there with his purchase of property. In addition to the purchase of the Thomas Parsons and Day property, John Parsons also purchased an additional 80 acres of property making his purchased a combined total of 280 acres of property. According to the 1854 deed for the John Parsons purchase, the properties are further described as the west half of the southwest quarter of section 30, township 22, range 17 [ Thomas Parson 80 acres], the northwest quarter of section 30, township 22, range 17 [Thomas Day 160 acres] and Lot #2 or the east half of the southeast quarter of section 25, township 22, range 16 [80 additional acres purchased by John Parsons]; totaling 280 acres. (Click here to view Feb. 1, 1854 John Parsons deed this 280 acres.) This would be one of the largest land transaction to occur in Bayport's History.
Since Thomas Day had acquired and purchased his 160 acres from the State of Florida but had not yet received the deed or title, Thomas had to make a deed relinquishing all his title-rights and interest that he had through his purchase from the state. While Thomas Day had deeded his 160 acres to John Parsons, the deed conveying his final interest and title-rights was conveyed to both Thomas and John Parsons. On May 20, 1854 Thomas Day relinquished his remaining title and interest through a deed, where Day further requested that the patent that he had purchased, be issued to both John and Thomas Parsons. Thomas H. Parsons and John Parsons now had an equal right and interest to the former 160 acres owned by Thomas Day. (Click here to view May 20, 1854 deed) Both Thomas and John Parsons now had deed and interest to the majority of Bayport's property. Following this acquisition of property Thomas and John Parsons proceeded to have their property platted into the town site of Bayport, which consisted of North Bayport and South Bayport. South Bayport was the section of the Parsons land to contain what became downtown Bayport where commerce was to take place, while North Bayport was the residential section of the town where the residents lived.
With the construction of the Bayport wharf's and warehouse and the arrival of new residents, John Parsons also opened a large General Store in Bayport sometime ca. 1854. By this time Bayport had grown to have about sixty (60) residents, Parsons General Store was a place for the locals to meet and trade with the outsiders arriving via the port, here Parsons conducted a very good and profitable trade business. With the building of the new town of Bayport underway and some building completed, John Parsons began the time staking task of promoting his newly built town and he contact and wrote to many of the state's newspaper, which then was the only way of promotion. Most newspapers of the time were published state wide and was a great way to notify people throughout.
On August 31, 1854 the Tampa Herald newspaper published a story about the new town of Bayport, with correspondents from the field. Here is the 1854 article in its entirety:
With Bayport being an established port of delivery, it was necessary to have a post office so that the port's customs officer could receive and forward correspondents pertaining to vessel schedules and manifest as required by Customs Law. Through petitioning the Post Master General's Office in Washington D.C., Bayport residents filed their application receiving their own post office, it is believed this application was made by Thomas Parsons. [NOTE: We plan to make the original application available in the near future] According to A History of Hernando County 1840-1976 by Richard J. Stanaback, by 1854 the necessity for a community post office became prevalent. As Bayport was awarded a post office in 1854 by the Office of the Post Master General, resident Thomas H. Parsons would represent the the Bayport Community serving as first post master. Serving as the Bayport Post Master, Thomas Parsons likely kept the post office in the large Parsons home, just as many early post masters from this time period.
The arrival of mail to Bayport itself carries a rather obscured and unique history. About the same time Bayport received its new Post Office, Kentucky native and Florida resident, James Felix Tucker, was awarded a mail route contract to Bayport. James Tucker had property interests in Jefferson County Florida at the time and through his marriage to Virginia H. Bailey he was related to the prominent Seminole Indian War Veteran Col. William J. Bailey who had large property interest in Hernando County, where Tucker would eventually settle.
According to The Madison Enterprise, James Tucker lived in Madison and engaged in commercial steamboating on the Suwanee River. The first commercial steamer on the Suwanee River was owned and operated by James Tucker and was named "Glascow". Tucker ran his steamer as far up the river as Columbus, where the Withlacoochee meets the Suwanee River. The large steamer, owned by Tucker, could only come up the river that far and when the river was high. During one trip the bottom of the "Glascow" was ripped out on the shoals in the river. Tucker steered his streamer towards the bank of the river where it then sank. Today the "Glascow's" engine and large sidewheels are on display in the Suwanee River State Park.
After the tragic loss of his first steamer Tucker decided to continue with his business and had a second boat constructed for use on the Suwanee River. Tucker's new steamer was 120 feet long, 22 feet wide, 4 feet deep and was called the "Madison" after the small town in Jefferson County where he lived for a period. With his new steamer "Madison", Captain Tucker won a mail contract in 1855 to run on the Suwanee River and Columbus became the terminal for the twice-a-month service which began at the town of Bayport, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico. Tucker made the trip from Bayport to Columbus twice each month, carrying not only the mail but also hauling freight and passengers. The "Madison", with Tucker behind the helm, carried merchandise which was traded to area settlers for money, cow hides, honey venison, eggs, ham, chickens and many other items from the area plantations. As the "Madison" chugged up to the wharf's at Bayport, Tucker would blow the whistle so that people could come to the landing ready for trade. According to a Fernandina newspaper advertisement,
A year or so before the start of the Civil War, Tucker is said to have enjoyed a comfortable life style from an income of $30,000 from his two mail contracts. At the start of the Civil War, Capt. James F. Tucker enlisted with the Confederate States and this is where he received his title of Captain. By 1863 the war efforts in the south were not going so well and Tucker decided that he had to sink his steamer "Madison" and to raiser her from this watery grave once the war was over. This was his attempts to not have his boat confiscated by the U.S. Army for supporting the Confederacy. A group of citizens had asked Tucker if they could bring a load of corn up the Suwanee River and then he could sink her in the Troy Springs. Tucker followed through delivered the corn and proceeded to sink the steamer "Madison" as planned. As the war raged on the steamers boiler tubes were removed and taken to the coast where they were used in salt making. Area farmer removed the smokestacks, which were cut up and used as sugarcane furnace funnels. The lumber from the steamer's cabin was torn up and used in the construction of local farm homes and out buildings. Today the haul of the "Madison" still lays along the spring run of Troy Springs along the Suwanee River. This author himself has stood on the old remains of the once active steamboat "Madison".
Capt. Tucker eventually represented Col. William J. Bailey's estate and became the owner of the colonel's 850 acres in Hernando County, located in the Annatuligua Hammock. For a time Tucker and his family located to this 850 acres before moving to Brooksville. (Click here to read a bio on Capt. James F. Tucker)
Soon after the establishment of the Bayport Post Office and Capt. James F. Tucker was awarded the mail route of Bayport and Columbus, Bayport would receive the addition of an officially named hotel that was promoted throughout the State of Florida. While the large colonial style home of John Parsons had been receiving guest for a few years it was not deemed an official hotel for sometime. John Parsons had marked his home as being open to those who decided to conduct business in the town or were interested in the purchase of town lots. By ca. 1854 Hernando County resident Isaac Garrison had purchased lots in Bayport and soon after started construction of his new home and what would also serve as Bayport's first hotel. It is believed that Isaac Garrison was assisted in construction of the hotel by his son William Michael Garrison. Many hotel's throughout Florida were marked as health resorts where people could come and enjoy the warm Gulf air, which was believed to relieve certain ailments. As Garrison completed construction on his new home and hotel it became time to choose a name and The Bay-Port House was decided.
The year of 1855 was a year for advertising and promoting Bayport, both Parsons and Garrison were advertising and promoting their business through several state-wide newspapers. In April of 1855 John Parsons advertised his Bayport store in a state wide newspaper, here we see the full scope of the general store being operated by Parsons. According to the ad, "Parsons keeps a large and general assortment of merchandise suitable for the planters and country trade generally." John Parsons was willing and ready to trade all kinds of produce for his merchandise, this allowed trade without money. By December of 1855 Isaac Garrison began advertising his Bay-Port House in Florida newspapers. According to the Florida Historical Quarterly, at that time The Bay-Port House was one the southernmost hotel health resorts for invalids.
In December of 1854 the Florida State Legislature and House of Representatives decided upon Bay Port as the county seat in place of Pierceville [Brooksville], the change in county seat was to occur after June 1, 1855. With the business of Hernando County now shifted to the coast of the county and to Bayport, residents were responsible for providing a new county court house. According to a July 23, 1942 article in The Brooksville Journal, "it is said that at the time when Bayport was county seat of Hernando, court was held in the Garrison home."
By December of Jon Parsons had built a number of commercial building in Bayport and was ready to have one of those buildings sold or leased to another business who was willing to do their business in Bayport. At this time Parsons had employed family friend, John Edward Johnson, to conduct and carry out some of his personal business. John Johnson was hired and acted as an agent to John Parsons. John E. Johnson was the son of John Greenlief and Sally B. Mace Johnson from Rye, New Hampshire; the same town as John Parsons. John E. Johnson's g.g.grandfather had served as a drummer in the Revolutionary War under a one Capt. Parsons, relative to John Parsons. John Edward Johnson and John Parsons had family ties back to the mid 1600's in New Hampshire and were good trusted friends and now Bayport partners in business. In December 1855 John E. Johnson, acting as agent for John Parsons, advertised the sale or lease of a large store-house situated at Bayport and owned by John Parsons. It is believed that John Parsons retained his interest in this large store-house and rented the building to local residents.
Over the next couple of years, between 1854 and 1856, the population of Bayport continued to increase little by little as more people purchased lots in the town of Bayport. It must be kept in mind that Bayport, at its peak, only consisted of 10 or 15 pertinent resident families who were responsible for the operation of the town and port facilities. On March 6, 1856 Hernando County Probate Judge Perry G. Wall purchased 4 downtown lots from John Parsons for $85.00. The deed conveying these 4 lots included a small map showing the location of Judge Walls property, which was located at the corner of High and Main Streets in downtown Bayport (see map from deed below). It is believed that Judge Wall used his Bayport property to conduct the business of the county while the county seat was located at Bayport. According to the 1856 deed, one of Judge Wall's lots measured 80x80 while the other three lots, together, measured 100x130. The small map that accompanied Judge Perry G. Wall's deed also shows several other downtown property owners, which included Isaac Garrison owner of The Bay-Port House Hotel, Thomas Ellis and Peter Peterson; all being husbands and fathers. Peter Peterson was from Denmark and was a fisherman and sailor by trade, his property was located next to Judge Perry G. Wall's property. The map below is the oldest and only known map of downtown Bayport to exist today as courthouse records were destroyed by fire in 1872.
This map appeared on the
March 6, 1856 deed conveying 3 downtown Bayport lots from John Parsons
to Hernando County Probate Judge Perry G. Wall. Note the names of
other property owners near to Judge Wall, this is the earliest and known
only portion of the Bayport plat map that exist. (click here to view 1856 Perry G. Wall deed)
The relocation of the county seat was short lived as delegates and Hernando County residents found it extremely difficult to reach Bayport to conduct their business, remember at this time Hernando County was comprised of present day Citrus, Hernando and Pasco County. A resident living on the southern or northern end of the county would have to travel between 30 and 40 miles, by horse and carriage, to reach the court house located at Bayport. In 1856 the Florida State Legislature would repeal their selection of Bay Port as county seat of Hernando County and recommended that the voters choose a county seat, which would be located within five miles of the center of the county. While residents were deciding the new location, court was to be held as close as possible to the former location of the county seat, being Pierceville [Brooksville]. The change in the county seat seemed to have no effect on the new commerce now being conducted Bayport.
