"Minorcans, New Smyrna and the American Revolution" Topic

… IN EAST FLORIDA

"Beyond Florida's state boundaries the history of New Smyrna is seldom mentioned.[1] Well known to the locals of New Smyrna Beach, the region's settlement by European colonists dates to 1768 when Scottish physician Andrew Turnbull led a colonization effort to Britain's far flung outpost in North America. After a trip to Asia Minor and the Mediterranean, Turnbull married Maria Gracia Dura Bin from Greece. While in the Mediterranean, Turnbull hatched the idea of colonizing Florida with Mediterranean folk, people from a climate similar to that of Florida and skilled in the raising of semitropical products.[2] Turnbull immediately recruited colonists after securing financial backing for his vision and acquiring 20,000 acres of land on the Florida frontier.[3] Most settlers who agreed to go with him were from the island of Minorca. In total, 1,403 people sailed under Turnbull's patronage in the spring of 1768.[4] After arriving at St. Augustine, Turnbull made the decision to settle Mosquito Inlet,[5] establishing New Smyrna in early August…"

Full text on Journal of American REvolution Blog
link

Armand

Wow, a very interesting story about some history in my backyard that I was totally oblivious to! Thank you for sharing. Last year my family and I took a trip to St Augustine, one of our stops was the fort guarding the inlet.

No mention my friend…

Armand