Judge Davis Floyd

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Davis_Floyd

Davis Floyd (1776 – December 13, 1834) was an Indiana Jeffersonian Republican politician who was convicted of aiding American Vice President Aaron Burr in the Burr conspiracy. Floyd was not convicted of treason however and returned to public life after several years working to redeem his reputation. He lost his wealth in the Panic of 1819 and died in obscurity in Florida 1834.

Early life

Davis Floyd was born in 1776 to Robert and Lillian Floyd in Virginia. In 1779, the family moved to Jefferson County, Kentucky. Floyd had three siblings, Elizabeth, Charles, and Mary Lee.

As a boy in Kentucky, Floyd came to befriend William Clark, younger brother of George Rogers Clark. The Floyd family became political allies of Clark. Floyd would briefly be 2nd Lieutenant of the Jefferson County militia. Floyd married his first wife Susanna Johnston Lewis in Jefferson County in 1794. Floyd had three children by Susannah, Gabriel Jones, Charles, and Elizabeth. Susanna died about 1807.

Political career

In 1801 Floyd moved to Clarksville, Indiana. In the same year Floyd became Deputy Sheriff of Clark County and the Clark County Recorder. Floyd, along with his father, was appointed to the Clarksville Board of Trustees. Floyd would ferry boats through the Falls of the Ohio rapids until 1808. Floyd was elected as a Clark County delegate to the territory's slavery convention in 1802, the convention would set in motion the events that would legalize slavery and indentured servitude in the Indiana Territory. Floyd would become the Sheriff of Clark County in 1803 and served until 1806.

Floyd was elected to the Indiana Territorial Legislature in an 1805 special election; the legislature had been reduced to five members when the Michigan Territory was detached. Floyd was generally at odds with the rest of the legislature, he was the only anti-slavery representative during his term. By the end of his term he had become too involved in the Aaron Burr Conspiracy to run for re-election and was succeeded by James Beggs as Clark County's representative.

Involvement with Aaron Burr

In 1805, while a territorial legislator, Floyd became involved in the plot of Aaron Burr. Floyd and Burr had both become members of the board of directors of the Indiana Canal Company. The company, believed to have had something to do with the conspiracy, was to build a canal around the Falls of the Ohio on the Indiana side of the river. The company failed and the investors lost their money, which was believed to have been used to help finance Burr's plot. It was never proven that the money was stolen. The company had an initial investment of $120,000 and handled over one million dollars during its duration.

Floyd had also committed to Aaron Burr that he would raise a regiment of soldiers to support his cause of illegally invading Mexico. It is unknown if Floyd was aware of how the regiment was planned to be used. The regiment of 30 men and boats assembled on Silver Creek in Clark County and left from the Falls of the Ohio to sail downriver to Natchez, Louisiana. They expected to join army troops there but were betrayed by General James Wilkinson. They were unable to meet up with the rest of assembling regiments because President Thomas Jefferson, already aware of the plot, decided the men were guilty of treason and ordered them all arrested. Floyd fled Louisiana and returned to Indiana were he was captured.

In 1807, with Floyd in custody and the plot exposed, Davis along with Burr and his other conspirators, were charged with treason. The treason could not be proved against Burr and the treason charges were dropped against Floyd. He was however charged a $20 fine and imprisoned for 3 hours. Some believe that Floyd was unaware of Burr's larger plot but much of the public at the time considered him a "conscientious traitor".

Just days after his sentencing in the conspiracy with Burr, the Indiana Territorial Legislature elected him as Treasurer of the lower house. It was unknown to them at the time that Burr had been acquitted. After learning of those events, and President Thomas Jefferson's unhappiness with the outcome, the legislature decided to take action. On July 6, 1808, legislature passed resolutions condemning Burr's plot and stating that "Indiana had no sympathy for Burr." Gov. Thomas Posey revoked Floyd's military commission in the militia, probably at the request of President Jefferson.

After the conspiracy

On October 10, 1807, the anti-slavery elements of the territory assembled for a convention in Springville, the same site as the convention that started the territory's anti-slavery movement. Floyd served as secretary of the convention which issued a resolution to oppose the new laws passed by the pro-slavery legislature. Floyd left Clark County that year and moved into Harrison County.

See also: History of slavery in Indiana

After the death of his first wife, Davis remarried to Elizabeth Robards Davis March 20, 1809. She was the widow of Thomas Terry Davis, the judge of Davis's treason trial. He would have one son, Robert, and a step daughter, Elizabeth, by his second wife.

When hostilities broke out with the Indians in 1811 Floyd was reinstated in the militia to the rank of lieutenant. After the 1809 Treaty of Fort Wayne, Floyd served with William Henry Harrison during Tecumseh's War and was present at the Battle of Tippecanoe. Floyd was part of a company of dragoons under the command of Major Parkes. Floyd was also instrumental in conducting negotiations to prevent the Delaware Tribe from joining the Shawnee's war.

After the war Floyd returned to public service serving as auditor of Indiana Territory in 1813. He was responsible for relocating the capitol to Corydon from Vincennes. He sought out contractors to build the new capitol building and finally selected Dennis Pennington, a leading man in the Territorial Legislature. In 1814 he would return to the job of Indiana Territorial Treasurer until 1816. In 1815 he moved to Corydon, Indiana, along with the capitol.

In 1816 Floyd was elected as a delegate to the Indiana Constitution Convention The same year he was also elected as Harrison County's representative to the first state legislature. On Nov. 22, 1816, during his term as a legislator, Floyd proposed the official acceptance of the design the state seal. The seal was approved by the legislature. Floyd described the seal as A forest and a woodman felling a tree, a buffalo leaving the forest and fleeing through the plain to a distant forest, and sun in the west with the word Indiana. The seal itself had been in use already and was probably designed by William Henry Harrison.

The same year he remarried to Elizabeth Robards after the death of his first wife. That year Floyd's company was awarded contracts to build the state executive buildings in Corydon. He built a new home for himself in Corydon in 1817, the home was later occupied by Governor and Vice President William Hendricks.

On October 13, 1817 he was appointed by Jonathan Jennings as the first Judge of Floyd County, Indiana. He served as judge until 1823. It is believed by some that Floyd County was named for him, but omitted from the record because of his involvement with Aaron Burr. According to the Indiana State Library the county was named for John Floyd, an early settler in Floyd County.[27] John Floyd was Davis Floyds' Uncle. However the original statute creating the county does not site a source for the name.