In October of 1856 the Surveyor Generals Office in St. Augustine published a map of the state titled, "A Plat Exhibiting the State of the Surveys in the State of Florida." This state map is the earliest known map showing the location of Bayport along the coast of Hernando County. This map also shows that residents had constructed a road from Pierceville [Brooksville] to the ports at Bayport. It was this road that allowed the residents access to the wharfs at Bayport. According to one time resident of Bayport, Cyprian T. Jenkins, families who were living in Bayport from its beginning included John Parsons, Isaac Garrison, John E. Johnson and others who have already been documented but not listed by Jenkins. The Johnson Family consisted of John, his wife Hannah who was born in Germany and their only child at the time, 4 year old son, Greenlief Johnson, who had been born in 1850 in Hernando County.
In conjunction with Bayport being established a Port of Delivery and Port of Entry improvements had to be made to the small community, which had little to attract one to settle. John Parsons immediately began to promote the community he named Bayport. John Parsons also committed to building the community by financing numerous major improvements to the new town. John Parsons paid and contracted a surveyor to plat out a town site, which at its center he made a 3-acres park for residents. As traffic to the area increased the roads to the area became muddy and impassible with the thick salty mud created by the high tides and rains. Parsons also paid for the construction of a corduroy causeway that connected Bayport, an island, to the mainland. The corduroy causeway was constructed of large timbers that had been cut from the area and laid in the low lying areas where wagons could not pass to the island. This main road was fortified with logs cut from the area allowing the wagons unobstructed access making it easier for commerce. These early roads were commonly called "corduroy roads", named for the bumpy ride one would take while passing over these roads as if though one was riding over corduroy. This corduroy causeway when completed was an amazing 40 yards or 120 feet long and connected the Bayport Island to the Hernando County mainland allowing access to the downtown area of the new Village of Bayport.
With the Port of Bayport now falling under customs laws it also became necessary to construct a customs house where incoming vessels could be checked in accordance with U.S. Customs Laws. Near to the customs house residents constructed a wharf that extended from land towards the shipping channel, where boats could load and unload merchandise. This wharf was also located at the end of Bayport's Main Street and would become the downtown commercial area. The waters leading to the port of Bayport were clearly marked with channel stakes. These channel stakes were placed along the deep areas cut along Bayport by the Mud River and Weeki Wachee River and where they empty into the Gulf of Mexico. These channel stakes safely guided vessels through the deeper waters of the shores of Bayport, as the water outside these channel stakes was extremely shallow and vessels could easily get stranded. Across the channel from Bayport a small light beacon was constructed on a point of land that extended towards the mouth of the channel, this beacon was commonly called the Bayport Lighthouse. At night this beacon was visible by passing vessels who were seeking the port of Bayport, the beacon also kept these vessels from running aground this point of land. Near to the customs house and wharf John Parsons also constructed a large storage house where the goods and merchandise of area residents could be stored while waiting to be loaded onto the shipping vessels.
According to state land records, on May 7, 1853, Hernando County resident Thomas W. Day purchased 160 acres of property in Bayport. This property is further described as the north-west quarter of section 30, township 22, range 17 in Hernando County. Thomas Day's property was situated and adjoined to the north of Thomas H. Parsons 80 acres as described above, however by 1854 Thomas Day would sell and relinquish his interest in this Bayport property. It is believed Thomas Day made a large profit by selling his Bayport property and this may be the reasoning for the sale so quickly.
On February 1, 1854 John Parsons would purchase the Thomas Day 160 acres and all of his nephew, Thomas H. Parsons, 80 acres for $3000. With this purchase John Parsons became the controlling property owner in Bayport, however he did not stop there with his purchase of property. In addition to the purchase of the Thomas Parsons and Day property, John Parsons also purchased an additional 80 acres of property making his purchased a combined total of 280 acres of property. According to the 1854 deed for the John Parsons purchase, the properties are further described as the west half of the southwest quarter of section 30, township 22, range 17 [ Thomas Parson 80 acres], the northwest quarter of section 30, township 22, range 17 [Thomas Day 160 acres] and Lot #2 or the east half of the southeast quarter of section 25, township 22, range 16 [80 additional acres purchased by John Parsons]; totaling 280 acres. (Click here to view Feb. 1, 1854 John Parsons deed this 280 acres.) This would be one of the largest land transaction to occur in Bayport's History.
Since Thomas Day had acquired and purchased his 160 acres from the State of Florida but had not yet received the deed or title, Thomas had to make a deed relinquishing all his title-rights and interest that he had through his purchase from the state. While Thomas Day had deeded his 160 acres to John Parsons, the deed conveying his final interest and title-rights was conveyed to both Thomas and John Parsons. On May 20, 1854 Thomas Day relinquished his remaining title and interest through a deed, where Day further requested that the patent that he had purchased, be issued to both John and Thomas Parsons. Thomas H. Parsons and John Parsons now had an equal right and interest to the former 160 acres owned by Thomas Day. (Click here to view May 20, 1854 deed) Both Thomas and John Parsons now had deed and interest to the majority of Bayport's property. Following this acquisition of property Thomas and John Parsons proceeded to have their property platted into the town site of Bayport, which consisted of North Bayport and South Bayport. South Bayport was the section of the Parsons land to contain what became downtown Bayport where commerce was to take place, while North Bayport was the residential section of the town where the residents lived.
With the construction of the Bayport wharf's and warehouse and the arrival of new residents, John Parsons also opened a large General Store in Bayport sometime ca. 1854. By this time Bayport had grown to have about sixty (60) residents, Parsons General Store was a place for the locals to meet and trade with the outsiders arriving via the port, here Parsons conducted a very good and profitable trade business. With the building of the new town of Bayport underway and some building completed, John Parsons began the time staking task of promoting his newly built town and he contact and wrote to many of the state's newspaper, which then was the only way of promotion. Most newspapers of the time were published state wide and was a great way to notify people throughout.
On August 31, 1854 the Tampa Herald newspaper published a story about the new town of Bayport, with correspondents from the field. Here is the 1854 article in its entirety:
| Published August 31, 1854 A correspondent of the Tampa Hera'd described
Bayport, which has recently, by an Act of Congress, been made a port of
delivery, together with Platka. Bayport is on the Gulf side of
the Peninsula, in Hernando County. It is situated at the mouth of
the river Weekiwatchee, on an island and connected to the mainland by a
causeway of forty yards, and a good road to the interior. It has a
full and commanding view of the Gulf of Mexico. It is land locked
on all sides, except the west. On the south is the beautiful
river Weekiwatchee empties into the Gulf. It rises about eight
miles from Bayport, from a spring on the high sand hills, and is a
rapid and clear stream free from any kinds of weed and grass, as most
rivers are not on this coast.
The situation of Bayport is about fifteen to twenty feet above the common tides, and no sea or gale can ever effect it, except from the west; and it is so completely protected by a reef of rock, that no sea can do much harm. The embryo city, like Welaka on the St. John's, owes its origin to the enterprise of an individual citizen of our State. Major John Parsons is the projector of Bayport. The correspondent of the Herald says, "Major John Parsons had expended a large amount of his means to bring this place into notice, and will not fail in his undertaking. He has laid the town off into lots, and will dispose of them to any one that will improve them at once. He has left a beautiful square of three acres in the centre of the town for a public walk, and enclosed with all the different types of trees with which our forrest abounds: Live Oak, Cabbage, Hickory, Magnolia, Sweet and Red Bay, and all varieties of our forrest with Oranges and Lemons, &c." "There are at present seven families living here, and, all told about sixty persons, and would be more if the people could get lumber for building purposes. A Hotel will soon be erected for the purpose of invalids; and the spirited contractor of the mail route will have a hack line to run from the Court House, whenever it is necessary, or desired, for the conveyance of passengers. In connection with this, the steamers which will be on the Gulf line, will stop at the anchoring ground on each trip to New Orleans." "Mr. Parsons will be glad to see any gentleman commence business here, and will accommodate one or many with lots for that purpose. He has a large store here and does a good trade." Newspaper article courtesy of Roger Landers, transcribed by Jeff Cannon |
With Bayport being an established port of delivery, it was necessary to have a post office so that the port's customs officer could receive and forward correspondents pertaining to vessel schedules and manifest as required by Customs Law. Through petitioning the Post Master General's Office in Washington D.C., Bayport residents filed their application receiving their own post office, it is believed this application was made by Thomas Parsons. [NOTE: We plan to make the original application available in the near future] According to A History of Hernando County 1840-1976 by Richard J. Stanaback, by 1854 the necessity for a community post office became prevalent. As Bayport was awarded a post office in 1854 by the Office of the Post Master General, resident Thomas H. Parsons would represent the the Bayport Community serving as first post master. Serving as the Bayport Post Master, Thomas Parsons likely kept the post office in the large Parsons home, just as many early post masters from this time period.
The arrival of mail to Bayport itself carries a rather obscured and unique history. About the same time Bayport received its new Post Office, Kentucky native and Florida resident, James Felix Tucker, was awarded a mail route contract to Bayport. James Tucker had property interests in Jefferson County Florida at the time and through his marriage to Virginia H. Bailey he was related to the prominent Seminole Indian War Veteran Col. William J. Bailey who had large property interest in Hernando County, where Tucker would eventually settle.
According to The Madison Enterprise, James Tucker lived in Madison and engaged in commercial steamboating on the Suwanee River. The first commercial steamer on the Suwanee River was owned and operated by James Tucker and was named "Glascow". Tucker ran his steamer as far up the river as Columbus, where the Withlacoochee meets the Suwanee River. The large steamer, owned by Tucker, could only come up the river that far and when the river was high. During one trip the bottom of the "Glascow" was ripped out on the shoals in the river. Tucker steered his streamer towards the bank of the river where it then sank. Today the "Glascow's" engine and large sidewheels are on display in the Suwanee River State Park.
After the tragic loss of his first steamer Tucker decided to continue with his business and had a second boat constructed for use on the Suwanee River. Tucker's new steamer was 120 feet long, 22 feet wide, 4 feet deep and was called the "Madison" after the small town in Jefferson County where he lived for a period. With his new steamer "Madison", Captain Tucker won a mail contract in 1855 to run on the Suwanee River and Columbus became the terminal for the twice-a-month service which began at the town of Bayport, Florida, on the Gulf of Mexico. Tucker made the trip from Bayport to Columbus twice each month, carrying not only the mail but also hauling freight and passengers. The "Madison", with Tucker behind the helm, carried merchandise which was traded to area settlers for money, cow hides, honey venison, eggs, ham, chickens and many other items from the area plantations. As the "Madison" chugged up to the wharf's at Bayport, Tucker would blow the whistle so that people could come to the landing ready for trade. According to a Fernandina newspaper advertisement,
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Fernandina Newspaper published 1855
The U. S. Mail steamer, Madison,
Captain James Tucker, makes a semi-monthly trip between Bayport
(Hernando County) and Columbus. The steamer leaves Bayport on the 3rd
and 19th and Columbus on the 12th and 26th of each month and connects
at Cedar Key with New Orleans and Key West steamers.
Article quoted from the unpublished history, "The Private Life of George F. Drew and the town Columbus" |
| Capt. James Felix Tucker and wife Virginal H. Bailey Tucker. |
A year or so before the start of the Civil War, Tucker is said to have enjoyed a comfortable life style from an income of $30,000 from his two mail contracts. At the start of the Civil War, Capt. James F. Tucker enlisted with the Confederate States and this is where he received his title of Captain. By 1863 the war efforts in the south were not going so well and Tucker decided that he had to sink his steamer "Madison" and to raiser her from this watery grave once the war was over. This was his attempts to not have his boat confiscated by the U.S. Army for supporting the Confederacy. A group of citizens had asked Tucker if they could bring a load of corn up the Suwanee River and then he could sink her in the Troy Springs. Tucker followed through delivered the corn and proceeded to sink the steamer "Madison" as planned. As the war raged on the steamers boiler tubes were removed and taken to the coast where they were used in salt making. Area farmer removed the smokestacks, which were cut up and used as sugarcane furnace funnels. The lumber from the steamer's cabin was torn up and used in the construction of local farm homes and out buildings. Today the haul of the "Madison" still lays along the spring run of Troy Springs along the Suwanee River. This author himself has stood on the old remains of the once active steamboat "Madison".
