Melton Haynes
Born21 Mar 1827
Died10 Jan 1883
Buried
Yalaha Cemetery
Allegiance Confederate States of America
Service/branch Confederate States Army
Years of service1863-1865
RankCaptain
UnitCo. H, 5th Regiment, Florida Cavalry, C.S.A.
Spouse(s)Sarah Isabella Vaught

Melton Haynes (March 21, 1827 – January 10, 1883) was a Confederate soldier, civil engineer and early settler of Lake County, Florida. He is known for bringing the first sweet oranges to central Florida.[1] He was born in Whiteville, North Carolina to Bythel and Zylphia Nichols Haynes as the fourth of ten children.[2] As a youth, Melton experienced bouts of severe muscle and joint pain and it was recommended that he move to a warmer climate.[2] Haynes traveled to Florida in 1845 with his younger brother Bunberry.[2] They settled in what is now Leesburg, Florida on a bluff across Lake Astatula, naming their settlement Haynes Point.[3] During this time, Haynes earned money by surveying the untamed landscape of Lake County, as well as by selling sweet potatoes he planted.[4] It was also during this time that Haynes fought in the Seminole Wars during the uprising in 1848.[5] He married Sarah Isabella Vaught, whom he called Isa, in November 1849.[2] He served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives in 1884 and 1885. He served as a member of the Florida Senate in 1866. Using the sweet orange seeds Haynes brought to the area, he planted a 160-acre grove on Haynes Point.[6] Oranges were not native to Central Florida, so Haynes is credited with beginning what would become a flourishing citrus industry in the area.[7] Haynes died in 1883 after falling from his horse and drowning due to injury.[2] His home, called Woodlea and built in the cracker style, has been recreated at a park in Tavares, Florida.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b Bloodsworth, Doris (2013). Legendary Locals of Lake County. Charleston, South Carolina: Arcadia. ISBN 978-1-4671-0025-0.
  2. ^ a b c d e Grenier, Bob. Woodlea: Life on the Lake of the Dancing Sunbeams. Tavares, Florida. ISBN 978-0-9746626-1-9.
  3. ^ Kennedy, William (1929). History of Lake County Florida. St. Augustine, Florida: The Record Company.
  4. ^ Powers, Ormund (1999-03-03). "Melton Haynes Really Got Around--and Left His Mark Here". The Orlando Sentinel.
  5. ^ Grenier, Bob (2003). Florida's Forgotten Pioneer: The Gallant Captain Melton Haynes. Woodlea Co. ISBN 0-9746626-0-7.
  6. ^ Gouveia, William (1989). Pioneer Trails of Lake County.
  7. ^ "HISTORY OF LAKE COUNTY CITRUS". 2021.


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