Floyd participated in creating a masonic Grand Lodge in Coryon in 1817. He, along with most every notable man in the state, was a member of Mason.

Floyd built a home in Corydon, Indiana in 1817 and opened a general store in 1818, but in the Panic of 1819 Floyd lost most of his fortune, his store, and his home. His home was later bought by Governor William Hendricks and is now apart of the Corydon Capitol State Historic Site. He unsuccessfully tried to re-enter politics in 1822 but was defeated in the congressional election by the popular Jonathan Jennings. Floyd's life in Indiana is described as "shrewd and crafty" by the Indiana Historical Society.

Life in Florida

With his political career seemingly at an end and his fortune gone, Floyd eventually accepted an appointment from Secretary of State John Quincy Adams to be a United States Commissioner and settle land disputes in newly acquired Florida Territory. He held his first session to settle disputes on August 4, 1823.

Floyd first settled in Alachua County in 1823 but had moved to Leon County by 1830. He served as mayor of St. Augustine, Florida in 1826 and as treasurer of the Florida Territorial Council from 1826 to 1828. In 1831 Floyd would serve as president of the Education Society which sought to promote public education in Florida. The society was instrumental in establishing the Florida public school system.

He died in Florida on December 13, 1834. It was believed that his remains were returned to Corydon for burial although his burial location has never been located.

From Descendants of John Floyd:

http://webcache.googleusercontent.com/search?q=cache:http://familyt...

JUDGE DAVIS6 FLOYD (ROBERT CLARK5, WILLIAM4, JOHN3, CHARLES2, JOHN1) [440]

• was born 1776 in VA, and
• died 12 December 1831 in Leon Co., FL [441].
• He married (1) SUSANNAH JONES JOHNSTON [442],[443],[444],[445] 14 February 1794 in Jefferson Co., KY [446],
  • daughter of BENJAMIN JOHNSTON and DOROTHY JONES. She was born 1779 in VA [447], and
  • died 30 March 1809 in Jefferson Co., KY or Knox, Harrison, or Clark Cos, IN [448].
• He married (2) ELIZABETH ROBARDS [449],[450] 20 March 1809 in Jessamine County, KY [451],
  • daughter of WILLIAM ROBARDS and ELIZABETH COCKE. She was born 25 April 1775 in Goochland Co., VA ?[452].

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Notes for JUDGE DAVIS FLOYD:

NOTE TO FLOYD MEMBERS: If you are a male Floyd, here is a good way to help in the research into the Floyd family. Sharon at >Loveland1220@aol.com< is organizing a Floyd DNA site:

"Pat-- can you put out the word to Floyd surname males to see if any of them want to participate with us in this project? We are using the lab at Ancestry and they are having a 40% off special. We are using the 46 marker kit which provides the closest possible match potential. I have also posted results on >Familytree.com< Their public (non-member) site is Ysearch.com. I haven't had any close matches yet, but I think the technology is still too new for most people to want to participate. Plus, they're not giving it away for free. I can understand hesitation. Anyhow, I just thought I'd ask. Thanks for your help. I'll keep you posted if any new information comes along. Sharon"

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Floyd, Davis (1772-1834)

• Born in Virginia.
• Member of Indiana territorial House of Representatives, 1805-1806;
• served in the U.S. Army during the War of 1812;
• Indiana territorial auditor, 1813-1814;
• treasurer of Indiana Territory, 1814-1816;
• delegate to Indiana state constitutional convention, 1816;
• candidate for Lieutenant Governor of Indiana, 1816;
• member of Indiana state house of representatives, 1816-1817;
• circuit judge, 1817-1823;
• candidate for U.S. Representative from Indiana, 1822.
• Burial location unknown. (See "The Political Graveyard, <http://politicalgraveyard.com/bio>)
• He was a Methodist.

He was the mayor of St. Augustine, Fla., as well, according to this: "1826 July 18 Mayor - Davis Floyd, Pro-Tem (July 18, 1826)" at <http://drbronsontours.com/staugustinetimeline.htm>. He appears occasionally in the Court records of Leon County. Alex Luken also notes these entries:

"Davis Floyd -Reported as Treasurer of the City of Tallahassee Admitted to the Bar Oct. 1, 1827," and "Henry W. Fontane -Admitted to the Bar as Henry W. Fountain [sic] on Oct. 1, 1827 -Advertised in 1828, offices in Leon and Gadsden Counties. " Alex notes that this is Sarah Fontaine Floyd's brother. Recall that Sarah was married to GRC Floyd). See elsewhere for her in my notes.

Floyd Co., Indiana is named for him, and he was its first judge. (Anna Cartlidge)

Western Courier, Nicholas Clarke Publisher, Vol. 3 #28 Monday May 23, 1814

John Smith, David Craig and Davis Floyd have been appointed by the circuit court of Harrison Co., Indiana Territory to build a brick or stone court house in Corydon. They are taking bids for construction.

William Tuley (op. cit.) says Davis was appointed as the US Land Commissioner in Florida by President Jackson, and died there in 1830. (He presumably is buried there, too.) His will was probated in Harrison Co., Indiana.

Alex Luken, noted throughout these pages, posted this on 31 May 2001 at the Floyd GenForum Pages:

"I have spent part of today in Corydon, IN, which was the state capitol of Indiana until 1825. In Corydon is a house built and occupied by Davis Floyd and family from 1816 to 1822. Apparently there was a recession and he lost the house to his mortgage holder in Louisville that year. (Fetter Brothers?) In 1823 he is appointed to a Territorial commission to arbitrate Florida land titles for East Florida. He held that position until 1825. From 1826 until 1828 he was the Treasurer of Florida. According to a letter in the family file in the Corydon library, Davis Floyd died Dec. 12, 1831.

"Apparently, in the 1930's and 1940's Clifton G. Davis of Louisiana went to a great deal of expense to track down the family of Robert. His wife descended from Mary Lee Floyd Winn, daughter of Robert. He had a researcher pull the land warrant (No. 5) and found that it was assigned to Davis Floyd, Mary Lee Floyd Winn and Elizabeth Floyd Winn, heirs of Sgt. Charles Floyd. He also apparently wrote up a 16 page pamphlet on Robert Floyd and in 1946 donated it to 1) the Filson Club, Louisville, 2) Indiana State Historical Society and 3) Illinois State Historical Society. I have not run across it at the Filson Club, but will have them look more closely.