Capt. Tucker eventually represented Col. William J. Bailey's estate and became the owner of the colonel's 850 acres in Hernando County, located in the Annatuligua Hammock. For a time Tucker and his family located to this 850 acres before moving to Brooksville. (Click here to read a bio on Capt. James F. Tucker)
Soon after the establishment of the Bayport Post Office and Capt. James F. Tucker was awarded the mail route of Bayport and Columbus, Bayport would receive the addition of an officially named hotel that was promoted throughout the State of Florida. While the large colonial style home of John Parsons had been receiving guest for a few years it was not deemed an official hotel for sometime. John Parsons had marked his home as being open to those who decided to conduct business in the town or were interested in the purchase of town lots. By ca. 1854 Hernando County resident Isaac Garrison had purchased lots in Bayport and soon after started construction of his new home and what would also serve as Bayport's first hotel. It is believed that Isaac Garrison was assisted in construction of the hotel by his son William Michael Garrison. Many hotel's throughout Florida were marked as health resorts where people could come and enjoy the warm Gulf air, which was believed to relieve certain ailments. As Garrison completed construction on his new home and hotel it became time to choose a name and The Bay-Port House was decided.
The year of 1855 was a year for advertising and promoting Bayport, both Parsons and Garrison were advertising and promoting their business through several state-wide newspapers. In April of 1855 John Parsons advertised his Bayport store in a state wide newspaper, here we see the full scope of the general store being operated by Parsons. According to the ad, "Parsons keeps a large and general assortment of merchandise suitable for the planters and country trade generally." John Parsons was willing and ready to trade all kinds of produce for his merchandise, this allowed trade without money. By December of 1855 Isaac Garrison began advertising his Bay-Port House in Florida newspapers. According to the Florida Historical Quarterly, at that time The Bay-Port House was one the southernmost hotel health resorts for invalids.
Published April 7, 1855 Image from Authors Private Collection
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Published December 1, 1855
 Image courtesy of Roger Landers
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In December of 1854 the Florida State Legislature and House of Representatives decided upon Bay Port as the county seat in place of Pierceville [Brooksville], the change in county seat was to occur after June 1, 1855. With the business of Hernando County now shifted to the coast of the county and to Bayport, residents were responsible for providing a new county court house. According to a July 23, 1942 article in The Brooksville Journal, "it is said that at the time when Bayport was county seat of Hernando, court was held in the Garrison home."
By December of Jon Parsons had built a number of commercial building in Bayport and was ready to have one of those buildings sold or leased to another business who was willing to do their business in Bayport. At this time Parsons had employed family friend, John Edward Johnson, to conduct and carry out some of his personal business. John Johnson was hired and acted as an agent to John Parsons. John E. Johnson was the son of John Greenlief and Sally B. Mace Johnson from Rye, New Hampshire; the same town as John Parsons. John E. Johnson's g.g.grandfather had served as a drummer in the Revolutionary War under a one Capt. Parsons, relative to John Parsons. John Edward Johnson and John Parsons had family ties back to the mid 1600's in New Hampshire and were good trusted friends and now Bayport partners in business. In December 1855 John E. Johnson, acting as agent for John Parsons, advertised the sale or lease of a large store-house situated at Bayport and owned by John Parsons. It is believed that John Parsons retained his interest in this large store-house and rented the building to local residents.
 Image courtesy of Roger Landers |
Over the next couple of years, between 1854 and 1856, the population of Bayport continued to increase little by little as more people purchased lots in the town of Bayport. It must be kept in mind that Bayport, at its peak, only consisted of 10 or 15 pertinent resident families who were responsible for the operation of the town and port facilities. On March 6, 1856 Hernando County Probate Judge Perry G. Wall purchased 4 downtown lots from John Parsons for $85.00. The deed conveying these 4 lots included a small map showing the location of Judge Walls property, which was located at the corner of High and Main Streets in downtown Bayport (see map from deed below). It is believed that Judge Wall used his Bayport property to conduct the business of the county while the county seat was located at Bayport. According to the 1856 deed, one of Judge Wall's lots measured 80x80 while the other three lots, together, measured 100x130. The small map that accompanied Judge Perry G. Wall's deed also shows several other downtown property owners, which included Isaac Garrison owner of The Bay-Port House Hotel, Thomas Ellis and Peter Peterson; all being husbands and fathers. Peter Peterson was from Denmark and was a fisherman and sailor by trade, his property was located next to Judge Perry G. Wall's property. The map below is the oldest and only known map of downtown Bayport to exist today as courthouse records were destroyed by fire in 1872.
 Image from authors private collection
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The relocation of the county seat was short lived as delegates and Hernando County residents found it extremely difficult to reach Bayport to conduct their business, remember at this time Hernando County was comprised of present day Citrus, Hernando and Pasco County. A resident living on the southern or northern end of the county would have to travel between 30 and 40 miles, by horse and carriage, to reach the court house located at Bayport. In 1856 the Florida State Legislature would repeal their selection of Bay Port as county seat of Hernando County and recommended that the voters choose a county seat, which would be located within five miles of the center of the county. While residents were deciding the new location, court was to be held as close as possible to the former location of the county seat, being Pierceville [Brooksville]. The change in the county seat seemed to have no effect on the new commerce now being conducted Bayport.
In October of 1856 the Surveyor Generals Office in St. Augustine published a map of the state titled, "A Plat Exhibiting the State of the Surveys in the State of Florida." This state map is the earliest known map showing the location of Bayport along the coast of Hernando County. This map also shows that residents had constructed a road from Pierceville [Brooksville] to the ports at Bayport. It was this road that allowed the residents access to the wharfs at Bayport. According to one time resident of Bayport, Cyprian T. Jenkins, families who were living in Bayport from its beginning included John Parsons, Isaac Garrison, John E. Johnson and others who have already been documented but not listed by Jenkins. The Johnson Family consisted of John, his wife Hannah who was born in Germany and their only child at the time, 4 year old son, Greenlief Johnson, who had been born in 1850 in Hernando County.
| This 1855 Surveyor Generals Map of the State of Florida is the earliest known map to show the location of Bayport along the coast of Hernando County. In addition this map shows Bayport as the County Seat of Hernando County (Image from authors private collection) |
By June of 1856, the port facilities of
Bayport where in full operation and receiving many vessels.
Bayport resident John E. Johnson was
appointed to the position and served as the Bayport Customs Officer.
As Customs Officer, Johnson assumed the responsibility of ensuring
that all customs laws were enforced and followed by all vessels at
Bayport. Johnson took his
office at the Bayport Customs House located near the wharf, where all
vessels were to be checked in accordance with the customs laws.
Johnson was also responsible for collecting any fees that may
have been imposed by the government, on the merchandise aboard the
vessels. In addition, Johnson received a stipend, from
the government, to perform the daily operation of the Bayport Customs
House.
On July 30, 1857, the United States Treasury Offices published a
detailed report that included a report titled, "statements showing the
amount of moneys
expended at each customs house in the U.S. during the fiscal year
ending on July 30, 1857." This report outlined the money paid to
customs officers in the United States, for the operation of their
respective customs house. For the 1856-57 fiscal year, Customs
Officer John
E. Johnson received $350.10 for the operations and collection of
revenue at the Bayport Customs
House. In most cases the money expended to these customs houses,
reflects the size of
the port, for example the St. Marks Port expenditures for the same year
were in excess of
$5,000. (click here
to view list of 1856-57 expenditures, including Bayport) During
the 1857-58 fiscal year a new customs officer would be appointed to the
Bayport Customs House as John E. Johnson stepped down and was replaced
by A.J. Decatur.
A.J. Decatur was a relative by marriage to the John Parsons
Family of Bayport, Decatur was the maiden name of John's wife Susan.
The relation of A.J. Decatur to the Parsons Family is unknown at
this time but is believed to be the brother-in-law to John Parsons.
On July 30, 1858 the United State Treasury Office again published
a detailed report showing expenditures of the U.S. Customs Houses.
According to the 1857-58 report titled "Expense for Collecting
the
Revenue for Customs", John E. Johnson received $324.73 for the
remainder of his duties and A.J. Decatur
received $291.04 as the new customs officer of the Bayport Customs
House. (click here to view list of 1857-58 expenditures, including Bayport)
Ca. 1856-1857 there also came a need to establish a community cemetery. Upon plotting the current location of the Bayport Cemetery as it is known today, it is revealed that the cemetery was located on a portion of property originally owned by Thomas W. Day and purchased by Thomas and John Parsons. The first burial in the Bayport Cemetery is not known but is believed to be a child. It is also believed that Bayport was refuge for troops during the Third Seminole Indian War 1855-58 since the first road built to the area was a military road built by Col William Davenport in 1838. Troops were likely receiving rations through Bayport's port and possibly medical services from the residents of Bayport. It is believed that as some of these soldiers became stricken with illness and died, they were also laid to rest in the Bayport Cemetery. Among the soldiers believed to be buried at Bayport was Robert Daniel Rewis who according to Rewis Family research, died sometime in 1856 of brain fever, while at the Cowart House in Bayport during service the Second Seminole Indian War, however this cannot be confirmed due to vandalism of the cemetery and lack of markers. The erodes of time have long since crept in and taken the Bayport Cemetery back as the area is extremely overgrown and few even know of the cemetery's existence. While these early burials cannot be confirmed due to lack of headstones we do know that Bayport had an established cemetery by 1856 along with several other community supported services. (Please see more about the Bayport Cemetery below)
In
April of 1857
tragedy would
also strike the pioneer Parsons Family of Bayport. According to
Parsons
Family research, on April 1, 1857 pioneer resident and Bayport founder,
Thomas Henry Parsons, pictured left, died while living in Bayport.
Along with his uncle, John Parsons, Thomas settled and helped
build the small coastal port town of Bayport. In June of 1857 the
local Masonic Lodge in Brooksville published
an obituary for member Thomas H. Parsons. According to the
obituary, Thomas H. Parsons was a member of the De Soto Masonic Lodge
No. 32 in Brooksville and at the time of his death and past he was an
acting Junior Warden and had been elected Senior Warden for the year of
1856, the year prior to his death. The De Soto Masonic Lodge was
expressing their deepest sympathies by publishing the obituary.
The De Soto Lodge and the community at large substained a serious
loss with the passing of Thomas H. Parsons. Thomas Henry Parsons
was laid to rest in the Parsons-Decatur Family plot in the Green-Wood
Cemetery in New York, its likely his body was sent by boat as the
railroad had not yet reached Bayport or Hernando County. (click here to read entire 1857 obituary article for Thomas Parsons)
By ca. 1857, as more families with children were building their homes and settling in Bayport, a place for educating the community children was needed. This was long before public education and there was no established school board to provide teachers, books, or buildings. Schools were privately funded and were supported entirely by the community and the families of those children attending. The salary of the teacher was also paid by the community and the parents of the students. The residents of Bayport came together, provided property and constructed a house for education, which became known as the Bayport School. The Bayport School was built and situated along the street that John Parsons had already named School Street. The Bayport School was situated in what was now downtown Bayport and likely a simple one-room building, large enough to accommodate the town's children. No official school records from the Bayport School exist but we know the school was in operation prior to the Civil War as it is documented through detailed military reports and other records. Through family records we know children who were of school age and living in Bayport at this time included John P. Johnson, Greenlief Johnson, Isaac Nathan Jewett Garrison and others. The Bayport School was one of the two or three private school operating in Hernando County at the time.
