Bigelow Plantation House River Front. circa 1920 Floral Bluff (bobman1.jpg)
See link for
2006 information on Richard Family: /rod2006/richard6.htm See link
for 2006 information on Arlington
Tour 2006 See link
for 2005 information on Bigelow
cemetery and documents
pertaining to property, etc. see
cemetery link: http://jaxgen.home.comcast.net/bigelow.htmSee link for 2002 information on The Bigelow Plantation and Floral Bluff for 2003
Children of Robert and Elizabeth Ann (Mrs. Brown?) (Richard) Bigelow, all born at Jacksonville:
15336.431t Minerva, b 21 July 1833; d 07 Dec 1868; m 04 Sept 1861 George B. Turknett (1819-1868); 1 child.
15336.432t Robert John, b 14(18?) Jan 1835; d Ocoee, FL; m ca 1871 Stella Ward; 2 children.
15336.433t Eugene,
b 11 July 1837(38?); d 09 Feb 1893 Jacksonville, FL; m (1) Anna F.
Turknett, (2) Lillie F. Summerall; 5 children.
Robert's daughter, Eugenia Bigelow (1837-1898), taught at the
Egleston Heights public school in 1890. (this might be a twin of
Eugene, not previously known..ROD)
15336.434 Benjamin, b 10 Jan 1839; d__ Dec 1840 Jacksonville.
15336.435 Annette Rebecca Richard?, (Jeanette 1850 census), b ca 1841(one source 01 Nov 1846); m 02 Aug 1876 Martin Baker (William?) Cleveland; 2 daughters, Maude B.Cleveland, b 1886; Rosalie Cleveland, b 1889;
15336.436t Lucien Benjamin, b Sept 2, 1849(8?); d 05 Feb 1891; m 1877(?) Ella Spears; res. Joplin, MO; 2 children.
15336.437 Alexander Graham, b ca 1845 (one source 03 Feb 1850); m ca 1873 Mary Porter; res. Lake City and Jacksonville, FL; no children.
Sources:
Bigelow Family Genealogy Vol II , p 83;
Howe, Bigelow Family of America, p 323-324;
1850 census FL;
correspondence between descendants and Bigelow Society
historian/genealogist;
In the History of Duval co, FL , by Pleasant Daniel Gold;
page
115 (Religion)
"The parish organized by Reverend Alphonzo Henderson in 1834 had now
grown to the point that the Protesant Episcopal Church of Jacksonville
was incorporated by the Legislative Council on Feb 23, 1839. The Act
provided "that William J. Mills, Samuel L. Buritt, and Robert Biglow,
Wardens, and .....""
Robert Bigelow obtained his land from Francis Richard and it was
near
Strawberry Creek (Strawberry Hill?)
In the History of Duval co, FL , by Pleasant Daniel Gold; page
89 (Spanish Grants)
"Francis Richard secured grant for 200 acres near Pottsburg Creek
from Z. Hogans. Richard also obtained title in 1817 of a mill grant
for 16,000 acres on Pottsburg Creek. He built a sawmill, operated it
for many years. He also bought 350 acres from R. Hogans at "Strawberry
Hill", which was granted in 1817................"
Forge, The Bigelow Society Quarterly; vol 29, no3; July 2000;
pg 48:
"Bigelow Cemetery; Floral Bluff, FL; Near Arlington, FL in Floral Bluff
there is an old Bigelow graveyard. This branch of the family lived in
that area for many years. Descendants, whether from nearby or a
distance, still look after the graveyard on a regular basis (I found it
quite
overgrown and hard to find on 27 April 2000.....ROD) In this cemetery,
there are a lot of graves that date from the turn of the century when
there
was a yellow fever epidemic. The graveyard is fairly large,
approximately
150 feet square. Contributed by Rick Clarke, Arlington, FL via Janis
Pahnke,
Chicago, IL."
Note1:
These are my cemetery recordings of 27 April 2000, I have video of this
cemetery, and some stills.................ROD
(front row)( ; = next line)
Eugene Bigelow; born July 11 (14?), 1837; died Feb 9, 1893;
Lee Eugene Richard; Bigelow; Dec 2, 1872; May 28, 1940;
(Richard is last name of original owner of land and also maiden name
of grandmother?)