"From the newest edition of the Encyclopedia of Louisville it states that Davis Floyd married twice, first to Susannah Johnston Lewis, widow, 2/14/1794 Jefferson Co. KY and second to Elizabeth Robards before 1818. (ed.: connected to the wife of Andy Jackson, Rachel Robards?) (later-- she certainly is! See elsewhere.) It states that he had two children with each. In the family file in Corydon, I find those children were named Charles, Gabriel, Elizabeth and Robert.... (She notes that Gabriel married....) Sarah Conn in Cincinnati OH in 1817. A Sarah Floyd, from Ohio, age 59, turns up in Clark Co. IN in the 1850 census, with a boy named Gabriel Floyd, born in Florida, age 9. The name Gabriel Floyd pops up again in Florida in the Civil War at the Battle of Cedar Bluffs. Believe Elizabeth to be Elizabeth Ann Floyd m. James S. Linn in Leon Co., FL 1828. Any help appreciated!"

About the children, there is this in the Indiana Archives: 9 July 1834, "only heirs of Davis Floyd," deceased, "Gabriel J., Charles, Elizabeth, and Robert Floyd..." Journals of the General Assembly of Indiana Territory 1805- 1815, Indiana Collection, New Albany Library, 977.2 J825, courtesy of Alex Luken, 2001.

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Alex Luken later adds:

"... I found in the Floyd family file in the New Albany library exerpts from a speech given about Davis Floyd that mentioned that he married the widow of Thomas Terry Davis, the judge who presided at Davis Floyd's Burr trial. It is probable that Thomas Davis introduced Davis Floyd to Aaron Burr, as Davis was a congressional representative from KY and would have known Burr in the legislature. James Wilkinson would have also been someone Thomas Davis knew-- from the KY legislature, congress and as a territorial judge for the Louisiana and Indiana territories.

"When I inquired about Elizabeth Robards.... I was told by more than one person that she is the daughter of William Robards and Elizabeth Pleasants Cocke, and that she was married to a Thomas Davis and David/Davis Floyd. I have not found record of her first marriage, but a marriage between Elizabeth Davis and Davis Floyd is found in Jessamine Co. KY in 1809. It is not listed in the index of the marriage record book at the Filson Club, but if you look in the book itself under the grooms' names that are listed, it is there, with a date of 3/20/1809, and William Caldwell as bondsman. When I inquired again on ancestry.com about this, I was told by Robards researchers that William Robards was living in Jessamine County with his second wife in 1809, and it would be highly likely that after the death of Thomas Davis in 1807, Elizabeth returned to her family....

"... the following ad appeared in the Gazette, beginning around April 14th, 1819, and continuing for about 8 months (editor, I added the commas to the lists):

"REMOVAL D. Floyd and Son have removed their store to the south side of the public square, at the stand lately occupied by John and Benjamin Aydelotte, where they offer for sale at reduced cash prices, the following articles, vis: Coarse and Fine Cloths, Kerseymeres, Casinetts, Vestings, Nankeen Janes, Dimety, Silks assorted, Silk Shawls, Callico, Cambricks, Gingham, and a handsome assortment of domestics.

"Also hardware, glass and queens ware, with a variety of other articles, particularly adapted to this market. Corydon April 14th 1819"

"Around October of 1819, things began to go badly for Davis. I believe there was a financial panic around this time, and he must have been strapped for cash. The following ad ran in the October 23, 1819 Gazette:

"LOOK HERE If you owe Davis Floyd & Son call at Squire Truitts office and save cost. All persons neglecting the above may expect the visit of an officer. Davis Floyd & Son"

"The ad ran well into the spring of 1820. By January of 1820, the real estate of Davis Floyd, and the real estate and improvements of Milo R. Davis had been sold at sheriff's auction.

"... Davis Floyd must have remained in the area for at least awhile, as his name appeared several times on the Post Office list of individuals who had mail waiting for them, as did Gabriel J. Floyd, his son, and Sarah M. (Conn) Floyd, Gabriel's wife. Gabriel went to Leon Co. Fla. in 1823 as a territorial land commissioner.... "

Alex Luken sends this from her friend Gus Stevens, GStevens@indian.vinu.edu , February 2002 : "...Dwight Smith, in his history of the Grand Lodge of Indiana, says, 'Davis Floyd of Corydon, Secretary of the Convention (Indiana Statehood), age about 45; attorney and judge of the circuit court; native of Virginia; veteran of the Battle of Tippecanoe; member of both the first Territorial Legislature and the first State Legislature; member of the Constitutional Convention of 1816.' There are a number of references to him in the book, mostly Masonic. Howard Burnett, in his 1936 History of Vincennes University, lists Thomas T. Davis as an Attorney, and that he elected to the first Board of Trustees of the Vincennes University at the time it was Chartered by the legislature of the Indiana Territory. The school had been founded as Jefferson Academy in 1801 and both years are significant in the schools history. There is no record as to when Davis left the Board of Trustees. Thus he is one of only two Trustees where no record can be found as to when they left the Board.... Gus Stevens"

..and Alex further adds, to another researcher in May, 2003: "... the branch of William's (Floyd) family that I work on ended up in Leon Co. FL in 1823-- Davis Floyd. He was a territorial land commissioner appointed by James Monroe, after being an IN judge and legislator for a number of years. He was territorial treasurer under Gov. Duvall from 1825-1828. He died in Leon Co. ca. 1831. His son, Gabriel Jones Floyd, was customs officer for Port St. Joseph, appointed in 1830. A son of Gabriel, Robert J. Floyd, resided in Appalachicola FL until his death in 1859. Robert was a member of the FL house of representatives for a number of years. A son or nephew was Gabriel Jones Floyd, who was somewhat famous in the FL confederate army. This Gabriel married Sarah Gorrie, daughter of John Gorrie, the inventor of refrigeration. Davis Floyd was married first to Susannah Jones Johnston, and second to Elizabeth Robards Davis, widow a KY Rep. Thomas Terry Davis, who was an IN Territorial Judge. Elizabeth Robards was the half niece of Lewis Robards, whose first wife was Rachel Donelson, the wife of Andrew Jackson. Davis Floyd was also the brother of Charles Floyd, who died on the Lewis & Clark Expedition. (The reasons I am telling you this is 1) Andrew Jackson Floyd's name 2) That you are in FL 3) Robert Floyd owned St. Vincent Island, near St. George, off the coast near Appalachicola. During the Civil War, it was occupied by Col. Richard Floyd, who was of the Camden Co. Floyd line.) .... "

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In June 2004, Alex Luken found these cites on Ancestry.com:

Name; Nature of Claim; Congress; Session; Manner Brought; Journal Page; Referred to Committee

• Davis Floyd, & H. Allen Compensation as commissioner under the Florida treaty 22 1 Resolution 159 Public Lands
• Davis Floyd, (Ind.) et al. Permission to work salt springs 14 1 Petition of Leg. of Indiana 153 Public Lands
• Davis Floyd, (Fla.) Compensation for bringing to Washington the report of Commissioners of Florida 19 1 Resolution 185 Public Lands
• Davis Floyd, (Fla.) Settlement of disbursement in 1812 19 1 Senate hill 466 Claims
• Davis Floyd, (Fla.) et al. Compensation as commissioner under Florida treaty 22 1 Resolution 159 Public Lands

See more on Davis under his father.

