The Bigelow Plantation
of Floral Bluff
This is a sketch of old mansion by Jerry Clarke; see pics below
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 > 
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