Anna Eugenia; Bigelow; Sept 20, 1868; June 18, 1945;
(behind Bigelow stones)
George A. Turknett; born; June 18,1819; died; Sept 20, 1868;
Elizabeth Hobence Turknett; born; Jany(or May) 21, 1866 died Sept 13,
1867;
Our own Little Baby; Boys; Turknett; illegible
Rebecca E. Reed; born ____ ; died June 6, 1851
Robert Bigelow; illegible dates d ....1868
In memory of; Elizabeth Bigelow; illegible dates
(To the right of Elizabeth (the first wife))
M. McG Breadalbane; born Feb 25?, 1829 (1889?); died illegible
(Behind Robert Bigelow)
Lucien B. Bigelow; born Sept 2, 1849; died Feb 5,1891
(Right next to Lucien)
Merle Allen; Bowlin; Aug 15, 1889; April 11(14), 1940. (see below)
Rosalie G.; Bowlin; Nov 14, 1892; March 6, 1976. (wife of Merle
above) (see below)
(In front of Robert and Elizabeth)
George Mongin Bigelow; born; Mar 8, 1863; died; Sept 29, 1868
(To the left of George)
Our Baby; Bigelow; died; Oct 22, 1887
Mary Tallulah; Bigelow; Feb. 4, 1866; June 28, 1906
Lillie Victoria; Dixon; Aug. 25, 1858; Nov. 4, 1918
John Marion; Dixon; Dec. 27, 1848; Jan. 3, 1915
(Off to the left corner of cemetery, away from Bigelow stones
above)
Mother; Sarah J. Brenanan; born May 14, 1845; died May 17, 1917
This is some of my research in the spring of 2000. More can be found on
jackvil2.htm.........ROD
9/3/2000.
......................The original plat for Floral Bluff was filed
March 1, 1887 by Gilbert Shepard. The plat contained merely four
blocks, which ran east from the landing in the St. John's River along
the north edge of what is today Arlington Road. 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. His daughter, Eugenia
Bigelow (1837-1898), taught at the Egleston Heights public school in
1890. (this might be a twin of Eugene, not previously known.....ROD)
........Arlington's Cemeteries: The 1995 historic survey recorded eight
historic cemeteries in Arlington. The origin of three of the
cemeteries, the Sammis Family Cemetery in the Clifton area, The
Bigelow Family
Cemetery along Floral Bluff Avenue, and the Parsons Cemetery north
of Fort Caroline Road, date to the pre-Civil War period. Surviving
headstones
and grave markers feature the names of many of Arlington's early
residents, some of whom played instrumental roles in the history of
Jacksonville
and Florida. The Parson's Cemetery, for example, is the final resting
place of Mary Dorcas Parsons Broward, mother of early twentieth century
Florida Governor Napoleon B. Broward.
Descendant note:
Posted by Ann White
February 20, 1999
Thanks for your information in response to my inquiry. I have
researched the spouse's family for about three years and would like
to respectfully submit some clarifying information in relation to
Robert
& Elizabeth Bigelow and their families.
Per the marriage license/record on microfilm at the Haydon Burns Main
Library,Florida History Room in Jacksonville, FL, Robert Bigelow
married Mrs. Elizabeth A. Brown (not Broadalbane).
The marriage license was obtained on 25 Feb 1832; the marriage took
place on 26 Feb 1832; S.J. Eubanks, JP, performed the service; the
marriage was recorded and filed 28 Mar 1832.
This information is also found on page 34 of Duval County Florida
Marriages 1823-1867, compiled and published by Aurora C. Shaw, 1983,
©1969, 1970 SG ED.
Robert Bigelow's spouse, Elizabeth
(Betsey) Ann, was the daughter of Rebeckah Hart Richard and John
B. (Juan Batiste) Richard. She was
born 2 Dec 1805 on the South bank of the St Johns River, East Florida.
She was previously married
to Thomas Brown, Jr. according to LDS records.
I have been stumped by the appearance of M. McG. Breadalbane who was
the administrator of Rebeckah Read's estate, and who is buried between
Rebeckah and her daughter, Elizabeth Bigelow, in the Bigelow Family
Cemetery. This is probably the "Broadalbane" referred to in your family
history as Betsey's surname at the time of her marriage to Robert
Bigelow.
The 1860 Duval County, Florida census lists a "McGregor Breadalbane,"
age 35 who is an Engineer, born in Florida. There is also a "Macomb
Breadalbane" in the same census, age 30 and a Labourer, also born in
Florida.
There is no record in Florida or Georgia of a marriage between
Elizabeth and a Breadalbane. However, the burial placement in the
cemetery and a Breadalbane appearing as Rebeckah's executor gives
strong circumstantial evidence that Elizabeth or her mother had a
connection to that family
name. Had Elizabeth married a Breadalbane, the two males listed on the
1860 census would likely be her sons. Can you provide me with a
reference
to the "Broadalbane" listed in your records?
I am focusing my research on Elizabeth's mother, Rebeckah, and have
diligently searched primary and secondary records for the past three
years. The Breadalbane character has me stymied and I would gratefully
appreciate any help you can offer.