Alex Luken found this below in April 2005 at the Florida Historical Legal Documents web site:

"Whereas, it hath been shewn to the Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida, That the personal estate, of Davis Floyd, late of Leon county, deceased, is insufficient to pay his legal debts, and whereas Benjamin Chaires : Presiding Justice of the county court of Leon county, by whose decree alone under the existing statutes of this Territory, any sale of the real estate of said decedent, can be made is one of the executors of the last will and testament of the said Davis Floyd, and whereas the said Benjamin Chaires, executor, and Betsey Floyd widow and executrix of the said decedent, have presented a petition to this council, praying to sell the said real estate under a special enactment of the same, for the purpose of paying the debts of their testator, therefore,

"Be it enacted by the Governor sad Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida, That it shall and may be lawful for the said executor and executrix, to sell and dispose of the real estate of which the said testator died possessed, upon filing in the office of the clerk of the county court of said county, bond in the amount of five thousand dollars, payable to the Governor of the Territory, or to his successors in office, with security to be approved by the clerk of said court, conditioned, to make the sale in such manner as may best comport with the interests of the legal representatives of the said Testator, and to appropriate the proceeds in the manner prescribed by law, to the purposes pointed out in the preamble of this act.

"Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That all conveyances executed in conformity with and for the purpose of carrying into effect the provisions of this act, shall be valid and effectual as if executed by the said Davis Floyd, during his life time.

"Passed Feb. 13, 1833.

"Approved Feb. 16, 1833."

"Chap. 808 No. 69. An act to adjust and settle the accounts of Davis Floyd deceased, late Treasurer, and also the claim of the Territory against his securities, and for the disposition of certain lands.

"Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the Governor and Legislative Council of the Territory of Florida, That the Auditor and Treasurer of this Territory, be, and they are hereby authorized to settle adjust and liquidate the accounts of Davis Floyd, deceased, late Treasurer of this Territory, with his executors on principles of justice and equity, and to receive such amount from them as may be due to the Territory on such settlement, and also, that they be further authorized to receive from said executors a relinquishment of the land purchased by said Floyd in his lifetime, from the Territory, but not conveyed to him, nor paid for by him and that they be authorized to sell and dispose of said land at public auction in Tallahassee, at such time as they shall deem most expedient, on a credit of twelve months with good security and to make titles therefor in behalf of the Territory, when payment shall be made, and that they be authorized to settle with the securities of said Floyd, and on payment of the balance for which said securities may be by them deemed liable, to certify the same to the Governor, who shall thereupon cancel the bond of said securities: Provided, That the said Auditor and Treasurer shall give at least three weeks notice in the newspapers at Tallahassee, of the time of sale.

"Passed, Feb. 15th 1834. Approved, Feb. 10th 1834."

....and this from Alex Luken also:

"On the afternoon of February 6, Captain Robert Jenkins, pilot for the port of St. Joseph, spoke [?] a small schooner from his station at Cape St. Joseph. Although the vessel was strange in those waters, the master declined to take a pilot and stood off between the point and the mainland during the night. The next morning the Emperor was entered at the office of Gabriel J. Floyd, collector of the port. Floyd overlooked the irregularities in the schooner's papers because of the certificate from the American consul. The Emperor carried one passenger, Paul de Malherbe, and Floyd noted that, though bound for Mobile, her cargo 'consisted of only a few Oranges in the hold.' The mate of the Flavias, then in St. Joseph's Bay, might have enlightened Floyd (Floyd was collector of the port for a number of years. He later removed to Missouri and- was killed, Aug. 26, 1842, by a band of ruffians who robbed his house. Florida Journal, Sept. 23, 1842) as to the true nature of the cargo, for he later told Captain Jenkins that on the night of February 6, 'he saw Slaves or persons of color taken from the Schooner Emperor & put on land [in] the boat in which Malherbe was afterwards drowned.'

"It was not long before everyone in St. Joseph knew what the mate of the Flavias had seen. The report that African negroes had been landed was substantiated when later in the month Joseph Croskey conducted the negroes across St. Andrews Bay, by way of Captain William Loftin's ferry, on his way to his Econfino plantation in Washington..."

And this also from the Fla. Legal Documents site noted above (courtesy Alex Luken), which notes the history of the Land Commission Floyd was named to, along with two others, including an Alexander Hamilton.

"In 1822, the basic legislation establishing the machinery to dispose of land claims in Florida was enacted by congress. It established for the territory of Florida a commission of three members appointed by the President with the advice and consent of the senate. They were to receive a salary of $2,000 annually. The commission was to meet in Pensacola to settle land claims in West Florida and in St. Augustine to settle claims in East Florida.

"At about the same time that the land commission was established in 1822, the President appointed Alexander Hamilton as attorney general for East Florida. Hamilton, second son of the Federalist leader, a graduate of Columbia College, and a captain of infantry in the War of 1812, arrived in St. Augustine in the summer of 1822, and began immediately to take an active part in the politics of the new territory. On December 15, 1822, he wrote to the secretary of state [ed.: John Quincy Adams] concerning the problems of land titles in East Florida. In this letter Hamilton suggested that it would be wise for Congress to create a new land commission for the territory of East Florida. He pointed out that the land commission for West Florida was behind in its schedule because of a "malignant fever" which had broken out in Pensacola. He suggested also that from his observations the land title situation was much more complex than congress had expected. He judged that at least 1,200 Spanish and possibly 500 British claims needed adjudication; he also intimated the probability of many fraudulent claims, especially among those granted after 1815. It would be a policy of economy for both the nation and the individuals involved, if the greatest of speed could be exercised in settling the East Florida claims. Partially as a result of Hamilton's letter, congress created on March 3, 1823 a new land commission for East Florida.

