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Transcribed by Sarah Baker on June 12, 2020 from Gertrude Rollins Letter to Admiral Blue. G. Rollins April 12, 2020 [page 1] 2511 RIVERSIDE AVENUE JACKSONVILLE, FLA. April 12th. 1923. My dear Admiral Blue. I have just returned and hasten to answer your letter. I am making a list of the names I have remembered and if any others occur to me later I will send them. Oglethorpe had 60 Scottish soldiers with him under Capt McIntosh. There is another Scottish name connected with the British occupation but I cannot recall it just now. Capt, McIntosh also had a son who was with him at the time of building Ft George and went with him on his raid across Batten Island and on to St Augustine. One of them, I think the father, was taken prisoner from there to Spain so that it would seem that it must have been he son who returned to Ft George and first made a plantation of it al tho [sic] the elder McIntosh may have secured the grant. I believe the kitchen house was first built as quarters for the officers of Oglethorpes army because the brick in it seems to be imported brick as well as that of the old tombs which I believe to be graves of his soldiers and not of any of the Kingsley family. The graves of Fredrica which are known to be British of Oglethorpes time and almost exactly like those on Ft George. Another interesting name is the Munsilio family. We have no information about them. There is Fatima Munsilia and a daughter and “The Munsilio house” mentioned in Kingsleys deeds and papers. It has occurred to me that the “Ghost house” may have been the Munsilio house. There is nowhere that I can find any authority for the legend that it was built for Mrs Baxter. [page 2] 2611 RIVERSIDE AVENUE JACKSONVILLE. FLA. Named connected with the history of Ft. George Island. General Oglethorpe. Capt’ McIntosh. ---- his son. Zephaniah Kingsley. Miss Kingsley (his sister married to George Gibbs) George Gibbs Jr. Kingsley Gibbs children of the above. ----------- Anna M, called the Princess. George Kingsley supposed to be her son. Mrs Sammis Mrs Baxter Annas’ daughters. ----------- Fatima Munsilia. A daughter of Fatima Munsilia ----------- Major Barnwell, Mrs Flemming probably could say what his connection is. ----------- John F. Rollins and his friend Edward Denny who explored the island at the close of the civil war and bought it from Mr Gibbs. Mr Porter, Dr Hall and Mr Rollins who formed the first Hotel company. Mr Fletcher with two sisters Ellie and Anna wo built and occupied the Fletcher cottage and was the architect of the hotel and other houses. Mr Mcintyre B Parker Harry Lownes, his son-in-law. Eunice Lownes his wife, quite a figure in her day. Sarah Burleigh Frank Weston Owners of The Oaks. [page 3] 2611 RIVERSIDE AVENUE JACKSONVILLE. FLA. Major Holmes. The Flemings DesMukes and Christophers of Talbot, Lewis Christopher not the Jacksonville Christophers, were frequent visitors during Kingsleys day. I have not included any of Mrs Blues family as you will know far more than I do about their places. [page 4] If there is anything more I can tell you I shall be glad to do so. Please give my love to Nelly and tell her I am still hoping to see her here in my house some time soon. Very sincerely yours [signed] Gertrube R. Wilson |
Last updated: June 25, 2020