In November of 1858 Bayport would receive yet another family and resident to add to the all ready well diversity and self supported community of Bayport. On November 6, 1858 Hernando County resident Rufus Hoyt purchased 40 acres of property from the State of Florida located near North Bayport. Hoyt's property is further described as the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29, township 22, range 17. Rufus Hoyt, from Vermont, had settled and homesteaded property in Hernando County in 1848 under the Armed Occupation Act and was a neighbor to Cyprian Jenkins and David Hope. Furthermore, Rufus Hoyt worked the well desired occupation of a teacher in Hernando County and according to the 1850 census Hoyt was working as a teacher in the neighborhood where he had settled in the Annutuligua Hammock, just south of Brooksville. This school like Bayport's was also a private school and Hoyt taught students such as Samuel Hope who went on to succeed as a Representative in the Florida House in the 1870's. It is believed that after Rufus Hoyt purchased his Bayport property in 1858, he constructed a second home and assumed a position as teacher of the Bayport School.
On January 4, 1859 Bayport would receive another addition to the port facilities and commerce of Bayport, which would also assist in promoting and providing safety to the port. According to the House Journal, at the direction of the Florida House of Representatives, Governor Madison S. Perry established and nominated a Commission of Pilotage at Bay Port. Governor Perry nominated Hernando County residents Thomas C. Ellis, Cyprian T. Jenkins, James R. Nicks and Charles Parsons as the Commissioners of Pilotage at Bay Port. While 4 men were nominated for positions, only 3 were actually appointed and took office, those 3 being Thomas C. Ellis, Cyprian T. Jenkins and Charles Parsons; Charles Parsons was brother of the late Bayport founder Thomas Henry Parsons and nephew to John Parsons. The Bayport Commission of Pilotage was responsible for the safety of vessels during their navigation of entering and leaving the Port of Bayport, including the safety and continuing protection of vessels, crew and cargo. The Bayport Commission of Pilotage was also responsible for the enhancement of commerce and navigation of the channel at Bayport. It is believed that the Bayport Commission of Pilotage assisted in improving the Bayport Lighthouse and channel stakes , which helped safely guided vessels to port. The light beacon and channel stakes had to be maintained on a regular basis and were a vital part of the operation of the port, otherwise vessels could run aground loosing thousands of dollars of cargo. It is also believed that the Bayport Commission of Pilotage operated a series of smaller boats that were used as guide boats to guide the incoming vessels to port.
In June of 1859 the Town of Bayport would be struck with tragedy and the loss of two residents from the pioneer Johnson Family. On June 3, 1859 former Bayport Customs Officer John E. Johnson and his six year old son, John P. Johnson, would pass from this life. Johnson and his young six year old son both drowned in the waters of Bayport. It is believed that John E. Johnson drowned in the process trying to save his six year old son from drowning but the exact circumstances surround their deaths is unknown. The interments of the Bayport Cemetery would be increased yet once again as the Johnson Family and friends gathered at the graveside services and John P and John E. Johnson were laid to rest in a plot located at the Bayport Cemetery. A marker was placed on the Johnson's plot, which read:
Unfortunately the John E. and John P. Johnson's headstone is no longer located in the Bayport Cemetery and we fortunately know the epitaph through a recording in 1951. John's wife, Hannah, and his 10 year old son, Greenlief, continued to live at Bayport in the home built by husband and father John E. Johnson. Subsequently both Hannah and Greenlief would both eventually be buried in what would become the Johnson Family Plot located in the Bayport Cemetery. Greenlief Johnson went on to become a clerk in the town store in 1870 and a sailor according to the 1880 census, this would be the last census that Greenlief Johnson would appear as he died on August 17, 1880, Hannah Johnson died July 24, 1899 out living all of her family. It is believed that Greenlief may have died on the water of Bayport as it seemed to the fate of many Bayport residents. (See Hannah and Greenlief headstone photos below) One week after the internment of John E. and John P. Johnson another burial would be conducted in the Bayport Cemetery. On March 28, 1859 William D. Underwood of Bayport was laid to rest in a plot at the Bayport Cemetery; no other information is known about Wm. D. Underwood (see photo of headstone below)
Between March and July of 1860, John and Susan Decatur Parsons would significantly increase their property around Bayport. During these months the John Parsons/ David Yulee partnership would become large land holders of the areas along the Mud and Weeki Wachee Rivers. The Parsons/ Yulee partnership purchased approximately 170 acres from the State of Florida over the five month period between March and July of 1860. These properties are further described as the west half of the southwest quarter and southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 29, township 22, range 17; south half of the southeast quarter of section 30, township 22, range 17; and lot number one of section 31, township 22, range 17. This lot number 1 is not to be confused with Lot #1 of the Town of Bayport as they are not the same. These property were located where the Mud and Weeki Wachee Rivers come together and the property running along the north side of the Weeki Wachee River at the same location, containing approximately 170 acres of property in all. This was a prime location to operate a merchant store outside of downtown Bayport as well as prime location for defenses as many residents had fears of the Civil War on their minds.
In addition to the larger purchase of property by the Parsons/ Yulee partnership, there was also a large purchase of property between March and July of 1860 by Susan Decatur Parsons, wife of John Parsons. This property was deeded to Susan Decatur Parsons only. Susan Decatur Parsons made here purchase of property from the State of Florida over the five month period between March and July of 1860. Susan Decatur's property was situated just north of the property owned by her husband and Yulee in section 29, township 22, range 17 and totaled approximately 170 acres. In addition Susan Decatur Parsons also purchased the majority of the property situated south of the Weeki Wachee River from the above mentioned property, this property was located in section 32, township 22, range 17. At this point John and Susan Decatur Parsons owned the majority of Bayport and the property situated along the Weeki Wachee and Mud Rivers just upstream from the Port of Bayport.
While Bayport had grown and increased in size since 1854, activities around the port would nearly stop during the Civil War. During the Civil War Bayport, like many ports, participated and played a major role in the Civil War History of Florida and Hernando County. As the residents of Bayport began to prepare for the war, many joined one of the five companies formed in Hernando County during the Civil War. Among the five companies formed in Hernando County was Parsons' Independent Company formed at Bayport by resident John Parsons. Through all of the Civil War history, there is no history for the Parsons' Independent Company and this companies participation in the Civil War is unknown. As Bayport prepared for the Civil War, rifle pits and an artillery battery were dug in and around the commerce district of Bayport for protection of the port facilities. The small points of land across from Bayport were also fortified and rifle pits were dug. It is believed that these fortifications were made by Parsons' Independent Company and Capt. Leroy Lesley's Home guard. With the fortifications in place it was business as usual for Bayport. Bayport was shipping several types of goods and food such as cotton and corn that were grown on the plantations throughout Hernando County.
As the activities around Bayport and other ports along the west coast increased the U.S. Navy answered by forming the East Gulf Blockade Squadron. This fleet of vessels were formed for the purpose of blockading the numerous vessels along the west coast to prevent goods and food from reaching the Confederates. (Please click here to read a detailed history of Bayport's roll during the Civil War)
Bayport After the Civil War
After the Civil War the Town of Bayport had to be rebuilt. Many of the town's commodities such as the school, wharf, cotton storage house, post office and customs house were all destroyed during the many Federal operations carried out against Bayport. After the Civil War the Town of Bayport was a changed community and operation were not the same as the many years prior. With no customs house it is believed that the import of goods to Bayport were limited, however exports are believed to have increased by the residents of Hernando County.
After the Civil War John Parsons continued to promote the small town of Bayport, which he had helped to build from nothing and where he and his family made their residence. With the soldiers returning home attention was turned to the production of crops that would feed and provide for the residents of Hernando County. With the port facilities of Bayport destroyed the process of exporting these crops shifted up stream from Bayport to a location that was also owned by John and Susan Parsons. This new location and property was known to Hernando County residents Blue Springs and was the head of the Weeki Wachee River. Here John Parsons also built a few small storage buildings along several skiffs and scouls, the buildings were used to store crops while the skiffs carried the crops to Bayport down stream. Eventually the wharf's and large store-houses at Bayport would be rebuilt connecting the head spring to the town of Bayport downstream. This allowed residents to easily transport items downstream via the Weeki Wachee River. This greatly improved the commerce of Bayport.
In addition to the new improvements made by John and Susan Parsons, in 1866 Bayport would receive yet another new property owner. In March of 1866 Eberhard Faber, owner of the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company, purchased 40 acres of property from the State of Florida. The Eberhard Faber property is further described as being the north-west quarter of the north-west quarter of section 16 in township 22 south of range 17 east. The Eberhard Pencil Company's main office was located in New York but they also had a large and profitable factory located in Cedar Key where they made cedar pencil from cedar trees of the area.
During this time John Parsons had also assumed the position of agent for the Eberhard and Faber Pencil Company. It was at this time that the many cedar trees of Hernando County were sought after for the Eberhard Pencil Company. This allowed the residents of Hernando County more means of making money after the Civil War. According to Hernando County and Bayport resident, Thomas Benton Ellis, "men cut and hew the cedar on our hammock land and hauled it to a large Blue Spring, being the source of the Wicawatchie River which flowed to the Gulf at Bay Port. Through this river the cedar was floated to Bay Port, and there sold to John Parsons, Agent for Eberhard, Faber at $1.50 per cubic foot. With the proceeds of the cedar and sale of the crops, we realized about $2500 in gold." John Parsons had control of both Bayport and the head waters of the Weeki Wachee River where he continued to promote the commerce of Bayport. Residents would cut, gather and haul cedar trees from their property located in the Hernando County hammocks to the head water of the Weeki Wachee River. From there they would deposit their load of cedar into the water and then float these cut trees to Bayport. As agent for the pencil factory in Cedar Key, John Parsons would purchase the cedar from residents and in turn ship it to Cedar Key, this proved to be profitable for many residents. Aside from cedar Bayport also became known for a crop of its own, oranges.
By 1867 the Bayport Post Office had been rebuilt and re-established, this was the second post office to be established for Bayport. Resident John Sylvester petitioned the Post Master General's Office in Washington, D.C. to establish and call his post office Bayport. Sylvester's was the first post office in Bayport after the Civil War. Subsequently post offices were applied for in Bayport in 1881, 1897, 1905 and the last in 1942. This means throughout Bayport's History the small town had at least six known post offices, all established at different points in time by different people. (Original Post Office Application of Sylvester to soon be added)
On July 4, 1874 the East Florida Banner published a column titled "Oranges". In this article the cultivation of oranges throughout the State of Florida is outlined. "The oldest and most extensive groves (and some of them are very old) are located at Bayport and Hommossasa" and many of these groves were twelve years or older. Life in Bayport after the Civil War was slowly returning to the small port town. With the operations of commerce somewhat returning, Bayport residents once again had a means to live and make money. While some residents turned to rebuilding their crops and plantations there were others who decided to sell their large portions of property while retaining a small portion to live from. In the years after the Civil War many of the state's newspaper carried ads for Hernando County property as people were attempting to liquidate their only valued possessions. Among the main sales draw to Hernando County property was the good soil for production of large crops. (Click here to read a typical 1860's newspaper ad for land in Hernando County)
Looking down the Weeki Wachee River from the headwaters and the big Blue Spring. This picture is taken from the approximate location of today's Mermaid Theater at Weeki Wachee Springs Park.