Finally, a few interesting facts: I have visited the Bigelow Family
Cemetery and found local genealogical/historical data which records
the information on the headstones at the cemetery. Eugene Bigelow, son
of Robert and Elizabeth, is listed as a "Confederate Soldier." He and
his first wife, Anna, along with three of their children, are buried in
the family plot.
Robert Bigelow, his daughter, her husband and a five year old
grandson all died within a few months of each other. Since my focus
has been on Rebeckah, I haven't researched the cause of the deaths but
speculate that they're connected.
Robert Bigelow died 8 Aug
1868
Minerva B. Turknett died 7
Dec 1868
George A. Turknett
died 20 Sept 1868
George Mongin Turknett died
20 Sept 1868.
Geo. M. was the son of Eugene Bigelow and Anna F. Turknett Bigelow.
I hope you can shed some light on the Breadlbane connection. And I hope I have helped with this information. Ann White
One last request: do you know of any living descendants of Robert
Bigelow in Duval County or Florida - or anywhere for that matter - that
I might communicate with for additional information? Thanks
again
:-)
More
Elizabeth:
This was what Meredith Tano put
together and “performed” at the Bigelow Cemetery as Elizabeth Bigelow
on one of the tours of Old Arlington. She cited her sources at
the bottom. It was really well received by the tour goers.
My name is Elizabeth Bigelow. I
was born right here in Arlington, on the southern end, by Strawberry
Creek and
Silversmith Creek, in the year 1805 on the 2nd of December,
to
Rebeckah Hart Richard and Juan Batiste Richard. My grandfather was
Francis
Richard, a pioneer settler here in Florida, and was granted some of the
land
that was later to become the Bigelow Plantation. I was first married to
a nice
man named Thomas Brown Jr., Tragically, he passed on. There are so many
threats
to our health out here in this Florida wilderness. I learned about the
toll it
can take through my mother’s life. My mother, Rebeckah Hart endured so
much
sorrow and so many obstacles in her life, all of which she overcame. My
mother
is buried here in the cemetery under the name of Rebeckah Reed (the
last name
being her third husband’s). She was the second person buried at this
cemetery.
My mother In-law lives on a old lot with an
old cemetery on it. All the grave stones have the last name Bigelow on
it and I
was wondering if we could get any Information on this lot. The person
who sold the house to her said it was an old sugar
plantation. I believe one of the stones said Ann Bigelow and the dates
I believe are eighteenth century or older I'm not sure. If you can give
my any type of information please e-mail me at darkchylde1_98@yahoo.com.
I believe the Plantation was a citrus or ships' stores plantation
in Floral Park..........ROD
In reference to the cemetery on Floral Bluff Road, in the old
Arlington area of Jacksonville, Florida. that you were able to
connect
to the family of Robert Bigelow, 15336.43. (Forge, Volume 29,
#4,
October, 2000, page 64), I got a phone call from my cousin, Rick
Clarke. He had been out walking in the area, and saw a group of
young
boys, and an older man working diligently at cleaning up the cemetery.
He discovered they were Boy Scouts, doing a "Community Service"
project. Rick told the man that he was connected to the
Bigelow
Family. He meant very distantly, but the man assumed he
was a closer
relative, and suggested that the property would be best if it
were
leveled, and sold. Rick got the feeling that the man was
interested
himself in this possibility.
This is a small (about 1/4 acre lot) surrounded by a
waist high
chain link fence, but overgrown most of the time. Rick believes
there
was a burial there about 10 years ago, but none since. It
consists of
many more burials than stones, but the stones (Bigelows) are old.
In
checking an old map of the area, it appears that part of the cemetery
has been "annexed" by the owners of property that is on the side where
there used to be an entrance.
It would be a shame if this cemetery were destroyed,
to make some
unrelated person a profit, and instead of a memorial to these
Bigelows,
became a condo, or mini mart.
Do you know of any present descendants of this
family, that perhaps
have the Deed to the cemetery, and can protect it from being destroyed?
Or are there any Bigelows that you know of, perhaps connected
with a
Historical or Genealogical Society in Jacksonville, that might be
interested in preserving, and maintaining this cemetery? As you
mentioned in your article, there are "many of Arlington's early
residents, some of whom played instrumental roles in the history of
Jacksonville and Florida" buried there.
Janis
Comments:
We live one block away from the Bigelow
family gravesite (on Plantation Dr). We didn't even know it was
there until a week ago when they cleaned up the lot, we thought
it was just an empty lot. My daughter is a history freak, and
studied about this area when we moved here a year ago. When
we saw the graves and saw whose names were on them, she was
so excited! We think there should be a historical marker on the
site. The family was too much of an influence here to overlook it!