"With its permanent base in St. Augustine, the commission had the same powers and duties in East Florida that the old commission had had for all of Florida. It was to finish its work and report to the secretary of the treasury on grants confirmed and rejected by February 1, 1824, only ten months after its creation! Two significant changes were made in the amending act; it was no longer necessary to present deraignment [In common law, the word "deraignment" is used in the sense 'to prove' ] of title, but the commissions were to confirm the land in favor of 'actual settlers' at the time that territory was ceded to the United States. The jurisdiction of the commissions was increased from 1,000 to 3,500 acres; claims in excess of 3,500 acres were to be referred to Congress.

"A temporary board of commissioners for East Florida, including Alexander Hamilton, Davis Floyd, and William W. Blair, was appointed on April 3, 1823. This group functioned or malfunctioned, as the case may be, until the summer of 1824. By that time Hamilton had resigned and Blair had been appointed to the federal bench. It was during the year from the summer of 1823 to the following summer that the frustrations of implementing articles 2 and 8 reached a peak. From the beginning there was a decided lack of harmony among the members of the commission.

"All three commissioners had achieved some prominence prior to their appointment to the East Florida land commission. Blair had attained eminence at the Kentucky bar at an early age and had been appointed a judge of the state courts. He accepted the appointment as a land commissioner hoping that the Florida climate would improve his health. Floyd, a former presiding judge in the Indiana courts, had achieved notoriety in the Burr conspiracy. He had been a close friend of Aaron Burr and had served as his principal recruiter in the Kentucky area. When the conspiracy was discovered, Floyd was indicted for treason and convicted in an Indiana court of a 'high misdemeanor.' Despite his conviction, Floyd served as a clerk of the territorial legislature and a state judge, and the governor of Indiana had recommended him for an appointment to the East Florida land commission.

"Hamilton had been involved in Florida politics long enough to make both friends and enemies. The East Florida Herald of St. Augustine approved his appointment to the commission and later championed his candidacy as a delegate to congress. However, a petition signed by forty-four citizens of St. Augustine requested that the President remove Hamilton from the board because he had allegedly said that those persons who did not vote for him would not have their claims confirmed. The charges, which Hamilton vehemently denied, resulted in two libel suits.

"There arose almost immediately a definite difference of opinion among the commissioners concerning what the Spanish land law actually was and how it should be interpreted and applied in East Florida by the commission. Article 8 had stipulated that the United States would make Spanish land titles valid 'to the same extent' that they would have become valid under Spain's jurisdiction. As far as the commission could discover, there was no comprehensive Spanish code of land laws which it could use to determine the ultimate validity of the grants. It was up to the commission to interpret those laws which it could ferret out from available Spanish sources. The one basic law upon which the commission could agree was found in book 12, title 4, of the Laws of the Indies:

" 'In order that our subjects be encouraged to the discovery and settlement of the Indies, and may live with the comfort and convenience which we desire, it is our will that houses, lots, lands, knights' shares, and peasants' shares of land, may and shall be distributed to all those who go to settle new lands in townships and villages, which, by the Governor of the new settlement, shall be assigned them, making a distinction between gentlemen and peasants, and those of an inferior degree and merit, and increase and give them of better quality, according to the importance of their services; and that they may devote themselves to the culture and improvement of them, and, having made on them their resi dence and place of labor, and resided in those townships four years, we grant them the right, from thenceforward, to sell and dispose of them, at their will, freely, as of a thing their property. . . .' " And the story continues on....

The Commission never did accomplish much, faced with huge numbers of documents (in Spanish) and claims. Finally, after several years, the US Supreme Court settled the land claims....

Long after his death, there was this dispute also, recorded in 'Race, Slavery, and Free Blacks Series II, Petitions to Southern County Courts, 1775-1867 Part A: Georgia (1796-1867), Florida (1821-1867), Alabama (1821-1867), Mississippi (1822-1867); 0038 (Accession # 20583602) Leon County, Florida, and sent to me by Alex Luken in July 2005:

"Charles, a mulatto, asks the court to recognize his manumission. He argues that when his former owner, William Vernaught, sold him to Davis Floyd in 1823, buyer and seller agreed that Charles would be free after twelve years of service. The term of service has now expired. So, too, has Davis Floyd. Because the executors of Floyd’s estate now dispute Charles’s claim to freedom, Charles also asks the court to issue an injunction preventing the heirs from selling or moving him out of the territory while he pursues his suit for freedom."

Alex also sent this in Sep 2007: "Interesting law suit. It names Gabriel J. Floyd and Charles D Floyd as the sons of Susanna Johnston Floyd. It would seem Gabriel mortgaged his interest in Benjamin Johnston's estate to his cousin Charles L Harrison."

The case and its first paragraph:

Robinson, Conway. Reports of Cases Decided in the Supreme Court of Appeals and in the General Court of Virginia, Vol 1. April 1, 1842 to April 1, 1843, The Michie Company, 1900, pgs. 568-569

"On the 27th of November 1816, a deed was made between Gabriel J. Floyd, then of the town of Louisville in the county of Jefferson and state of Kentucky, of the one part, and Charles L. Harrison of the same town of the other part, whereby-after reciting that Benjamin Johnston senior died intestate, leaving eight children, tow wit, Susanna Johnston who intermarried with Davis Floyd, Ann C. Johnston who intermarried with John F. Gray, Robert Johnston, and five others, of whom each child became entitled to one eighth part of his estate, and after further reciting that the said Robert Johnston and Ann C. Gray had died intestate and without issue, whereby Susanna Floyd became entitled to one seventh part of the said Robert Johnston's, and one seventh part of the said Ann C. Gray's part of the estate of the said Benjamin Johnston senior, and after further reciting that the said Susanna Floyd had died, having first had issue, to wit, the said Gabriel J Floyd and Charles D. Floyd, whereby the said Gabriel J. became entitled to one moiety of his mother's interest in the estates of the said Benjamin Johnston senior deceased and the said Robert Johnston and Ann C. Gray deceased; and after a further reciting that "the said Gabriel J. Floyd has this day sold to the said Charles L. Harrision , for and in consideration of the sum of 200 dollars, all his interest of, in and to all the estate, both real and personal, of the said Benjamin Johnston senior deceased and Robert Johnston and Ann C. Gray deceased, to which he is now or may hereafter be entitled as one of the heirs of his said mother Susanna Floyd deceased, lying and being, or owing, within the states of Virginia and Kentucky, claimed and owned by the heirs of the said Benjamin Johnston senior deceased, and also all the right, title and interest which he may be entitled to hereafter by descent, and also his right, title, interest and claim in and to bonds, notes, bills, judgments and executions which he is or may be entitled to hereafter by descent, which are now due or owing to the estate of the Benjamin senior deceased and Robert and Nancy deceased, or which may hereafter become due and owing as aforesaid."

