The plantations of Leon County were numerous and vast. Leon County, in the U.S. state of Florida, was a true cotton kingdom. From the 1820s through 1850s Leon County attracted cotton planters from Georgia, Virginia, Maryland, North and South Carolina, plus other states and abroad to its fertile red clay soils and long growing season.

Slaves in Leon County

For some time and up until the early stages of the Civil War, Leon County was the fifth-largest producer of cotton among all counties in Georgia and Florida. (C. Paisley). Another source states that Leon County led the state in cotton production.[1] Because of this, in 1840, there were 654 adult white males, but 3980 "engaged in agriculture".[2] In 1860, 73% of the population of Leon County consisted of enslaved black persons;[3] as was true elsewhere in the South,[4] the value of those enslaved persons far exceeded the value of all the land in the county.[5] Leon County had more people enslaved than any other county in Florida,[6] and it was, therefore, the wealthiest county in Florida.[7] It was also the center of Florida's slave trade.[6]: 28 

Plantations in 1860

Note: Value = plantation value in United States dollars.[when?] TA = total area. IA = improved area. UA = unimproved area. Corn = in bushels. Cotton = bales of cotton

Leon County Plantations 1860
Plantation Value TA (acre) IA UA Enslaved people Corn Cotton Notes
William Alderman $5000 980 acres (4.0 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 480 acres (1.9 km2) 36 3000 75 [citation needed]
Silas D. Allen $2000 550 acres (2.2 km2) 250 acres (1 km2) 300 acres (1.2 km2) 22 1000 180
Jesse Averett, Sr. N/A 19,601 acres (79 km2) 1,200 acres (5 km2) 680 acres (2.8 km2) 60 2500 80
William Bailey $42,670 2,510 acres (10 km2) 825 acres (3.3 km2) 564 acres (2.3 km2) 75 4000 352
Bannerman $14,475 1,440 acres (6 km2) 700 acres (2.8 km2) 840 acres (3.4 km2) 67 4000 120
Barrow Hill $10,000 3,990 acres (16 km2) 2,590 acres (10 km2) 1,400 acres (6 km2) 71 3200 204
S. A. Belton $12,000 N/A 600 acres (2.4 km2) 400 acres (1.6 km2) N/A 500 N/A
Bellevue Plantation $10,000 520 acres (2.1 km2) 470 acres (1.9 km2) 50 acres (0.2 km2) 24 N/A N/A
Betton Hill $00,000 0000 0000 00 0000 000 000
Blakely $9000 900 acres (3.6 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 400 N/A 3000 40
William D. Bloxham $7000 1,400 acres (6 km2) 600 acres (2.4 km2) 800 acres (3.2 km2) 52 2500 100
J. R. Bradford $1300 N/A 700 acres (2.8 km2) 300 acres (1.2 km2) N/A 1500 75
Burgesstown $22,000 8,100 acres (33 km2) 3,800 acres (15 km2) 4,300 acres (17 km2) 274 1300 825
William H. Branch $13,375 1,070 acres (4 km2) 670 acres (2.7 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 57 3000 120
William A. Carr $31,000 2000 acres (8 km2) 1000 acres (4 km2) 1,000 acres (4 km2) 77 5000 260
Casa de Laga $15,000 1,228 acres (5 km2) 800 acres (3.2 km2) 428 acres (1.7 km2) 70 3000 200
Josesph Chaires $50,000 3,800 acres (15 km2) 1,400 acres (6 km2) 2,400 acres (10 km2) 130 5000 200
Chemonie $18,400 1,840 acres (7 km2) 1000 acres (4 km2) 800 acres (3.2 km2) 64 5000 200
J. B. Christie $12,000 1,420 acres (6 km2) 600 acres (2.4 km2) 800 acres (3.2 km2) 37 1500 80
Charles Cole $7680 N/A 600 acres (2.4 km2) 300 acres (1.2 km2) 30 1500 85
Henry Copeland $10,000 N/A 300 acres (1.2 km2) 200 acres (0.8 km2) 55 3000 81
John A. Craig $20,000 1,150 acres (5 km2) 600 acres (2.4 km2) 550 acres (2.2 km2) 44 3500 150
William P. Craig $13,000 1,150 acres (5 km2) 690 acres (2.8 km2) 350 acres (1.4 km2) 38 1000 62
Alex Cromartie $12,600 1,255 acres (5 km2) 600 acres (2.4 km2) 700 acres (2.8 km2) 53 4000 90
John Cromartie $5760 960 acres (3.9 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 460 acres (1.9 km2) 52 1500 37
J. Q. Cromartie $13,000 1,320 acres (5 km2) 300 acres (1.2 km2) 840 acres (3.4 km2) 40 3000 50
Leon County Plantations 1860 (Continued)
Plantation Value TA IA UA Slaves Corn Cotton Notes
Edgewood N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
El Destino (partly in Jefferson County) $17,000 (1832) 7,638 acres (30.91 km2) [citation needed]
Evergreen Hills $53,600 6,700 acres (27 km2) 3,600 acres (15 km2) 3,100 acres (13 km2) 135 6000 350
Francis Eppes $24,000 1,920 acres (8 km2) 950 acres (3.8 km2) 970 acres (3.9 km2) 70 3000 70
A. A. Fisher N/A 1,144 acres (5 km2) 625 acres (2.5 km2) 475 acres (1.9 km2) 46 3000 105
R. N. Fisher $11,800 1,080 acres (4 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 580 acres (2.3 km2) 45 3000 100