(Photos courtesy of Florida State Archives)
Ca. 1856-1857 there also came a need to establish a community cemetery. Upon plotting the current location of the Bayport Cemetery as it is known today, it is revealed that the cemetery was located on a portion of property originally owned by Thomas W. Day and purchased by Thomas and John Parsons. The first burial in the Bayport Cemetery is not known but is believed to be a child. It is also believed that Bayport was refuge for troops during the Third Seminole Indian War 1855-58 since the first road built to the area was a military road built by Col William Davenport in 1838. Troops were likely receiving rations through Bayport's port and possibly medical services from the residents of Bayport. It is believed that as some of these soldiers became stricken with illness and died, they were also laid to rest in the Bayport Cemetery. Among the soldiers believed to be buried at Bayport was Robert Daniel Rewis who according to Rewis Family research, died sometime in 1856 of brain fever, while at the Cowart House in Bayport during service the Second Seminole Indian War, however this cannot be confirmed due to vandalism of the cemetery and lack of markers. The erodes of time have long since crept in and taken the Bayport Cemetery back as the area is extremely overgrown and few even know of the cemetery's existence. While these early burials cannot be confirmed due to lack of headstones we do know that Bayport had an established cemetery by 1856 along with several other community supported services. (Please see more about the Bayport Cemetery below)
In
April of 1857
tragedy would
also strike the pioneer Parsons Family of Bayport. According to
Parsons
Family research, on April 1, 1857 pioneer resident and Bayport founder,
Thomas Henry Parsons, pictured left, died while living in Bayport.
Along with his uncle, John Parsons, Thomas settled and helped
build the small coastal port town of Bayport. In June of 1857 the
local Masonic Lodge in Brooksville published
an obituary for member Thomas H. Parsons. According to the
obituary, Thomas H. Parsons was a member of the De Soto Masonic Lodge
No. 32 in Brooksville and at the time of his death and past he was an
acting Junior Warden and had been elected Senior Warden for the year of
1856, the year prior to his death. The De Soto Masonic Lodge was
expressing their deepest sympathies by publishing the obituary.
The De Soto Lodge and the community at large substained a serious
loss with the passing of Thomas H. Parsons. Thomas Henry Parsons
was laid to rest in the Parsons-Decatur Family plot in the Green-Wood
Cemetery in New York, its likely his body was sent by boat as the
railroad had not yet reached Bayport or Hernando County. (click here to read entire 1857 obituary article for Thomas Parsons)By ca. 1857, as more families with children were building their homes and settling in Bayport, a place for educating the community children was needed. This was long before public education and there was no established school board to provide teachers, books, or buildings. Schools were privately funded and were supported entirely by the community and the families of those children attending. The salary of the teacher was also paid by the community and the parents of the students. The residents of Bayport came together, provided property and constructed a house for education, which became known as the Bayport School. The Bayport School was built and situated along the street that John Parsons had already named School Street. The Bayport School was situated in what was now downtown Bayport and likely a simple one-room building, large enough to accommodate the town's children. No official school records from the Bayport School exist but we know the school was in operation prior to the Civil War as it is documented through detailed military reports and other records. Through family records we know children who were of school age and living in Bayport at this time included John P. Johnson, Greenlief Johnson, Isaac Nathan Jewett Garrison and others. The Bayport School was one of the two or three private school operating in Hernando County at the time.
In November of 1858 Bayport would receive yet another family and resident to add to the all ready well diversity and self supported community of Bayport. On November 6, 1858 Hernando County resident Rufus Hoyt purchased 40 acres of property from the State of Florida located near North Bayport. Hoyt's property is further described as the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section 29, township 22, range 17. Rufus Hoyt, from Vermont, had settled and homesteaded property in Hernando County in 1848 under the Armed Occupation Act and was a neighbor to Cyprian Jenkins and David Hope. Furthermore, Rufus Hoyt worked the well desired occupation of a teacher in Hernando County and according to the 1850 census Hoyt was working as a teacher in the neighborhood where he had settled in the Annutuligua Hammock, just south of Brooksville. This school like Bayport's was also a private school and Hoyt taught students such as Samuel Hope who went on to succeed as a Representative in the Florida House in the 1870's. It is believed that after Rufus Hoyt purchased his Bayport property in 1858, he constructed a second home and assumed a position as teacher of the Bayport School.
On January 4, 1859 Bayport would receive another addition to the port facilities and commerce of Bayport, which would also assist in promoting and providing safety to the port. According to the House Journal, at the direction of the Florida House of Representatives, Governor Madison S. Perry established and nominated a Commission of Pilotage at Bay Port. Governor Perry nominated Hernando County residents Thomas C. Ellis, Cyprian T. Jenkins, James R. Nicks and Charles Parsons as the Commissioners of Pilotage at Bay Port. While 4 men were nominated for positions, only 3 were actually appointed and took office, those 3 being Thomas C. Ellis, Cyprian T. Jenkins and Charles Parsons; Charles Parsons was brother of the late Bayport founder Thomas Henry Parsons and nephew to John Parsons. The Bayport Commission of Pilotage was responsible for the safety of vessels during their navigation of entering and leaving the Port of Bayport, including the safety and continuing protection of vessels, crew and cargo. The Bayport Commission of Pilotage was also responsible for the enhancement of commerce and navigation of the channel at Bayport. It is believed that the Bayport Commission of Pilotage assisted in improving the Bayport Lighthouse and channel stakes , which helped safely guided vessels to port. The light beacon and channel stakes had to be maintained on a regular basis and were a vital part of the operation of the port, otherwise vessels could run aground loosing thousands of dollars of cargo. It is also believed that the Bayport Commission of Pilotage operated a series of smaller boats that were used as guide boats to guide the incoming vessels to port.
In June of 1859 the Town of Bayport would be struck with tragedy and the loss of two residents from the pioneer Johnson Family. On June 3, 1859 former Bayport Customs Officer John E. Johnson and his six year old son, John P. Johnson, would pass from this life. Johnson and his young six year old son both drowned in the waters of Bayport. It is believed that John E. Johnson drowned in the process trying to save his six year old son from drowning but the exact circumstances surround their deaths is unknown. The interments of the Bayport Cemetery would be increased yet once again as the Johnson Family and friends gathered at the graveside services and John P and John E. Johnson were laid to rest in a plot located at the Bayport Cemetery. A marker was placed on the Johnson's plot, which read:
| John E. Johnson, born Rye, New Hampshire, March 21, 1823; John P. Johnson, son of above, born January 28, 1853, drowned at Bayport June 3, 1859. "A widowed mother and her son mourn their loss." |
Unfortunately the John E. and John P. Johnson's headstone is no longer located in the Bayport Cemetery and we fortunately know the epitaph through a recording in 1951. John's wife, Hannah, and his 10 year old son, Greenlief, continued to live at Bayport in the home built by husband and father John E. Johnson. Subsequently both Hannah and Greenlief would both eventually be buried in what would become the Johnson Family Plot located in the Bayport Cemetery. Greenlief Johnson went on to become a clerk in the town store in 1870 and a sailor according to the 1880 census, this would be the last census that Greenlief Johnson would appear as he died on August 17, 1880, Hannah Johnson died July 24, 1899 out living all of her family. It is believed that Greenlief may have died on the water of Bayport as it seemed to the fate of many Bayport residents. (See Hannah and Greenlief headstone photos below) One week after the internment of John E. and John P. Johnson another burial would be conducted in the Bayport Cemetery. On March 28, 1859 William D. Underwood of Bayport was laid to rest in a plot at the Bayport Cemetery; no other information is known about Wm. D. Underwood (see photo of headstone below)
Between March and July of 1860, John and Susan Decatur Parsons would significantly increase their property around Bayport. During these months the John Parsons/ David Yulee partnership would become large land holders of the areas along the Mud and Weeki Wachee Rivers. The Parsons/ Yulee partnership purchased approximately 170 acres from the State of Florida over the five month period between March and July of 1860. These properties are further described as the west half of the southwest quarter and southeast quarter of the southeast quarter of section 29, township 22, range 17; south half of the southeast quarter of section 30, township 22, range 17; and lot number one of section 31, township 22, range 17. This lot number 1 is not to be confused with Lot #1 of the Town of Bayport as they are not the same. These property were located where the Mud and Weeki Wachee Rivers come together and the property running along the north side of the Weeki Wachee River at the same location, containing approximately 170 acres of property in all. This was a prime location to operate a merchant store outside of downtown Bayport as well as prime location for defenses as many residents had fears of the Civil War on their minds.
In addition to the larger purchase of property by the Parsons/ Yulee partnership, there was also a large purchase of property between March and July of 1860 by Susan Decatur Parsons, wife of John Parsons. This property was deeded to Susan Decatur Parsons only. Susan Decatur Parsons made here purchase of property from the State of Florida over the five month period between March and July of 1860. Susan Decatur's property was situated just north of the property owned by her husband and Yulee in section 29, township 22, range 17 and totaled approximately 170 acres. In addition Susan Decatur Parsons also purchased the majority of the property situated south of the Weeki Wachee River from the above mentioned property, this property was located in section 32, township 22, range 17. At this point John and Susan Decatur Parsons owned the majority of Bayport and the property situated along the Weeki Wachee and Mud Rivers just upstream from the Port of Bayport.
While Bayport had grown and increased in size since 1854, activities around the port would nearly stop during the Civil War. During the Civil War Bayport, like many ports, participated and played a major role in the Civil War History of Florida and Hernando County. As the residents of Bayport began to prepare for the war, many joined one of the five companies formed in Hernando County during the Civil War. Among the five companies formed in Hernando County was Parsons' Independent Company formed at Bayport by resident John Parsons. Through all of the Civil War history, there is no history for the Parsons' Independent Company and this companies participation in the Civil War is unknown. As Bayport prepared for the Civil War, rifle pits and an artillery battery were dug in and around the commerce district of Bayport for protection of the port facilities. The small points of land across from Bayport were also fortified and rifle pits were dug. It is believed that these fortifications were made by Parsons' Independent Company and Capt. Leroy Lesley's Home guard. With the fortifications in place it was business as usual for Bayport. Bayport was shipping several types of goods and food such as cotton and corn that were grown on the plantations throughout Hernando County.
As the activities around Bayport and other ports along the west coast increased the U.S. Navy answered by forming the East Gulf Blockade Squadron. This fleet of vessels were formed for the purpose of blockading the numerous vessels along the west coast to prevent goods and food from reaching the Confederates. (Please click here to read a detailed history of Bayport's roll during the Civil War)
Bayport After the Civil War
After the Civil War the Town of Bayport had to be rebuilt. Many of the town's commodities such as the school, wharf, cotton storage house, post office and customs house were all destroyed during the many Federal operations carried out against Bayport. After the Civil War the Town of Bayport was a changed community and operation were not the same as the many years prior. With no customs house it is believed that the import of goods to Bayport were limited, however exports are believed to have increased by the residents of Hernando County.
After the Civil War John Parsons continued to promote the small town of Bayport, which he had helped to build from nothing and where he and his family made their residence. With the soldiers returning home attention was turned to the production of crops that would feed and provide for the residents of Hernando County. With the port facilities of Bayport destroyed the process of exporting these crops shifted up stream from Bayport to a location that was also owned by John and Susan Parsons. This new location and property was known to Hernando County residents Blue Springs and was the head of the Weeki Wachee River. Here John Parsons also built a few small storage buildings along several skiffs and scouls, the buildings were used to store crops while the skiffs carried the crops to Bayport down stream. Eventually the wharf's and large store-houses at Bayport would be rebuilt connecting the head spring to the town of Bayport downstream. This allowed residents to easily transport items downstream via the Weeki Wachee River. This greatly improved the commerce of Bayport.
In addition to the new improvements made by John and Susan Parsons, in 1866 Bayport would receive yet another new property owner. In March of 1866 Eberhard Faber, owner of the Eberhard Faber Pencil Company, purchased 40 acres of property from the State of Florida. The Eberhard Faber property is further described as being the north-west quarter of the north-west quarter of section 16 in township 22 south of range 17 east. The Eberhard Pencil Company's main office was located in New York but they also had a large and profitable factory located in Cedar Key where they made cedar pencil from cedar trees of the area.