And in 2010 Alex sent this:

http://library.uncg.edu/slavery/results.aspx?s=3&sid=309 PAR Number 20780403 State: Kentucky Year: 1804 Location: Jefferson Location

Abstract: "Joseph Antoine, a free man of color, petitions the court to prevent Jonathan Purcel, Emanuel Lacey, Davis Floyd, or any other person, from selling him into slavery. Antoine, also known as Ben, was emancipated in Havana, Cuba. After moving to Virginia, Antoine took as his wife a slave owned by Purcel. About 1796, the petitioner, his wife, and Purcel moved to Post Vincennes. Antoine states that Purcel then threatened to sell his wife into "some part of the Spanish country" unless Antoine agreed to indenture himself to Purcel for seven and one-half years. As an added inducement, the petitioner states, Purcel promised that Antoine's wife would also be freed at the end of that time. Shortly before the end of the indenture, Antoine discovered that Purcel planned to sell him and his wife to Emanuel Lacey. Antoine agreed to be sold, fearing that if he refused, Purcel "might place him in a worse situation." Lacey purchased Antoine and his wife, took them to New Orleans and sold them as slaves for life. There, Antoine was able to gain an audience with the Spanish governor of Louisiana, who reviewed Antoine's deed of manumission and voided the sale. The couple, "anxious to return" home, then traveled up the Mississippi River with Lacey, who mistreated and abused them until they ran away. Antoine's wife, exhausted and suffering from ill treatment, died. Antoine made his way to Louisville, where he was jailed as a runaway. Davis Floyd, a slave catcher hired by Lacey, took him out of jail and tried to sell him across the Ohio River, but Antoine was too old and too weak to attract any bidders. He was taken back to jail in Louisville where he wrote his petition."

More About JUDGE DAVIS FLOYD:

• Burial: perhaps Clarksville, IN [453],[454]

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Notes for SUSANNAH JONES JOHNSTON:

Jim Johnston provides these extensive notes: "An indenture in the Jefferson County, Kentucky, records shows that on Aug. 14, 1802 Davis and Susannah Floyd were living in Clark County, Indiana Territory.... When her sister's share (Nancy) of her father's estate was divided in 1809 after Nancy's passing, Davis Floyd is one of the recipients and not Susannah.... Also on August 7, 1792, George and Susannah Lewis sold 125 acres of land to John Harrison, Susannah's brother-in-law, for 10 pounds. This was Susannah's one-eighth share of another 1,000 acres of land of Benjamin Johnston's estate. That same day, the two of them sold John Harrison one-eighth part of Lot No. 6 in the town of Louisville, for 20 pounds. Again, this is part of Benjamin Johnston's estate...."

Where she died is a question, and so is shown variously in my notes. Alex Luken also questions that she died when shown, but suggests sometime between 1806 and 1808...

Alex later added this: "<http://www.vahistorical.org/about/2000_p6.htm> Papers, 1821-85, of the Johnston family (of Abingdon, Va.) concerning John Floyd, John Buchanan Floyd, Laetitia (Preston) Floyd, George Frederick Holmes, Beverley Randolph Johnston, George Ben Johnston, John Warfield Johnston, Mary (Wood) Johnston, Nicketti Buchanan (Floyd) Johnston, and Peter Johnston. 33 items. Gift of Archer Jones.

"Now this is quite interesting indeed. Davis Floyd was the executor of the will of George Jones in Clark Co. IN. This is the document that helps pinpoint Susannah Johnston's date of death. Anyhow, George Jones was married at the time to a widow named Jane Archer. George left his estate to his stepdaughter Polly Archer... and here we have papers concerning the Floyd family donated by an Archer Jones? Small world..."

--

Notes for ELIZABETH ROBARDS:

Alex Luken ponders these families: "18 Jul 2001, I am trying to piece together what seems to be an interrelated group of people. My primary interest is in Davis Floyd, son of Robert Clark Floyd and Lillian (Hampton). The children of Robert Clark Floyd are as follows:

• 1)Elizabeth Floyd m. Thomas Minor Winn, Jefferson Co. KY, son of James Winn and Hannah Withers, removed to Natchez MS 1808
• 2) Charles Floyd, died unmarried, Lewis and Clark Expedition
• 3) Mary Lee Floyd, m. 1) John Withers Winn, son of James Winn and Hannah Withers Winn 2) William Parke Walton, removed to Natchez MS 1808
• 4) Davis Floyd, b. abt. 1774 VA d. 12/12/1831 Leon Co. FL, m. 1) Susannah Jones Johnston Lewis, 2/14/1794 Jefferson Co., KY, daughter of Benjamin Johnston and Dorothy Jones. (Benjamin's brother, William Johnston, m. Elizabeth Winn, oldest daughter of James Winn and Hannah Withers Winn.) Davis married 2) Elizabeth Robards ca. 1818

"Yet a fourth child of James Winn and Hannah Withers Winn married Lewis Robards. Given the interconnectedness of the the above families, I am wondering if the Elizabeth Robards who married Davis Floyd is either the sister of Lewis Robards, or the widowed sister-in-law of one of Lewis' brothers? Any clues as to who the Elizabeth who married Davis Floyd is? I am looking for an Elizabeth Robards, b. 1774- 1800ish."

Woody Coyle, <ocow@hotmail.com> notes "There was an Elizabeth "Betsy" Robards that was married first to Thomas Davis and then to David (possibly Davis?) Floyd. I do not have a birth date for her but she is the daughter of William Robards, Jr. and Elizabeth Cocke. They were married in 1774 so the time line would be about right. William Robards, Jr. was a half-brother to Lewis Robards and to my GGGG-Grandfather Captain George Robards. William Robards, Jr. was later married to Eliza Lewis. Hope this helps. Woody"

Alex adds that William Robards, Elizabeth's father, was living in Jessamine Co. with his second wife and family about 1810.