Dr. George Galphin $12,500 989 acres (4.0 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 500 acres (2.0 km2) 50 1300 75
C. B. Gamble $10,000 N/A 600 acres (2.4 km2) 240 acres (1.0 km2) N/A 2500 60
William Germany $20,000 3,240 acres (13 km2) 1000 acres (4 km2) 1,240 acres (5 km2) 40 1500 47
Goodwood $33,640 1,675 acres (7 km2) 1,050 acres (4 km2) 625 acres (2.5 km2) 58 2500 150
William A. Harvin $11,500 N/A 600 acres (2.4 km2) 550 acres (2.2 km2) 36 3000 91
Alex B. Hawkins $38,700 2000 acres (8 km2) 1,130 acres (5 km2) 860 acres (3.5 km2) 51 1800 93
Richard Hayward $62,680 N/A 7,444 acres (30 km2) 450 acres (1.8 km2) 51 2000 150
Griffin W. Holland $30,000 1,600 acres (6 km2) 1,200 acres (5 km2) 1,400 acres (6 km2) 95 7000 225
Horseshoe Plantation See (Pine Hill)
House Place $16,600 1,800 acres (7 km2) 900 acres (3.6 km2) 900 acres (3.6 km2) 47 3000 216
Edward Houstoun $25,000 N/A 900 acres (3.6 km2) 3,600 acres (15 km2) 78 3500 180
Ingleside $25,000 2,620 acres (11 km2) 1500 acres (6 km2) 1,140 acres (5 km2) 116 7000 181
James A. Kirksey $33,000 2,600 acres (11 km2) 1,320 acres (5 km2) 1,280 acres (5 km2) 180 6000 454
La Grange $55,200 4,150 acres (17 km2) 3,150 acres (13 km2) 1000 acres (4 km2) 232 N/A N/A
T. B. Lamar $1500 1,120 acres (5 km2) 1,200 acres (5 km2) 750 acres (3 km2) 41 2000 100
Thomas J. Laversage $8000 1,560 acres (6 km2) 1,700 acres (7 km2) 300 acres (1.2 km2) 48 2000 70
Live Oak $4000 1,560 acres (6 km2) 820 acres (3.3 km2) 260 acres (1.1 km2) 68 2000 73
Ellen C. Long $13,000 N/A 700 acres (2.8 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 52 1800 120
Daniel B. Meginniss $40,000 1,600 acres (6 km2) 800 acres (3.2 km2) 810 acres (3.3 km2) 70 3000 150
John Miller $35,000 2,517 acres (10 km2) 1,400 acres (6 km2) 1,300 acres (5 km2) 80 5000 180
Leon County Plantations 1860 (Continued)
Plantation Value TA IA UA Slaves Corn Cotton Notes
Miccosukee $35,000 2,517 acres (10 km2) 1,400 acres (6 km2) 1,300 acres (5 km2) 80 5000 180 [citation needed]
John C. Montford $800 1,080 acres (4 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 540 acres (2.2 km2) 35 2000 41
Mossview $20,000 2,204 acres (9 km2) 1,200 acres (5 km2) 1,200 acres (5 km2) 80 2000 80
William S. Murray $8000 1,120 acres (5 km2) 520 acres (2.1 km2) 400 acres (1.6 km2) 33 2500 45
Oaklawn $26,720 5,640 acres (23 km2) 1,200 acres (5 km2) 4,440 acres (18 km2) 20 5000 300
Orchard Pond $31,000 3,844 acres (16 km2) 1,300 acres (5 km2) 2,544 acres (10 km2) 118 4500 167
M. D. Papy $9000 1,200 acres (5 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 700 acres (2.8 km2) 43 3000 54
William Perkins $15,300 1,568 acres (6 km2) 900 acres (3.6 km2) 800 acres (3.2 km2) 42 2500 93
Julian S. Pettes $3000 N/A 350 acres (1.4 km2) 800 acres (3.2 km2) N/A 3000 75
Pine Hill $28,000 3,270 acres (13 km2) 1500 acres (6 km2) 1,770 acres (7 km2) 130 4000 225
Ponder $48,000 5000 acres (20 km2) 4,756 acres (19 km2) 5,756 acres (23 km2) 99 8500 206
L. S. Raines $10,000 1000 acres (4 km2) 500 acres (2 km2) 500 acres (2.0 km2) 43 1500 75
Thomas Randall $40,000 N/A 800 acres (3.2 km2) 2,800 acres (11 km2) 38 2500 75
W. F. Robertson $12,000 1,320 acres (5 km2) 600 acres (2.4 km2) 720 acres (2.9 km2) 30 2000 100
J. A. J. Roney $27,000 N/A 1,580 acres (6 km2) 550 acres (2.2 km2) 77 6000 198
G. W. Scott $4000 60 acres (240,000 m2) 50 acres (200,000 m2) 5 acres (20,000 m2) N/A N/A N/A
R. G. Shepard $24,000 1,400 acres (6 km2) 800 acres (3.2 km2) 600 acres (2.4 km2) 90 1000 225
Solomon Sills $5000 840 acres (3.4 km2) 225 acres (0.9 km2) N/A 26 97 1800
Smithwick $10,000 520 acres (2.1 km2) 350 acres (1.4 km2) 250 acres (1 km2) N/A 80 1500
Southwood N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A
Daniel Switzer $6000 620 acres (2.5 km2) 300 acres (1.2 km2) 320 acres (1.3 km2) N/A N/A N/A
Tuscawilla $36,000 3000 acres (12 km2) 1500 acres (6 km2) 1500 acres (6 km2) 172 3000 200
Verdura $20,000 2500 acres (10 km2) 1000 acres (4 km2) 1500 acres (6 km2) 63 2500 160
Walnut Hill $12,000 2,120 acres (9 km2) 1,700 acres (7 km2) 420 acres (1.7 km2) 65 2500 80
Water Oak $18,400 1,840 acres (7 km2) 900 acres (3.6 km2) 940 acres (3.8 km2) 65 2500 130
Waverly $00,000 0000 000 000 000 000 000
J. E. Whitaker N/A 2,280 acres (9 km2) 1,300 acres (5 km2) 1,200 acres (5 km2) 94 2000 157
Robert W. Williams $8000 N/A 400 acres (1.6 km2) 400 acres (1.6 km2) 37 acres (150,000 m2) 2000 100
T. B. Winn $13,920 N/A 800 acres (3.2 km2) 364 acres (1.5 km2) 52 acres (210,000 m2) 3000 81
Woodlawn N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A N/A