During this time John Parsons had also assumed the position of agent for the Eberhard and Faber Pencil Company. It was at this time that the many cedar trees of Hernando County were sought after for the Eberhard Pencil Company. This allowed the residents of Hernando County more means of making money after the Civil War. According to Hernando County and Bayport resident, Thomas Benton Ellis, "men cut and hew the cedar on our hammock land and hauled it to a large Blue Spring, being the source of the Wicawatchie River which flowed to the Gulf at Bay Port. Through this river the cedar was floated to Bay Port, and there sold to John Parsons, Agent for Eberhard, Faber at $1.50 per cubic foot. With the proceeds of the cedar and sale of the crops, we realized about $2500 in gold." John Parsons had control of both Bayport and the head waters of the Weeki Wachee River where he continued to promote the commerce of Bayport. Residents would cut, gather and haul cedar trees from their property located in the Hernando County hammocks to the head water of the Weeki Wachee River. From there they would deposit their load of cedar into the water and then float these cut trees to Bayport. As agent for the pencil factory in Cedar Key, John Parsons would purchase the cedar from residents and in turn ship it to Cedar Key, this proved to be profitable for many residents. Aside from cedar Bayport also became known for a crop of its own, oranges.
By 1867 the Bayport Post Office had been rebuilt and re-established, this was the second post office to be established for Bayport. Resident John Sylvester petitioned the Post Master General's Office in Washington, D.C. to establish and call his post office Bayport. Sylvester's was the first post office in Bayport after the Civil War. Subsequently post offices were applied for in Bayport in 1881, 1897, 1905 and the last in 1942. This means throughout Bayport's History the small town had at least six known post offices, all established at different points in time by different people. (Original Post Office Application of Sylvester to soon be added)
On July 4, 1874 the East Florida Banner published a column titled "Oranges". In this article the cultivation of oranges throughout the State of Florida is outlined. "The oldest and most extensive groves (and some of them are very old) are located at Bayport and Hommossasa" and many of these groves were twelve years or older. Life in Bayport after the Civil War was slowly returning to the small port town. With the operations of commerce somewhat returning, Bayport residents once again had a means to live and make money. While some residents turned to rebuilding their crops and plantations there were others who decided to sell their large portions of property while retaining a small portion to live from. In the years after the Civil War many of the state's newspaper carried ads for Hernando County property as people were attempting to liquidate their only valued possessions. Among the main sales draw to Hernando County property was the good soil for production of large crops. (Click here to read a typical 1860's newspaper ad for land in Hernando County)
Looking down the Weeki Wachee River from the headwaters and the big Blue Spring. This picture is taken from the approximate location of today's Mermaid Theater at Weeki Wachee Springs Park.
(Photos courtesy of Florida State Archives)
The population of Bayport
had grown very little since the close of the Civil War and by 1870 many
Bayport residents had turned to farming and planting orange groves to
support their families. In 1870 Bayport residents families
consisted of those who had been here many years prior such as the
Jenkins, Peterson, Parsons, Johnson and Garrison Families.
Along with the growth of Bayport came some new businesses and commerce, however in 1870 Bayport still had a general store. According to the 1870 Federal Census Bayport resident Greenlief Johnson, son of the late John E. Johnson, was working in the town's general store as a clerk. John Parsons was still the proprietor and owner of the Bayport General Store and being a Johnson Family friend employed the young Greenlief as his store clerk. Resident Isaac Nevitt Garrison, son of the former Isaac Garrison, worked as the Bayport mail carrier in 1870 and had the responsibilities of getting the residents their mail after it would arrive at Bayport. Garrison was also employed by John Parsons as he now operated the post office, likely from the Bayport General Store.
Along with the growth of Bayport came some new businesses and commerce, however in 1870 Bayport still had a general store. According to the 1870 Federal Census Bayport resident Greenlief Johnson, son of the late John E. Johnson, was working in the town's general store as a clerk. John Parsons was still the proprietor and owner of the Bayport General Store and being a Johnson Family friend employed the young Greenlief as his store clerk. Resident Isaac Nevitt Garrison, son of the former Isaac Garrison, worked as the Bayport mail carrier in 1870 and had the responsibilities of getting the residents their mail after it would arrive at Bayport. Garrison was also employed by John Parsons as he now operated the post office, likely from the Bayport General Store.
In 1873
Bayport would lose another of its founding residents as Susan Decatur
Parsons passed away while living at Bayport with her husband John Parsons.
Susan Decatur Parsons died on March 20, 1873 at the age of 53
years, Susan was not buried in the Bayport Cemetery but was instead
buried in
Parson/Decatur Family plot in the Historic Green-Wood Cemetery in New
York along with members of both families. Upon the death of Susan
Parsons and in accordance with law to settle any debts and expenses of
her estate there was portion of that estate sold
at public auction by Hernando County. John J. Hale, acting as administrator for the Susan Parsons estate, petitioned
the Hernando County Courts on January 3, 1874 to have certain
properties of Susan Parsons sold at public auction. Announcement
of these public auctions were required to be published in newspapers
throughout the area, these auctions were always
held on the steps of the county courthouse. On April 6, 1874 at
public auction, John Parsons purchased and paid $3,500 for 578
acres formerly owned by his wife Susan Decatur Parsons. Since the
property was sold at auction the deed conveying the 578 acres of
property was from County Commissioner T.S. Coogler to John Parsons.
(Click here
to
view 1874 deed to John Parsons) With the death of Susan Decatur
Parson in 1873, Bayport's pioneer resident and founder John Parsons was
now the individual and largest single property owner in Bayport.
Following the passing of Susan Decatur Parsons, John Parsons
continued to live at the large family home in Bayport.
While John Parsons remained in Bayport he also continued to promote the
commerce and growth of the town after his wife's death.
In 1876 Bayport was visited by a popular sportsman and settlers magazine/ handbook of the time called "Florida, A Handbook For Sportsmen and Settlers". The writers of this handbook had the task of visiting places throughout the United States and then to write about them in the most descriptive manor. In this particular handbook the writers were boating along the coast and through the rivers of Florida. Below is and excerpt taken from the handbook and pertaining to their adventuresome trip to Bayport,
By the 1880's Bayport had been rebuilt and had regained its popularity among settlers and travelers. One thing to never change throughout Bayport's history was the fact that John Parsons still called Bayport his home in the 1880's and had seen his dream of a town come to life. While widower John Parsons was growing old he still continued to hold his Bayport interest and welcomed anyone who wanted to visit. Activities at Bayport and along the Weeki Wachee River seemed to stir once again and this must have been pleasing for John Parsons. At the Big Blue Spring and the headwaters of the Weeki Wachee River a large storage house and store had been built and was actively used. John Parsons continued to operate his general store in Bayport and welcomed many guest to his prosperous town.
In 1884, John Parsons welcomed yet another travelers publication, this time called "Camping and Cruising in Florida." These sketches were originally published in the popular magazines Forest and Stream and American Field. Aboard their schooner the Rambler, the writers set out on their boating journey cruising the coast of Florida writing and describing their journey along the way. The following is an excerpt taken from "Camping and Cruising in Florida" and pertains to the authors trip to Bayport,
By 1885 the railroad had finally reached Brooksville through the efforts of local resident John J. Hale and others. While a rail connection through Brooksville was hoped as early as 1857, Hernando County residents had been unsuccessful. With the introduction of the railroad in Hernando County, Bayport received what was commonly called a "hack-line", which was nothing more than a narrow gauged private railroad. It is believed that the hack-line that reached Bayport was extended Brooksville and the interior of the county. For the price of $3 one could travel from Brooksville to Bayport and back. It was also this hack line that now carried mail to Bayport and long gone were the days that mail arrived by steamer.
In 1885 John Parsons, still living in Bayport, was still working to promote his town but in a new manner. Parsons was passing the adventure of business to some of the younger businessmen who had the same zealous for business that he once possessed. It was sometime around 1885 that John Parsons sold his General Store interest to a Lewis B. Sanders. Parsons likely understood how much Bayport relied on his general store and rather than closing the business he found a new proprietor to take over. In addition Sanders was also appointed and took the position as Bayport's new Post Master. While Parsons had sold some of his Bayport interest, he remained and continued to live in Bayport in the large home that he and Thomas Parsons had built years prior.
During this time the former Bay-Port House Hotel, which opened in 1855, was again serving the community as a hotel. Likely under new management the name of the Bay-Port House was changed to carry and honor former resident Isaac Garrison, who operated and owned the former Bay-Port House. The new name of the hotel was The Garrison House. At its original location the new Garrison House Hotel was again serving Bayport as it had been built and was intended. In addition to the Garrison House, Bayport also had a second hotel that was called the Whisenot House. There is no history or information on the Whisenot House. Both of these new hotels accommodate the many fisherman and boaters that were interested in visiting and conducting business at Bayport. Throughout the 1880's Bayport was in a transition from a former major shipping port of Hernando County to a small sleepy fishing village where one could escape the burdens of life or take a coastal vacation. This transition was further assisted with the introduction of the railroad in Hernando County and Bayport. The following information appeared in the 1886-87 Florida Gazetteer and is the entry for Bayport:
On May 28, 1888 the Bayport community would suffer the tragic loss of its founder resident, Major John Parsons. John Parsons had remained loyal to his community and remained in Bayport until the very end, where he finally passed at the age of 73 years. Parsons died in the large colonial style home that he and his nephew, Thomas H. Parsons, had built in 1852. This large and beautiful home stood as the first building and home in Parsons new town of Bayport. For more than 30 years the Bayport founded lived in and continued to build the small community that he had dreamed of as a young soldier. When the Civil War arrived in Hernando County, John Parsons stood and defended his town, gathering a company of men for the purpose. Through the times of loss and times of destruction, John Parsons never retreated from his dream of a community and stood strong ready for every challenge that was handed him. The dream of Bayport proved to be a life long and life learning endeavor for John Parsons and even today his strong and courageous spirit still thrives in the small historic coastal community.
The body of Major John D. Parsons was prepared and sent north to New York by railroad. On June 6, 1888 funeral services for the gallant John Parsons were held at the Church of the Holy Communion located in New York. After services the body was taken and interred in the Parsons/ Decatur Family Plot in the Green-Wood Cemetery of New York. This is the same cemetery where John's children and wife, Susan Decatur, were buried years prior to his death. Below is a copy of Major John Parsons obituary, which appeared in the New York Times on June 5, 1888.
After the death of John Parsons in 1888 the community of Bayport somewhat ceased in growing as a community. Most of the property formerly owned by John Parsons was purchased by the Coogler Family from Brooksville. After the Coogler's purchased the former home of John Parsons and with very little effort it was converted into a large and beautiful hotel to serve Bayport for many more years. The town built by John Parsons would remain and a new era in the History of Bayport would begin.
A New Bayport
In the years that followed the death of John Parsons Bayport became a popular resort in the winter for Northerners and in the summer for families from Brooksville. After the death of John Parsons it was as if Bayport was slipping back in time instead of moving forward. As the former home of pioneer resident and founder John Parsons was turned into an attractive resort hotel the Garrison House and Whisenot House eventually ceased operation and the Bayport Hotel became the only resort hotel in town, the exact date the Bayport Hotel was established and opened is unknown. Eventually the Sanders General Store closed and the Bayport Hotel became the sole attraction in the small fishing village of Bayport. Throughout the 1880's and 1890's most Bayport residents worked cutting cedar or growing oranges in the local groves while others simply worked as labors, there was very little to draw one to Bayport to live.
