The Bigelow Plantation

of Floral Bluff


This is a sketch of old mansion by Jerry Clarke; see pics below

Blue Gray Line

15336.43      Robert 7 BIGELOW, was the son of  Benjamin 6 ( Paul 5 , Cornelius 4, Samuel 3, Samuel 2, John 1) and Eunice (AIKEN) BIGELOW, was born 17 October 1797 at Norfolk, Litchfield, CT. He was a graduate of Yale and moved to VA sometime after, for a short time, and then to GA where he engaged in teaching. A move to Jacksonville, FL saw him engaged in the mercantile business. He served as QM in the Seminole War, purchased two plantations on the St. John's River, a slaveholder that treated his slaves kindly and humanely. He took no part in the Civil War, but was a strong southern man in principles. His opinions, regarding law and public affairs, were highly regarded. Prior to his death, he resided on his plantation on the East side of the St. John's River, known as Floral Bluff. He had married, on 03 April 1832 Mrs. Elizabeth Ann Broadalbane, a Florida native, born 12 December 1805. He died 03 April 1868 near Jacksonville:
There is more history of Jacksonville including cemeteries and houses including Robert Bigelow

at jackvill.htm
at jackvil2.htm
at jackvil3.htm
at jackvil4.htm; ; jackvil5.htm; jackvil6.htm; jackvil7.htm; jackvil8.htm ; jackvil9.htm ; jackvi10.htm; jackvi11.htm ; arling1.htm ; arling2.htm ;
arling3.htm ;arling4.htm ;


This is photo of side seen in sketch above.


This is photo of other (river) side, seen below in a much earlier circa 1920 photo.


(bobman1.jpg) Bigelow Plantation House; from 1959 "Arlington" booklet


(arl5b.jpg) Bigelow Plantation House; from 1924 "Arlington" booklet


From Cleve Powell
Don't recall where I found this but as I remember it was reportedly from Arlington..
This could be the original Bigelow home that was shown on the 1856 navagation chart. Your thoughts. Cleve

Arlington, Home by the River 187-.jpg

Cleve figured it out look at   www.floridamemory.com/PhotographicCollection/      It could be Bigelow or F. Richard depending on the height of the bank it's on it, looks like it is not on the top so it could be Floral Bluff also the width of the river behind it can be deceptive as the trees in Jax. would have been very tall but it could be looking across Pottsburg creek either way it is an early plantation structure. Cleve   < jcqlnp@bellsouth.net >


The principal early nineteenth century resident of Floral Bluff was Robert Bigelow (1797-1868), a trustee of the Francis Richard estate, who constructed a large residence on the heights, overlooking the river. An extensive orange grove surrounded his house, extending to the water's edge. Bigelow's house and plantation, later called the Bacon Place, provided the location for many moving pictures filmed in Jacksonville and Arlington during the short period between 1915 and 1920 when the industry prospered in the two communities.
Ralph Sistrunk was in the house when it burned in 1951; Rick Clarke clearly recalls it burning on New Years Eve of 1950/51.  It was a big place and a BIG fire.  It was sort of an apartment building at the time with two or three families in it. 

go to bluff2.htm ....


Modified - 10/11/2007
(c) Copyright 2007 Bigelow Society, Inc. All rights reserved.
Rod  Bigelow - Director
< rodbigelow@netzero.net >

Rod Bigelow (Roger Jon12 BIGELOW)
Box 13  Chazy Lake
Dannemora, N.Y. 12929
< rodbigelow@netzero.net > 
BACK TO THE BIGELOW SOCIETY PAGE

BACK TO BIGELOW HOME PAGE