Note: Value = Plantation Value. IA = Improved Acres. UA = Unimproved Acres. Enslaved People = Number of persons enslaved. Machinery = Worth of machinery. Livestock = Worth of livestock.

Leon County Smaller Farms 1860
Owner Value IA UA Enslaved People Machinery Livestock Notes
E. P. Johnson $1410 88 acres (360,000 m2) 388 acres (1.6 km2) N/A $10 $260 [citation needed]
William Johnson $1410 88 acres (360,000 m2) 388 acres (1.6 km2) N/A $10 $260
E. S. McCollum $1000 75 acres (300,000 m2) 800 acres (3.2 km2) N/A $125 $880
Jackson Moody $500 25 acres (100,000 m2) 165 acres (0.7 km2) N/A $20 $300
S. W. Sweatman $1440 117 acres (0.5 km2) 123 acres (0.5 km2) N/A $100 $550

See also

References

  1. ^ Larry E. Rivers, ""Slavery in Microcosm: Leon County, Florida, 1824 to 1860", The Journal of Negro History, Vol. 66, No. 3 (Autumn, 1981), pp. 235-245, at p. 240, https://www.jstor.org/stable/2716918 Archived 2020-08-02 at the Wayback Machine, consulted 6/4/2015.
  2. ^ Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey (1941). "Historical Sketch of Leon County". p. 10. Archived from the original on 2017-12-28. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  3. ^ Rivers, p. 237.
  4. ^ David Brion Davis, Inhuman Bondage. The Rise and Fall of Slavery in the New World, Oxford University Press, 2006, ISBN 0195140737, p. 298.
  5. ^ Rivers, p. 243.
  6. ^ a b Julia Floyd Smith, Slavery and Plantation Growth in Antebellum Florida 1821-1860, Gainesville, University of Florida Press, 1973, ISBN 0813003237, Appendix B, "Excerpts from County Tax Books in Florida Showing Ownership in Acreage and Slaves", pp. 213-222.
  7. ^ Smith, p. 140.

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