This photo of the Bayport Hotel, date unknown, shows the great colonial style home built by John Parsons in 1857. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Miller)
In 1909 the Bayport Hotel received a new manager and the atmosphere of the southern hotel became popular among Hernando County. Long time Bayport resident Frances Goethe became the manager of the Bayport Hotel in 1909 after the death of her husband Joe Goethe. Joe Goethe passed away on December 31, 1909 when a boat that he was in caught fire off Anclote. Joe and Frances Goethe moved to Bayport in ca. 1879 and Joe took up the occupation of cedar cutter. After taking over the management of the Bayport Hotel, Frances Goethe along with her son, Henry, eventually started a fishing business at Bayport. The fish were iced down, moved from Bay Port to Centralia by wagon and shipped out of Centralia by rail. In addition Mrs. Frances Goethe opened a "token store" from the Bayport Hotel, which included fishing tackle and boat rentals. While there was very little work in Bayport, Mrs. Frances Goethe created and found work to support her family after her husband death. After the death of Mrs. Frances Goethe, date unknown, the Bayport Hotel closed and ceased operation, after nearly 70 years the doors of the former John Parsons home closed since the home was built. Once the doors of the hotel were closed they would never be opened again as the hotel sat and fell into disrepair and eventually caught fire sometime in the 1940's to become nothing more than another chapter in the history of Hernando County and Bayport.
During the years of prohibition the activities around Bayport seemed to once again increase, however this time with illicit activities of moonshine and rum running. According to Bootleggers in the Backwoods: Prohibition and the Depression in Hernando County by Richard Cofer, "in the 1920s and 1930s, Hernando County's natural appearance had not altered much since the first settlers had arrived. The natural thickness of the vegetation, combined with a tough, independent, pioneer-like population, gave the county the right character for the illicit liquor trade. In many ways Prohibition proved a boon to Hernando County. The county had no points of interest to maintain a tourist trade. Real estate speculation had fallen from boom to bust. There was no other source of economic stimulation. By the mid-twenties the logging industry had depleted itself, the citrus industry was small, the rock mining industry had not yet been developed, and truck farming was minimal. Interviews with people who resided in Hernando County at the time confirm that there was not much money available, and many transactions were made in the form of bartering. According to one local citizen, whiskey was made in 'nearly every other house.' Another resident recalled: 'There were so damn many moonshiners in Hernando County they had to sell to each other to stay in business.' The entire county's social and political structure was infused with the illegal liquor trade. Cooperation between shiners and local law enforcement officers was typical. "The law, from judges on down, was inclined to look the other way where Prohibition enforcement was concerned. It was a situation made to order." Not only did law enforcement officers collect payoff money, but they actively frustrated the efforts of federal Prohibition agents. In Hernando County whenever federal agents would make an appearance or plan a raid, 'The sheriff would notify moonshiners to move, to get out, and 'the revenooers' would come in and maybe tear up the still but find nobody there," according to one resident.'
According to residents of the area, the leading Bayport resident involved in whiskey smuggling was a man named Henry. "Henry got two dollars a case for every case that landed at Bayport," claimed one Bayport resident who was active in the smuggling. Henry organized the local people, mostly fishermen and relatives, to run the barges, signal the Cuban boats, and unload the liquor. "Old Henry kept a pile of palmetto brush piled up, and you couldn't go into Bayport at night without him stopping you. If the wrong ones was coming, he would put a match in them palm fans to give the warning. They could see the light of the fire and get out and hide." Another local resident added:
In 1876 Bayport was visited by a popular sportsman and settlers magazine/ handbook of the time called "Florida, A Handbook For Sportsmen and Settlers". The writers of this handbook had the task of visiting places throughout the United States and then to write about them in the most descriptive manor. In this particular handbook the writers were boating along the coast and through the rivers of Florida. Below is and excerpt taken from the handbook and pertaining to their adventuresome trip to Bayport,
| Excerpt from "Florida, A Handbook for Sportsmen and Settlers", 1876 In steering a course for Bayport,
at the mouth of the Wiccawatchee, we kept the mainland for two or three
miles to our starboard, finding from four to five feet of water.
In running along this section of coast, it is essential that
tourist should keep a good lookout for "Negro-heads." Bayport is
easily recognized by a large storehouse and a pile of cedar logs.
We reached the dock at three P.M., and went in search of soda
crackers, and at the store laid in an addition to our stock. The
storekeeper assured us that "his oranges were the best on the coast."
Upon his recommendation we purchased a supply, and regret to say
we found them very inferior. The present population number about
twenty. Before the war large quantities of cedar timber were
shipped from this point, but of late years the trade has almost ceased.
Standing on the dock we noticed a large otter on the opposite
side of the river, and tried the effect of a Winchester cartridge.
It proved to be a line shot, but the elevation was too great, and
the ball passed about one inch above his head. Ascertaining that
the spring of the Wiccawatchee resembled those of the streams farther
north, we deemed it best to forgo the pleasure of ascending the river.
From such data as we were enabled to collect, we have reason to believe that the country back of Bayport is well stocked with bear and deer, and feel assured that the sportsman may secure some excellent sport. The section referred to can be reached by land, by taking stage from Gainesville, or by leaving Ocklawaha steamers at Silver Springs; conveyance to Ocala and stage from Ocala to Brooksville. At the latter place a vehicle of some description could be obtained, by which Bayport, distant thirty miles, could be reached. The tourist will find the neighborhood of Burkville an interesting locality. The immediate neighborhood is hilly, some of the highest points attaining an altitude of over four hundred feet. The land is superior quality, water first class, and the climate during the summer months unexceptionable. |
By the 1880's Bayport had been rebuilt and had regained its popularity among settlers and travelers. One thing to never change throughout Bayport's history was the fact that John Parsons still called Bayport his home in the 1880's and had seen his dream of a town come to life. While widower John Parsons was growing old he still continued to hold his Bayport interest and welcomed anyone who wanted to visit. Activities at Bayport and along the Weeki Wachee River seemed to stir once again and this must have been pleasing for John Parsons. At the Big Blue Spring and the headwaters of the Weeki Wachee River a large storage house and store had been built and was actively used. John Parsons continued to operate his general store in Bayport and welcomed many guest to his prosperous town.
In 1884, John Parsons welcomed yet another travelers publication, this time called "Camping and Cruising in Florida." These sketches were originally published in the popular magazines Forest and Stream and American Field. Aboard their schooner the Rambler, the writers set out on their boating journey cruising the coast of Florida writing and describing their journey along the way. The following is an excerpt taken from "Camping and Cruising in Florida" and pertains to the authors trip to Bayport,
| Excerpt from "Camping and Cruising in Florida:, 1884 We came to Bayport at the mouth of
the Weekawachee River. The channels from the Gulf to the mouth of
the river was staked. Near the wharf at Bayport we ran on the
broken mast of a sunken blockade runner, but got off without
sustaining any damage. Bayport is an old place of some note,
formerly quite important as a shipping point for cedar. It
consists of a store, post-office, and a few pleasant residents.
It is a pretty place with some of largest orange and lemon trees
I saw in Florida. Mr. Parsons is proprietor of the store, and will
be found an agreeable and intelligent gentleman.
We went up the river some two miles with the schooner, and then proceeded to the head of the stream, about ten miles farther, in smaller boats. The source of the river is a large spring, in the the basin of an acre in extent, surrounded by a rim or ridge of considerable elevation. This "White Mountain Spring," as it is called, is a subterranean river bursting out at this point with great force, giving to the river below a very strong current until tide-waters are reached. The spring is fifty feet in depth, and so clear that one's boat seems like Mahomet's coffin, suspended in mid-air. Great numbers of sheepsheads and gars can be seen swimming near the bottom, but as might be expected, refuse to take a bait in water so clear. The smallest object can be clearly defined on the bottom of pure white sand. The water boils up through great vents in the coralline rocks at the bottom, the bubbling plainly being seen at the surface. At the bottom of the spring, and for a short distance down the stream, are growing curious water plants, whose small elliptic leaves exhibit tints of red, purple, and blue, which are reflected through the crystal waters with a strange and pleasing effect. We were well repaid for our row up the river against the strong current, in viewing the wonders of this spring. There is a store and a dwelling on its banks, and a large schooner was resting on its bosom, which had been built, and was being rigged, at this place. Our return down stream with the current was an easy task, and very enjoyable, for most of the way is through dense, low, and rich hamacks, abounding in semi-tropical scenery. Tall cypress and palmettos, swamp maples and Spanish ash, nod to each other across the narrow stream, while the great white blossoms of the sweet-bay and magnolia gleam like stars amid the dark and glossy leaves, and fill the air with delicious perfume. |
| View along the Weeki Wachee River sometime prior to 1900. This is the same view that was seen while the writers of Camping and Cruising Florida wrote about in 1884 (Photo from Private Collection) |
By 1885 the railroad had finally reached Brooksville through the efforts of local resident John J. Hale and others. While a rail connection through Brooksville was hoped as early as 1857, Hernando County residents had been unsuccessful. With the introduction of the railroad in Hernando County, Bayport received what was commonly called a "hack-line", which was nothing more than a narrow gauged private railroad. It is believed that the hack-line that reached Bayport was extended Brooksville and the interior of the county. For the price of $3 one could travel from Brooksville to Bayport and back. It was also this hack line that now carried mail to Bayport and long gone were the days that mail arrived by steamer.
In 1885 John Parsons, still living in Bayport, was still working to promote his town but in a new manner. Parsons was passing the adventure of business to some of the younger businessmen who had the same zealous for business that he once possessed. It was sometime around 1885 that John Parsons sold his General Store interest to a Lewis B. Sanders. Parsons likely understood how much Bayport relied on his general store and rather than closing the business he found a new proprietor to take over. In addition Sanders was also appointed and took the position as Bayport's new Post Master. While Parsons had sold some of his Bayport interest, he remained and continued to live in Bayport in the large home that he and Thomas Parsons had built years prior.
During this time the former Bay-Port House Hotel, which opened in 1855, was again serving the community as a hotel. Likely under new management the name of the Bay-Port House was changed to carry and honor former resident Isaac Garrison, who operated and owned the former Bay-Port House. The new name of the hotel was The Garrison House. At its original location the new Garrison House Hotel was again serving Bayport as it had been built and was intended. In addition to the Garrison House, Bayport also had a second hotel that was called the Whisenot House. There is no history or information on the Whisenot House. Both of these new hotels accommodate the many fisherman and boaters that were interested in visiting and conducting business at Bayport. Throughout the 1880's Bayport was in a transition from a former major shipping port of Hernando County to a small sleepy fishing village where one could escape the burdens of life or take a coastal vacation. This transition was further assisted with the introduction of the railroad in Hernando County and Bayport. The following information appeared in the 1886-87 Florida Gazetteer and is the entry for Bayport:
Bayport
(Hernando County) L.B. Sander, postmaster. A small village, located on the Weekiwoochee
River and the Gulf of Mexico, 17 miles from Brooksville, the county
seat and nearest shipping point, telegraph and express; one hundred and
fifty miles from Tallahassee. There are two hotels and a general
store. Mails Monday, Wednesday and Saturday by hack from
Brooksville, which also transfers passengers at $3 for round trip.
Oranges and lemons are the principal shipments made from this
point. The place was first settled in 1857. Lands sell from
$5 to $10 per acre.
Garrison House. Sanders, L.B., postmaster and gen. mdse. Sturgis, Rev., clergyman. Whisenot House. (Excerpt taken from 1886-87 Florida Gazetteer in authors private collection) |
On May 28, 1888 the Bayport community would suffer the tragic loss of its founder resident, Major John Parsons. John Parsons had remained loyal to his community and remained in Bayport until the very end, where he finally passed at the age of 73 years. Parsons died in the large colonial style home that he and his nephew, Thomas H. Parsons, had built in 1852. This large and beautiful home stood as the first building and home in Parsons new town of Bayport. For more than 30 years the Bayport founded lived in and continued to build the small community that he had dreamed of as a young soldier. When the Civil War arrived in Hernando County, John Parsons stood and defended his town, gathering a company of men for the purpose. Through the times of loss and times of destruction, John Parsons never retreated from his dream of a community and stood strong ready for every challenge that was handed him. The dream of Bayport proved to be a life long and life learning endeavor for John Parsons and even today his strong and courageous spirit still thrives in the small historic coastal community.
