South of Black Creek, Colonel Patrick Tonyn, the second governor of East Florida, received title to a 20,000-acre tract in 1767. In a January 1, 1787, letter to the East Florida Claims Commission, Tonyn said that he was invited to make a settlement in 1763 but was unable to proceed until 1767 when he sent an agent to locate his tract and initiate a settlement. That agent was Alexander Gray, who also acted in the same capacity for son-in-law, Francis Levett, and several other East Florida landowners. After arriving in the province in March 1774, Governor Tonyn received an additional land grant for 125 acres and purchased a town lot and other rural tracts totaling 3,015 acres. The governor claimed that he invested several thousand pounds sterling to initiate good settlements.

Aerial view of the south bank of Black Creek, extending south to what is now Green Cove Springs, shown on the left.

Governor Patrick Tonyn’s 20,000-acre plantation was located on the south bank of Black Creek, extending south to what is now Green Cove Springs, shown on the left. The Shands Bridge is also shown in the photograph.

Plat map for Tonyn’s 20,000-acre tract south of Black Creek.

Surveyors plat map for Governor Patrick Tonyn’s 20,000-acre tract south of Black Creek.

William Bartram visited Tonyn’s Black Creek plantation midway through his 1774 explorations in East Florida. In a 1775 letter to Dr. John Fothergill, written from Charleston, Bartram described a brief river journey to pick up mail left at Tonyn’s plantation. Bartram said he was shown “some samples of the best flora Indigo I had yet seen, there were twenty hands employed on this plantation who made about twelve hundred [weight] of Indigo the last year, & had now planted this year’s crop.”

In January of the following year, another visitor left impressions of Tonyn’s plantation. Frederick George Mulcaster, a royal engineer believed to be an illegitimate brother of King George III, traveled with the governor from Lake George to the point where the St. Johns River joins the Atlantic Ocean. Mulcaster wrote: “Madame [the governor’s wife] was left at the plantation, when she soon quarrelled with Mrs. Till [Richard Till was overseer of the plantation] — words ran high. Madam called her a dirty creature, the other told her to go home to her husband the Coachman. And the Governor must find in favor of his darling. Mrs. Till was dismssed and Till followed after a few days. The Governor enquires everywhere for an overseer, but none offers and in a time of year a good one is wanted.”

Tonyn experienced reasonable success at his Black Creek plantation, but the American Revolution brought raids and extensive damage here and throughout the province. In 1776, an invasion from Georgia forced the governor to send several of his laborers to St. Augustine to build defenses in the public service. On another occasion British troop commander Augustine Prevost decided to burn all plantations west and north of the St. Johns River to deny shelter to rebel invaders. Tonyn wrote that his orders were “fully executed” and his own 20,000 plantation on Black Creek was totally destroyed. With his “land in ruins” the governor was forced to establish a new estate east of the St. Johns River. When the danger was over, the slaves were moved back to the Black Creek estate to rebuild and replant, all of which increased expenses.

When peace was restored Tonyn was enthusiastic about the future prosperity of planters in East Florida. He purchased the 1000-acre Fort George Island at auction following the death of its owner, Richard Hazard. He also purchased Little Fort George Island (Batten Island today) and a 650-acre tract directly opposite on the south bank of the St. Johns River (today’s Mayport). These purchases gave Tonyn control of both sides of the entrance to the most important waterway in the province. With the British colonies in the Caribbean as prime markets for East Florida provisions and forest products, Tonyn anticipated clearing £3000 Sterling each year. “Prospects were great,” he said, until Britain ceded East Florida to Spain.

After learning that British peace negotiators in Paris in 1783 had ceded East Florida back to the Spanish, the governor arranged to transport his slaves to the British Island of Dominica. Once there, he arranged the sale of his slaves, and the slaves of Jacob Wilkerson, Lord Martin Blade Hawke, and the heirs of the Earl of Egmont to a Spanish merchant from Havana, Cuba. The slaves sold for an average price of £55 Sterling each, at or above their evaluated price, but long delays in payment ensued, and several slaves died during the wait, resulting in significant financial losses for their owners.