...and Alex finds this Thomas Davis (see Thomas in next above):

"DAVIS, Thomas Terry, a Representative from Kentucky; studied law; was admitted to the Kentucky bar on June 28, 1789, and commenced the practice of law in Mercer County, Ky.; served as deputy attorney for the Commonwealth and the first prosecuting attorney for his district; member of the State house of representatives 1795-1797; elected as a Republican to the Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Congresses (March 4, 1797-March 3, 1803); was appointed United States judge of Indiana Territory February 8, 1803, and served as chancellor of Indiana Territory from March 1, 1806, until his death; died in Jeffersonville, Clark County, Ind., on November 15, 1807. Also: Judge of the Superior Court of the District of Louisiana (1804-1805) Thomas Terry Davis 1804-1805" He must assuredly be the Thomas noted above, Betsy's first husband. (Editor: he is.)

From early Leon County court records, found by Alex Luken, this petition:

"Now know all men that we Benjamin Chaires, Executor and Betsey Floyd, Executrix of the last will and testament of the said Davis Floyd do hereby refuse to perform and execute the trusts contained in said deed before noted, and do herely request that some competent and proper person may be substituted as such Trustee in the place of the said Davis Floyd deceased. Tallahassee October 3rd 1832

Ben. Chaires Exr, Betsey Floyd Ex.

In Chancery, The Honorable Thomas Randall Judge of the Superior Court of the Middle District of Florida in Chancery sitting. The petition of Wesley Adams, Samuel A. Spencer, Joseph McBride and George W. Ward.

Respectfully herewith, that James McMillin and wife did by deed bearing the date the fourth of August 1829 convey to Davis Floyd, his heirs, executors, etc. certain lots in the City of Tallahassee and other property in trust herein (?), first to secure the said Davis Floyd and your petitioners against any loss, damage or expense they might incur in as securities of Benjamin G. Thornton on a contract for building the Capitol, and afterwards for other uses as by the said deed reference thereunto being had will more fully and at large appear. And your petitioners further show unto your Honor that Davis Floyd since the execution of the deed aforesaid had departed this life, and that Benjamin Chaires Executor and Betsey Floyd Executrix of the last will and testament of the said Davis Floyd have wholly refused to act and fulfill the trusts contained in said deed, and your petitioners further show unto your Honor that it is requisite and necessary that some proper person should be by order of this honorable court substituted in the place of the said Davis Floyd deceased to fulfill the trusts contained in said deed, and for as much as matters of this and the like nature return any property cognizable by a Court of Equity. Your petitioners further pray that your Honor with your decree will appoint Joseph McBride under the said deed in the place the said Davis Floyd decd. he have consented to act as such and to ____ him with the same ____, and liabilities, and duties as ____and imposed upon the said Davis Floyd.

(Attorney for petitioners appears to be L. __ Thompson) "

--

Marriage Notes for DAVIS FLOYD and ELIZABETH ROBARDS:

Alex Luken found this record: "Kentucky Marriages to 1850; Kentucky, Jessamine County Davis, Elizabeth married Floyd, Davis on 20 Mar 1809 in Jessamine County, Kentucky."

Why Jessamine Co., I wonder?? Alex responds that "...the answer to this question is that Elizabeth Robards Davis returned to her father's home after the death of her husband. The Bondsman on the marriage of Elizabeth Davis to Davis Floyd is William Caldwell. William Caldwell is the husband of Nancy Robards, Elizabeth's half sister."

And she adds in 2006:

"I am spending some time in census records and looked up Davis Floyd on the 1820 census. He's in Harrison Co. We have 1 male under 10, 1 male 16-18, 1 male 26-18, 1 male over 45, 1 female under 10, 1 female over 45. This gives us an extra male in the household.

Gabriel married in 1817, so the 26-18 son would be Charles, the under 10 is perhaps Robert, who could be the same one in Apalachicola, although he gives his birthplace as KY, so perhaps that one is the son of Gabriel. The under 10 female would be Elizabeth. So who's the 16-18 year old male? I know we have had Lewis pop up several times with no proof... in any case we appear to have an extra male dependent."

Children of DAVIS FLOYD and SUSANNAH JOHNSTON are:

• 1. 89. i. CAPTAIN OF THE 11TH INF GABRIEL JONES7 FLOYD,
  • b. 1795;
  • d. 28 August 1842, St. Louis Co., MO.
• 2. ii. CHARLES D. FLOYD [455],
  • b. Abt. 1798 [456];
  • d. Aft. 1830, probably FL.
    • Notes for CHARLES D. FLOYD: Alex Luken notes Charles on the Florida census with one daughter.... and in 1830, we have, from Alex:
      • "In the 1830 census, Davis and Charles Floyd are listed as living in Magnolia, Leon Co., FL. As it turns out, the site of the now defunct town of Magnolia is 2 miles from Newport, FL in present-day Wakulla Co. FL. Apparently the cemetery still exists. Magnolia was severely damaged by a storm in 1843, and its port capacity was later moved to St. Marks. When the railway came through, it bypassed Magnolia for St. Marks, and the town eventually disappeared.
      • "According to a B&B listing of how far places are from Tallahassee, Newport is 9.8 miles from Tallahassee, which makes Magnolia either 7.8 miles from Tallahassee, or up to 11.8 miles from Tallahassee."
• 3. iii. ELIZABETH FLOYD [457],
  • b. Abt. 1803 [458];
  • m. COURT CLERK, LEON CO., FL JAMES S. LINN [459], 1828, Leon Co., FL [459];
    • b. Abt. 1797 [460].
      • Notes for ELIZABETH FLOYD: Alex Luken sent this information about Elizabeth and her husband, March 2007: I will find the exact dates, but Elizabeth Floyd married James S. Linn in Leon Co. in 1828. He was a clerk of the Leon Co. Superior Court. I believe this was a second marriage for him. The 1830 Leon Co. census shows his household as
        • Males
          • 0-5 years = 2
          • 5-10 years = 0
          • 10-15 years = 1
          • 15-20 years = 0
          • 20-30 years = 2
          • 30-40 years = 1
        • Female
          • 0-5 years = 1
          • 5-10 years = 0
          • 10-15 years = 0
          • 15-20 years = 1
          • 20-30 years = 1
      • I believe that James S. Linn migrated from Leon Co. to Nacodoches Co. TX by 1840.
• 4. iv. BENJAMIN FLOYD,
  • b. Abt. 1807.
    • Notes for BENJAMIN FLOYD: There is a Benjamin mentioned in the disposition proceedings of Davis' Florida estate, but I have no other reason to impute his being their child here.