The body of Major John D. Parsons was prepared and sent north to New York by railroad. On June 6, 1888 funeral services for the gallant John Parsons were held at the Church of the Holy Communion located in New York. After services the body was taken and interred in the Parsons/ Decatur Family Plot in the Green-Wood Cemetery of New York. This is the same cemetery where John's children and wife, Susan Decatur, were buried years prior to his death. Below is a copy of Major John Parsons obituary, which appeared in the New York Times on June 5, 1888.
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Published in the New York Times on June 5, 1888
 Image courtesy of Roger Landers
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After the death of John Parsons in 1888 the community of Bayport somewhat ceased in growing as a community. Most of the property formerly owned by John Parsons was purchased by the Coogler Family from Brooksville. After the Coogler's purchased the former home of John Parsons and with very little effort it was converted into a large and beautiful hotel to serve Bayport for many more years. The town built by John Parsons would remain and a new era in the History of Bayport would begin.
A New Bayport
In the years that followed the death of John Parsons Bayport became a popular resort in the winter for Northerners and in the summer for families from Brooksville. After the death of John Parsons it was as if Bayport was slipping back in time instead of moving forward. As the former home of pioneer resident and founder John Parsons was turned into an attractive resort hotel the Garrison House and Whisenot House eventually ceased operation and the Bayport Hotel became the only resort hotel in town, the exact date the Bayport Hotel was established and opened is unknown. Eventually the Sanders General Store closed and the Bayport Hotel became the sole attraction in the small fishing village of Bayport. Throughout the 1880's and 1890's most Bayport residents worked cutting cedar or growing oranges in the local groves while others simply worked as labors, there was very little to draw one to Bayport to live.
This photo of the Bayport Hotel, date unknown, shows the great colonial style home built by John Parsons in 1857. (Photo courtesy of Jeff Miller)
In 1909 the Bayport Hotel received a new manager and the atmosphere of the southern hotel became popular among Hernando County. Long time Bayport resident Frances Goethe became the manager of the Bayport Hotel in 1909 after the death of her husband Joe Goethe. Joe Goethe passed away on December 31, 1909 when a boat that he was in caught fire off Anclote. Joe and Frances Goethe moved to Bayport in ca. 1879 and Joe took up the occupation of cedar cutter. After taking over the management of the Bayport Hotel, Frances Goethe along with her son, Henry, eventually started a fishing business at Bayport. The fish were iced down, moved from Bay Port to Centralia by wagon and shipped out of Centralia by rail. In addition Mrs. Frances Goethe opened a "token store" from the Bayport Hotel, which included fishing tackle and boat rentals. While there was very little work in Bayport, Mrs. Frances Goethe created and found work to support her family after her husband death. After the death of Mrs. Frances Goethe, date unknown, the Bayport Hotel closed and ceased operation, after nearly 70 years the doors of the former John Parsons home closed since the home was built. Once the doors of the hotel were closed they would never be opened again as the hotel sat and fell into disrepair and eventually caught fire sometime in the 1940's to become nothing more than another chapter in the history of Hernando County and Bayport.
During the years of prohibition the activities around Bayport seemed to once again increase, however this time with illicit activities of moonshine and rum running. According to Bootleggers in the Backwoods: Prohibition and the Depression in Hernando County by Richard Cofer, "in the 1920s and 1930s, Hernando County's natural appearance had not altered much since the first settlers had arrived. The natural thickness of the vegetation, combined with a tough, independent, pioneer-like population, gave the county the right character for the illicit liquor trade. In many ways Prohibition proved a boon to Hernando County. The county had no points of interest to maintain a tourist trade. Real estate speculation had fallen from boom to bust. There was no other source of economic stimulation. By the mid-twenties the logging industry had depleted itself, the citrus industry was small, the rock mining industry had not yet been developed, and truck farming was minimal. Interviews with people who resided in Hernando County at the time confirm that there was not much money available, and many transactions were made in the form of bartering. According to one local citizen, whiskey was made in 'nearly every other house.' Another resident recalled: 'There were so damn many moonshiners in Hernando County they had to sell to each other to stay in business.' The entire county's social and political structure was infused with the illegal liquor trade. Cooperation between shiners and local law enforcement officers was typical. "The law, from judges on down, was inclined to look the other way where Prohibition enforcement was concerned. It was a situation made to order." Not only did law enforcement officers collect payoff money, but they actively frustrated the efforts of federal Prohibition agents. In Hernando County whenever federal agents would make an appearance or plan a raid, 'The sheriff would notify moonshiners to move, to get out, and 'the revenooers' would come in and maybe tear up the still but find nobody there," according to one resident.'
According to residents of the area, the leading Bayport resident involved in whiskey smuggling was a man named Henry. "Henry got two dollars a case for every case that landed at Bayport," claimed one Bayport resident who was active in the smuggling. Henry organized the local people, mostly fishermen and relatives, to run the barges, signal the Cuban boats, and unload the liquor. "Old Henry kept a pile of palmetto brush piled up, and you couldn't go into Bayport at night without him stopping you. If the wrong ones was coming, he would put a match in them palm fans to give the warning. They could see the light of the fire and get out and hide." Another local resident added:
| "They would haul that whiskey away from here in Planters peanut trucks. Planters didn't know they owned those trucks, but that's what they had painted on them." The account is picked up again by a man who worked for Henry and, Sam: They had it piled up there in the cemetery, the Bayport cemetery, two or three truck loads piled. Work for about 10 or 15 minutes and they would give you a ten dollar bill. They would give you all the liquor you wanted to drink. They would give me a drink and say, "Tex, that was the big shot from Tampa, Sam. Tex now listen. Anytime you want a drink there is a quart sitting where you can see it. You can drink all you want to, but don't take a drop with you. It's watched with a high powered rifle. |
During the times of these illicit
activities the area of Bayport was not open to just anyone who wanted
to take a ride. Since there was only one road into Bayport the
area was kept closed and off limits to outsiders as illegal activities
were underway. Just as the Bayport Hotel fell into disrepair so
did everything else that was remaining including the cemetery.
The Forgotten Bayport Cemetery
The Bayport Cemetery is among the oldest cemeteries in Hernando County, however it is also among a lengthy list of forgotten cemeteries of Hernando County. The exact date and the first burial in the Bayport Cemetery are unknown since the cemetery fell into disrepair and has long since been vandalized. The Bayport Cemetery at least dates to 1857 with the internment of Bayport founder Thomas H. Parsons, however it is believed that the Bayport Cemetery was already established at this time possibly by the military. With the establishment of the Bayport Community Cemetery many residents chose a plot in the community cemetery as their final resting place, entire families decided upon family burial plots in the community cemetery.
As the cemetery fell in disrepair the erodes of time began to creep in and take the cemetery property back. The vines and vegetation took over the cemetery growing over the hundred year old headstones that marked the graves of the one time residents of the Bayport Community. What time didn't take vandals did, throughout the years the Bayport Cemetery has been vandalized with headstones being broken and stolen from atop the burials that they marked. Today there are only three headstones that mark the burials of the Bayport Cemetery, these were too big and heavy to steal. Those stones that were stolen were located in a Hernando County pawn shop and court ordered to be given to the May-Stringer Museum in Brooksville where they currently reside today. It is believed that there were several graves in the Bayport Cemetery that were marked with home-made wooden markers that have since burned in forest fires and rotted away from coastal flooding.
The following list of names are those buried in the Bayport Cemetery and has been ascertained either through research and/ or previously recorded information. Those names with an (*) next to were taken from a list of names that appeared an article published in the Brooksville Sun on Aug. 17, 1951.
Just beyond this small saw grass marsh pond is the Bayport Cemetery, obscured by overgrowth. Photo 2007
Headstone of Marie Nissen and her daughter Ann Kathrine. The headstone laying on the ground beyond the Nissen headstone is that of William D. Underwood who was buried in 1859. Photo 2007
Close-up of the Marie and Anne Kathrine Nissen headstone. Photo 2007
Close-up of William D. Underwood (1825-1859) headstone. Photo 2007
This large 5 foot headstone belongs to Rev. A.M. Barrington who died March 20, 1886. Photo 2007
Close-up of Rev. A.M. Barrington headstone. Photo 2007
Headstone of Isaac Garrason which was among the headstone stolen from the Bayport Cemetery and now resides at the May-Stringer Museum in Brooksville. Photo 2007
This headstone of Hannah and Greenlief Johnson is also located at the May-Stringer Museum in Brooksville and was among the headstone stolen from the Bayport Cemetery. Photo 2007
Headstone of Rev. Johnson Wright which was stolen from the Bayport Cemetery and now reside at the May-Stringer Museum in Brooksville. Photo 2007
This page was last revised on June 21, 2008
This article was written by Jeff Cannon, Copyright ©2008
The Forgotten Bayport Cemetery
The Bayport Cemetery is among the oldest cemeteries in Hernando County, however it is also among a lengthy list of forgotten cemeteries of Hernando County. The exact date and the first burial in the Bayport Cemetery are unknown since the cemetery fell into disrepair and has long since been vandalized. The Bayport Cemetery at least dates to 1857 with the internment of Bayport founder Thomas H. Parsons, however it is believed that the Bayport Cemetery was already established at this time possibly by the military. With the establishment of the Bayport Community Cemetery many residents chose a plot in the community cemetery as their final resting place, entire families decided upon family burial plots in the community cemetery.
As the cemetery fell in disrepair the erodes of time began to creep in and take the cemetery property back. The vines and vegetation took over the cemetery growing over the hundred year old headstones that marked the graves of the one time residents of the Bayport Community. What time didn't take vandals did, throughout the years the Bayport Cemetery has been vandalized with headstones being broken and stolen from atop the burials that they marked. Today there are only three headstones that mark the burials of the Bayport Cemetery, these were too big and heavy to steal. Those stones that were stolen were located in a Hernando County pawn shop and court ordered to be given to the May-Stringer Museum in Brooksville where they currently reside today. It is believed that there were several graves in the Bayport Cemetery that were marked with home-made wooden markers that have since burned in forest fires and rotted away from coastal flooding.
The following list of names are those buried in the Bayport Cemetery and has been ascertained either through research and/ or previously recorded information. Those names with an (*) next to were taken from a list of names that appeared an article published in the Brooksville Sun on Aug. 17, 1951.
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Internments of the Bayport Cemetery
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(Taken from Brooksville Sun article in authors private collection)
Images of the Bayport Cemetery
Just beyond this small saw grass marsh pond is the Bayport Cemetery, obscured by overgrowth. Photo 2007
Headstone of Marie Nissen and her daughter Ann Kathrine. The headstone laying on the ground beyond the Nissen headstone is that of William D. Underwood who was buried in 1859. Photo 2007
Close-up of the Marie and Anne Kathrine Nissen headstone. Photo 2007
Close-up of William D. Underwood (1825-1859) headstone. Photo 2007
This large 5 foot headstone belongs to Rev. A.M. Barrington who died March 20, 1886. Photo 2007
Close-up of Rev. A.M. Barrington headstone. Photo 2007
Headstone of Isaac Garrason which was among the headstone stolen from the Bayport Cemetery and now resides at the May-Stringer Museum in Brooksville. Photo 2007
This headstone of Hannah and Greenlief Johnson is also located at the May-Stringer Museum in Brooksville and was among the headstone stolen from the Bayport Cemetery. Photo 2007
Headstone of Rev. Johnson Wright which was stolen from the Bayport Cemetery and now reside at the May-Stringer Museum in Brooksville. Photo 2007
This page was last revised on June 21, 2008
This article was written by Jeff Cannon, Copyright ©2008