The former governor complained bitterly that had East Florida not been ceded to Spain, slaves and plantations would have increased in value and that great profits would have been made for their owners. Instead, British subjects were advised to evacuate and abandon their land and buildings without a chance of securing buyers. Claims for losses, on advice from London, were greatly undervalued; it was either that or receive nothing. Consequently, Tonyn lamented, many of the claimants evaluated their losses at only “1/10 their real value.” The governor’s claim has been preserved in full at the National Archive at Kew, England.

Governor Tonyn’s Memorial to the East Florida Claims Commission.

Sales of Slaves, Property of Major General Patrick Tonyn.

1786
Purchasers
Negroes Names
Appraised Value
Sold For
Aug. 19 William Pagan London, Sarah & Chloe 65 69
Henry Curry Burwick & Daisy 130 136.19
Robert Beade Matilda, Caty, & Molly 110 118.16
James Clapham Beaufort 20 39.1
Henry Curry Anthony 60 79.0
Robert Beade Jobben 20 29.1
John Culpepper July 0 3.14.3
William Pagan Colly 60 67.1
Thomas Rainy Suckey 60 74.0
Aug. 25 Wlm Nielson Caesar 20 39.1
Henry Curry Nelly 40 52.1
Ditto Boatswain & Monemia 120 136
Thomas Gudgeon Jemmy 75 76
Thomas Allman Paddy 75 76
Thomas Rigby Mary 50 69
Wlm Urban Bice Rhena 50 54.9
Sept. 15 Cash Dick, Linda, Peter, Berwick 155 148
John Wilbraham Tony & Jenny 50 54.9
Daniel Callimore Sandy, Judy & Ned 145 145
Henry Curry Will & Molly 110 133.13
Arnold Bruce Flanders, Edinborough, Telemaque, Hamilton, Cain, and Jemmy 537.18 537.18
Cash Account Tom, Caty, Dick & Hector 260 260
Samuel Gray Piero, Charlotte, Johnny, Bella & Harry 225 225
Oct. 7 Freeland & Ribgy Jack, Sylvia, Billy, Lucy 155 155
John Hislop Pompey 50 51.3
Freeland & Rigby Charles 0 30
Houlton Harris Sampson, Lucy & Prince 146 130
Ditto Peter, Suckey, Charity, Patty, Nelly, Tinah, Mary 235 205
Thomas Howard Clarinda & Rachel 130 118.16
Oct. 21 Freeland & Rigby Phoebe 50 11
Houlton Harris Cato 60 36
Charges Viz’t
£3218.18
£3325.10.3

Cash paid Vendue Master & Agreement: £33; Bill & Liquor: 6.12; Advertising: 3.6, Colony Tax on £2527.3.3 vendue Sales @ 2½ per cent: 63.7, & commission 2½ % being half the usual charge in the West Indies, none being made by the attorney of Gen. Tonyn: 83.2.6. Total 189.7.6. Nett Proceeds of £3135.13.9.

Errors & Outstanding Debts Excepted. Dominica. Jan. 6 th , 1787. Robinson & Mehaffe.

Note. A Negro man named Newport sent to St. Kitts for sale & not included in the above account. Later sold for £60.9/Net 29.4.

A List of Negroes the property of General Tonyn Shipped in East Florida for Dominica where they arrived the 21 st August 1785

Men – 32
Women – 24
Boys – 15
Girls – 13
Sampson Clarinda Cain Celia–D
Berwick Lucy Jim or Jemmy Bella
Sandy Deasie Prince Chloe
London Judy Johnny Nelly
Dick Sarah Sampson–NI Patty
Pompey Lindy Harry Kate–D
Anthony Mary Israel–NI Lucy
Cato Sucky Berwick Memba–NI
Dublin/Dobbin Molly Peter Rachel
Beaufort Charlotte Nedd Nancy-d
Peter Peggy–D Frank Catty
Will Milly or Nelly Billy–D Nelly
Hector Monimia Jack–D Lindy–D
Jimmy Caty Billy–D
Telemaque Jenny Nero–D
Pero Mary–NI
Edinburgh Silvia
Casar Phebe
Flanders Betty
Boatswain Rhyna
Tom Sucky
July Amy–D
Sam–D on ship Matilda
Hamilton Charity
Primus–NI
Tony
Charles
Colly
Jack
Paddy
Dick