Children of DAVIS FLOYD and ELIZABETH ROBARDS are:

• 1. v. LEWIS7 FLOYD [461],[462],[463],
  • b. Abt. 1811.
    • Notes for LEWIS FLOYD: About this Lewis, Alex Luken of Louisville says:
      • "I think Lewis is incorrect. I believe they (ed.: the Tuley book) are referring to Gabriel. He ran the hotel in Indiana, although he also lived in Fla. for part of that time, and was living in St. Louis when he died in 1842. (ed.: see Lewis' half brother Gabriel.)
      • "Tuley said Lewis was a long time resident of the Indiana side of the river. Yet he isn't on the census, and he isn't on the 1834 affidavit of Davis' children. If he was born in 1811, and died before 1834, that would hardly qualify him as a long term resident as he would only be 23. Gabriel, on the other hand, was about 46 when he died..."
      • I agree that Lewis seems suspect based on this.... and there is apparently a will that names a son Robert....
• 2. vi. ROBERT G. FLOYD [464],[465],
  • b. Abt. 1811 [466];
  • d. 21 October 1860, Apalachicola, Franklin Co., FL [467];
  • m. SARAH MCGILL CONN [468], 08 September 1851, Louisville, Jefferson Co., KY [469];
    • b. Abt. 1800;
    • d. 05 April 1859, Apalachicola, Franklin Co., FL [470].
      • Notes for ROBERT G. FLOYD: Courtesy of Judy Dupas <jdupas6@cs.com> in Louisiana to Alex Luken, Aug., 2002:
        • "Funerals in Trinity Church Parish (Apalachicola, Franklin Co.), W. T. Saunders, Rector, officiating
        • April 24, 1859 Sarah FLOYD, wife of Col. FLOYD, ....(illegible): body taken to Cincinnati
        • October 23, 1860 Robert G. FLOYD, for years pres. of Donate Collector of part...(illegible): buried on St. Vincent's Is."
        • Alex also found that Floyd was elected to represent Franklin Co. in the State House on 26 May, 1845, the first election in Fla.
        • His death is mentioned in the Alexandria Gazette, November 12, 1860, page 2, 3rd column, about 2/3 of the way down: "Col. R. J. Floyd, late director of the port of Apalachicola, died on the 21st ult." The paper is available in the Virginia Room of the Fairfax City Library, Virginia, on microfilm.
  • More About ROBERT G. FLOYD:
    • Burial: St. Vincent's Island, FL
      • Notes for SARAH MCGILL CONN: Alex Luken >alex.luken@gmail.com< notes that "Sarah M. Floyd, widow of Gabriel Floyd, married Robert Floyd in Louisville 1851. Isn't THAT interesting? Married the brother? Not the first time that happened. That would either move up the birthdates of Davis' kids or change the birth order, or it's an entirely different set of Sarah, Gabriel and Robert...."
      • She later added these notes in 2009:
        • Sarah McGill Conn married Gabriel J. Floyd on 11/30/1817 by E. Stone, Justice of the Peace, Hamilton Co. OH Source is the Western Spy newspaper, Dec. 5, 1817, pg. 3 col. 2. She is the niece of Charles Conn who died in Cincinnati in 1808. Charles' widow, Martha "Patty" Conn, married James Ewing in Cincinnati on 10/30/1808. He was a justice of the peace in Cincinnati. Two of Charles' sons are James and Joseph.
      • Alex sent this:
        • "State of Kentucky County of Jefferson
        • "On this 30th day of August 1851 personally appeared before me the undersigned a just of the peace for the State and County before mentioned Sarah M. Floyd aged 50 years a resident of Clark County and State of Indiana who being duly sworn according to law, declared that she is the widow fo Gabriel J. Floyd deceased, who was a Lieutenant in the company commanded by James Hunter in the 17th Regiment of Infantry commanded by Col. Samuel Wells in the War with Great Britian, declared by the Unted States on the 18th day of June 1812.
        • "That her said husband was appointed at Washington City on or about the first day of January 1812 for during good behavior, and continued in actual service in said War during its continuance and that he resigned his commission in the army at Fort Harrison Indiana on the ___ day of January 1817 or 1818 as will appear by the register of the Army of that date--She further states that she was married to Gabriel J. Floyd in Cincinnati and State of Ohio on or about the 30th day of November 1817 by one __Stone then a justice of the peace as she was informed and believes, and that her name before her marriage was Sarah M. Conn. That her said husband died at St. Louis County in the State of Missouri on the 28th day of August 1842--his death caused by injuries received at the hands of the robbers who entered our house in the night time -- and that she is still a widow. That she can find no public record of her marriage that in a family bible purchased and presented to her by her said deceased husband their marriage is registered in the handwriting of the late Robert A. New Dec'd who was then secretary of State of the State of Indiana--She makes this Decaration for the purpose of obtaining the bounty land to which she may be entitled under the act passed September 28th 1850. Signed Sarah M. Floyd
      • and: State of Kentucky County of Jefferson
        • "On this 3rd day of September 1851 personally appeared before me the undersigned a justice of the peace for the State and County before mentioned Col. Charles L. Harrison and William P. Thomasson who being duly sworn according to the law declare that they are well acquainted with the forgoing affidavant Mrs. Sarah M. Floyd... That said Gabriel J. Floyd was known to these affidants as a lieutenant in the Army of the United States during the years 1813, 1814 and 1815 and that he was retained on the Peace establishment.... said Thomasson further states that for years after the year 1821 said Gabriel J. Floyd and Sarah M. Floyd as man and wife, kept a public Hotel in New Albany Indiana where affidant was in the habit of stopping. Affiants state that from the time of their marriage to the present time they have never heard their being married doubted nor do they now doubt it. And that said Sarah M. Floyd is yet the widow of said Gabriel J. Floyd and affiants say they are wholy disinterested. Signed Chs L. Harrison, Will P. Thomasson"
        • Alex's friend Judy Dupas <jdupas6@cs.com> in Louisiana found this record: Funerals in Trinity Church Parish (Apalachicola, Franklin Co.), W. T. Saunders, Rector, officiating
      • April 24, 1859 Sarah FLOYD, wife of Col. FLOYD.... (illegible): body taken to Cincinnati
        • Alex Luken wrote in May 2009: "Our Sarah M Floyd who died in Apalachicola in 1859 and had her body shipped back to Cincinnati? Wife of Gabriel? She's buried in Wesleyan Cemetery, section C lot 100. The burial record lists Sarah M. Floyd "Floridy" date of death is 5/11/1859"
  • More About SARAH MCGILL CONN:
    • Burial: Wesleyan Cemetery, Section c, Lot 100, Cincinnati, OH