She got online to do some research after we "found" the graves,
and was thrilled to find they were married by Isaiah Hart. To
whoever cleaned up the property, thanks, you brought a piece of
history into our neighborhood we didn't know existed!
Note6:
Subject: The cemetery
Date: Wed, 12 Dec 2001 10:10:17 -0500
From: "R. Clarke" < rainproof@toad.net
>
Rod,
Glad to see that there's some interest in "guarding" the Bigelow
cemetery on Floral Bluff. My cousin Janis Pahnke passed some info
from me to you on the recent clearing of the cemetary. While I'm a
distant Bigelow descendant, I'm not one of the Jacksonville Bigelow
set. Cousin Janis is a "double" Bigelow through her grandfather
and grandmother, so is more into the group.
Anyway, my family, the Clarkes, moved to the Floral Bluff area in
August, 1941. My older brothers and sister recall much more about
the Bigelow plantation than I do, but I very clearly recall 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. Some effort had been put out to fix the
place
up, but not much.
Our own property is about a block south of the Bigelow property, so we
have some old documents pertaining to it that peripherally show the
properties owned by some of the people in the graveyard. Turknett
is one I recall. The Dixon family members buried in the cemetery
are of a local family that, when I grew up in the 50s, still lived 2-3
blocks east of the cemetery on a small lake called Lake Lucina.
There
is a Dixon Road there named for them.
Janis sent you a drawing that my oldest brother Jerry did of the
Bigelow mansion. He, my brother Bill, and my sister Shelby all
recall the old house. We all recall Bill running into the burning
mansion to see who he could help - no one as it turned out. Shelby, as
a child,
was surreptitiously inside the house and recalls that it was a
fantastic
place. Brother Jerry is in NYC and is easily reached via his e-mail;
he,
too, likely will recall some useful details:
Jerrny54@earthlink.net
Hope this helps,
Rick Clarke
P. O. Box 355
Royal Oak, MD 21662
The following is a message I got from my cousin Jerry Clarke (Rick
Clarke's brother) . I thought you'd find it interesting. It
adds a little more info. on the cemetery, besides what Rick sent to
you............Janis
.................
Janis:
Not to labor the point, I hope, I think I mentioned to Rick, that
Shelby, our sister, also walked over to the Bigelow Cemetery a week
or so later, and her impression of the man leading the Boy Scouts, who
were working hard toward their merit badges, was that he was really
benign, not covetous of the real estate, though he thought the Bigelows
should
be maintaining the cemetery and he was of the impression that those
Bigelows must have a lot of money to do things like that.
As to historical societies I wish I could help, though I have
a lead that I don't know how to follow. Jacksonville University
is just a mile north on University Boulevard. Maybe I noted
before
that they are the repository for the Jacksonville Heritage group's
collection of photos of buildings. JU is, I judge, not the
caliber of the state universities, but it is striving, I know, in much
more than basketball. For instance, they run a high-class looking
arts program including a classical music series. Brother Bill sent me
one of their programs. JU also took the the composer Frederick
Delius's house when it was about to be torn down in Mandarin, way south
on the St. John's river. English, though he was, he learned most
of his compositional rudiments in late 19th century in
Jacksonville. It was another famous story about a young man who
fought his father's push into practicality, in this case, managing an
orange grove rather than becoming a musician. JU seems to have
the sort of proximity and maybe more important, the benefactors, who
might be interested in helping out on recognizing an "historic"
cemetery. I think JU is on property just outside the Bigelow
share of the Richard grant, but that part of the matter is nearly
irrelevant and if it seems interesting, the subject should be
easily researched by someone in Jax.
I visited Jacksonville U. Library in Jan 2000 and had very little
sucess.
visited in 2003, much more
cooperation................................ROD
Some tidbits of info:
Jacksonville City Council 2002, considering ord. to place "granite
marker signs" on four cemeteries...."Bigelow
Cemetery" is one of them. (Ord# 2002-425, I believe)
Eugene Bigelow noted on your web pages as a "Confederate". He joined
the "Bartow Cavalry" under Captain
John W. Brady on 14 Oct 1861, as a private. This unit became attached
to the 1st Cav, Reg. Florida State
Troops. (What happened then, I will leave to someone else. If
anyone finds out...please notify me.)
Odd, four of the people died in 1868. Our "big" epidemics were
Yellow
Fever in 1877. Small Pox in 1883, and the
worst... Yellow Fever in 1888 which caused armed guards to be
posted, the politicians to desert town, threats
against refugees from neighboring towns, mail to be fumigated,
etc... (Perhaps there was a lesser epidemic in
1868.)
Regards,
Dean Bird
Jacksonville dsbird@msn.com
<
rodbigelow@netzero.net > 