D = died in Dominica ; NI = not included in sales in Dominica

Witness my Hand in Dominica : April 16, 1786 , John Ross

A List of Negroes the property of Major General Tonyn Shipped in East Florida for Dominica

Newport Cain Bella
Sampson Jemmie Chloe
Berwick Prince Nelly
Sandy Johny Patty
London Harry Lucy
Dick — Public Negro Berwick Rachel
Pompey — Public Negro Peter Katie
Anthony — Public Negro Ned Nelly
Cato Clarinda 69. Tenah or Memba
10. Dobbin or Dublin 40.Lucy Total: 69 sold at Dominica .
Beaufort Daisy
Peter Judy
Will Sarah
Hector Linda
Jemmie Mary
Telemaque Sukey
Pero Molly
Edinburgh Charlotte
Casar Milley
20. Flanders 50. Monimia
Boatswain Katey
Tom Jennie
July Mary
Hamilton Sylvia
Toney Phebe
Charles Betty
Colloy Rhina
Jack Sukey
Paddy Matilda
30. Dick 60. Charity

15 Negroes died since their Embarkation at East Florida:

Sam, Primus, Peggy, Amey, Sampson, Israel, Frank, Billey, Jack, Billey, Pero, Celia, Kate, Nancy, Linda. 84 Total number.

Number stated in the first valuation dated 3 June 1783 .

At Tonyn plantation west of St. Johns River,
Men
19
Women
19
Children
16
Household Negros
Men
5
Women
6
Children
2
On board a vessel, Sailors 2
Omitted of Household Negroes in the above valuation
Men
3
a Boy
1
Women
2
a Girl
1
Ommitted in the said valuation that were on the plantation at St. Johns Creek & carried off by the overseer Evans, but retaken previous to the final Evaluations
Men
5
Women
6
Negroes who had formerly runaway and were recovered during the evacuation.
All
3
Frank, a waiting servant (exclusive of the above) attended the General to England, where he left him soon after.

State of Produce sold from Tonyn Plantation in East Florida from the 4th of January to the 31st of December

  • 1769 £233.06.0 ½
  • 1770 £25.17.5 ½
  • 1771 £142.00.5 ½
  • 1772 £149.09.8
  • 1773 £229.11.1
  • 1774 £256.14.8 ½
  • 1775 £187.13.1
  • 1776 &
  • 1777 &
  • 1778 £1626.17.8 ½
  • 1779 £731.03.7 ½
  • 1780 £423.09.8
  • 1781 £1135.04.
  • 1782 £153.18.8
  • 1783 £428.02.7
  • 1784 £415.18.10
  • 1785 £67.09.7&1/4
  • 1786 £607.09.5

         £6904.06.7&1/4

Valuation of Losses Sustained by the Estate of Governour Tonyn in consequence of the Rebellion in North America .

In September 1776 an Invasion of the Province being daily expected from Georgia, Tonyn Plantation situated on the West Side of St. Johns River was Ordered to be Abandoned and the Negroes to be immediately transported to the East side of St. Johns River with what necessaries could be readily brought off in consequence of which the following losses were incurred:

  • 50 Head Cattle left in the Woods and lost £150
  • 8 Head Horses £40
  • 100 Head of Stock Hoggs at 15/ 75
  • Half the Provision Crop estimated at 550 Bushels of Corn £165
  • Half the Indico Crop estimated at 600 lbs weight £120
  • Amount of Losses in 1776 £550.
  • In 1778, The Province being invaded from Georgia and Orders Issued by General Prevost to burn all deserted Houses and Manufactured Lumber left on the West side of St. Johns, the following particulars were burned:
    • Two framed plantation Houses one with Brick Chimney £100
    • Two Logg Barns fit to contain 1200 Bushels Corn in Cobbs £12
    • Four compleat setts Indico vatts and Works £75
    • About 3000 feet Cypress plank £15
    • 16 Negro Houses £8
    • About half a mile square of outer fence together with cross fences for the fields £30
    • A very costly machine for pulling up Trees by the Roots, cost with c[h]arges from England £300. Sterling , not valued
    • Amount of Losses in 1778 £240.

Tonyn Plantation being resettled in 1781. The following are the particular valuations of the moveable property upon the same.

  • 19 Men Slaves all prime 3 of them Coopers the rest Sawyers
  • 19 Women all prime 2 of them House Wenches, and 16 children from 12 years to 6 months, average £50 – £2700
  • 105 head of breeding and Stock Cattle £315
  • 4 Horses £24
  • 473 Barrels Turpentine not valued
  • A Stock of Seasoned Staves head and Hoops calculated for
  • 700 Barrels Naval Stores £35
  • In St. Augustine there are 13 household negro servants:
    • 5 men 6 women & 2 children £650
    • 2 prime negro men Sailors on board the Fortune £130
    • Amount of moveable property £3854
    • 2 cows & calves & 7 horses £54

Total £3908

Schedule and Valuation of Lands and unmoveable Estate belonging to Governour Patrick Tonyn:

  1. Tonyn Plantation: a Tract of Land containing 20,000 Acres. Originally granted to Patrick Tonyn Esq., situated on the west side of St. Johns River distance about 24 miles N.W. of St. Augustine, bounded Eastward by the said River, Northwardly by Black Creek & on all other sides by vacant lands. Grant dated April 16, 1768 , and which consists of:
    • 200 Acres of Hammock Land cleared, cultivated & fenced – £400
    • 1977 Acres Swamp & Hummuck cultivated – £988.17
    • 17,823 pine land situated on a Navigable Creek@1/6 1336. – £14.6
    • Total 20,000 Acres as appears by an Actual Survey and Plan made by John Purcell in the Year 1772 on which settlement the following Improvements have been made & now are:
      • One commodious dwelling House framed lofted & clapboarded with a chimney of Brick £60
      • One good Logg house kitchen with a Brick Chimney & Oven £20
      • Two Logg Houses, Barns £12
      • One compleat Coopers shop adapted for 3 working Coopers together with necessary tools £17.10
      • One very large Naval Store Shade with a Clapboard Loft £60
      • 19 Negro Houses £9.10
      • 140 Acres Land under crop for 1783 planted with Indian Corn pease & potatoes not valued
  2. A Tract of Land containing 1000 Acres on the Branch of the Nassau River adjoining lands petitioned for by William Alexander bounded Eastward by said lands, North by lands petitioned for David Yeates, West by lands granted to Francis Mulcaster and on all other sides by vacant lands. Originally granted to Alexander Gray March 28, 1775 . £275
  3. No. 3. A Tract of Land containing 625 Acres southside of the entrance of St. Johns River adjoining William Wilson’s Tract of 300 Acres. Originally to Alex Gray 27 March 1775. £31.5
  4. No. 4. A Tract of Land containing 1000 Acres Commonly called Great Fort George Island in the Mouth of St. Johns River. Originally to Richard Hazard 20 th June 1765 . £750. [Tonyn purchased the island May 10, 1779 , from Provost Marshall John Haley. The ensuing indenture said £2004. Executors Island, 1200 acres commonly known as Fort George Isle.
  5. No. 5 & 6.. A Tract of Land containing 38 ½ acres commonly called little Fort George & Ditch pond.
  6. Originally Granted to William Wilson February 15 th 1775 £50
  7. No. 7. A Tract of Land containing 150 Acres on the N.W. branch of Matanza Creek bounded on all sides by vacant land. Originally to John Boughhead 27 th March 1775 £61.10
  8. No. 8. A Tract of Land containing 125 Acres situated on Wood cutters Creek between lands granted to William Alexander and William Wilson. Originally granted to Patrick Tonyn Esq. 27 March 1775. £62.16
  9. No. 9. A Tract of Land containing 200 Acres on St. Johns Creek, about 3/4 Miles N.W. from St., Augustine. Originally granted to Andrew Turnbull 15 th June 1767. £25
  10. No. 10. One House and Lott in the Town of St. Augustine in George Street . No. 1 Gate Quarter, formerly the property of Witter Cumming. £200
    Losses:

  • Amount of immoveable Property – £4359.16.6
  • Losses in 1776 – £550
  • Losses in 1778 – £240
  • Amount of Moveable Property £3908

 

Total £9057.16.6

East Florida. Personally appeared before me, John Ross, who being duly sworn declares that he now doth act and for many years has acted as a Steward for the Estate of Governor Tonyn in the province aforesaid and that the particular losses mentioned above did really happen to the said Estate whilst he did act for it in that capacity and that he doth firmly believe that the Lands and Negroes remaining and Appraised as above are now the Lawful property of the said Gov. Patrick Tonyn. Signed by John Ross Sworn the 3d day of June 1783 before [not legible]. Also attesting to the validity of the valuation on 8 June 1783: Colonel Thomas Brown, William Panton, and David Yeats.

Documents Relating to Governor Patrick Tonyn’s Losses during the American Revolution

East Florida. Schedule and Valuation of Losses Sustained by the Estate of Governour Tonyn in consequence of the Rebellion in North America.

In September 1776 an Invasion of the Province being daily expected from Georgia, Tonyn Plantation situated on the West Side of St. Johns River was ordered to be abandoned and the Negroes to be immediately transported to the East side of St. Johns River with what necessaries could be readily brought off in consequence of which the following losses were incurred:

Fifty head of cattle left in the woods and lost, valued at 150 Sterling; 8 head horses valued at 40 Sterling; 100 head stock hoggs at 15 pounds 75 shillings; half of the provision crop estimated at 550 bushels of corn worth 165 Sterling. half of the indigo crop estimated at 600 lbs weight valued at 120 Sterling. Total amount of losses in 1776: £550.

In 1778, The Province being invaded from Georgia and orders issued by General Prevost to burn all deserted houses and manufactured lumber left on the west side of St. Johns, the following particulars were burned: Two framed plantation houses one with brick chimney, value of 100 Sterling; two logg barns fit to contain 1200 bushels corn in cobbs worth 12 Sterling; four compleat setts of indico vatts and works worth 75 Sterling; about 3000 feet cypress plank worth 15 Sterling; 16 Negro Houses valued at 8; about half a mile square of outer fence together with cross fences for the fields, worth 30; a very costly machine for pulling up trees by the roots, cost with c[h]arges from England £300 Sterling, but not included in the valuation. Total amount of losses in 1778 = £240.

Tonyn Plantation being resettled in 1781, the following are the particulars and valuations of the moveable property upon the same: 19 Men Slaves all prime, 3 of them Coopers the rest Sawyers. 19 Women all prime, 2 of them House Wenches. 16 children from 12 years to 6 months, average £50. Total value = 2700 pounds Sterling.

One-hundred-five head of breeding and stock cattle valued at 315. Four horses valued at 24. 473 Barrels of Turpentine not valued. A Stock of Seasoned Staves, head and Hoops calculated for 700 Barrels Naval Stores valued at 35.

In St. Augustine there are 13 household negro servants: 5 men 6 women & 2 children valued at 650 Sterling. Two cows & calves & 7 horses valued at 54 Sterling. Also 2 prime negro men Sailors on board the Fortune valued at 130 Sterling. Total amount of moveable property was £3908.

Bibliographic Information

Box 17, File 10, The Memorial of Patrick Tonyn, Treasury 77, Papers of the East Florida Claims Commission, the National Archive, Kew, England.