Dorcas and Josephine, the oldest of Napoleon and Annie’s eight daughters were growing used to the spotlight in Tallahassee. They were the walking, talking embodiment of their father and mother’s relentless ambition to lead the state of Florida into a new century. “Mother, I’m going to help the girls get out of their portrait clothesContinue reading “PORTRAIT DAY at Florida’s First Governor’s Mansion – All girls”
Category Archives: Uncategorized
“Bay of Pigs & The Taxpayers’ Whorehouses” Annie Douglass Broward Hall
My great-grandmother dreamed of going to Vassar College while growing up in New York City. Vassar was founded in 1861 to offer higher education for women in the United States. Annabelle, as she was affectionately called by her Scottish immigrant grandparents, was encouraged to dream big. Her mother Margaret Anne had died giving birth toContinue reading ““Bay of Pigs & The Taxpayers’ Whorehouses” Annie Douglass Broward Hall”
Hereditary Diseases! Pandemics! And Quarantines!
“My Dear Dear Wife,” that’s how Napoleon, my great grandfather, begins his letter to his new wife Annie, my great grandmother. In the Summer of 1888, Annie had gone to visit her family in New York City. Now her husband pleads with her not to come home. August 24th, 1888 Jacksonville, Florida My Dear DearContinue reading “Hereditary Diseases! Pandemics! And Quarantines!”
Bury Me Next to My Sergeant Son
Enid Lyle Broward Hardee 1894 – 1943 My grandmother was the third daughter of First Lady and Florida Governor Annie Douglass and Napoleon Bonaparte Broward (1905-1909). Enid was an early Christmas present for the growing family born December 8th, 1894, as her father was serving in his first important elected position as Sheriff of DuvalContinue reading “Bury Me Next to My Sergeant Son”
One of Florida’s Firsts – Annie Dorcas Broward Starrett
There was no Saint Peter to raise “Dorcas” from the dead My great aunt Annie Dorcas Broward Starrett had a holy name. Dorcas was the disciple of Christ raised from the dead by Saint Peter after the crucifixion of Jesus, an event that continued the work of the Holy Spirit to convert a pagan worldContinue reading “One of Florida’s Firsts – Annie Dorcas Broward Starrett”
Children of the Civil War
My great grandparents were born on both sides of the Mason Dixon line. Napoleon Bonaparte Broward Jr. was the first son in a family of eight with six surviving children and two infant deaths. Josephine, Napoleon, Emily, Montcalm, Osceola (died as an infant), Mary Dorcas, California (died as an infant), and Hortense in the immediateContinue reading “Children of the Civil War”
The Grand Dame of Macon County
Florida Douglass Broward Segrest In my decade long research for my historical fiction Girls on The Porch, I traveled to Tuskegee, Alabama to meet civil rights lawyer Fred D. Gray and to Birmingham, Alabama to the archives department of the Samford Library. The Samford Library retrieved fifty boxes of historical documents from the estate ofContinue reading “The Grand Dame of Macon County”
Chasing Ghosts in NYC
The first memories most of us have as humans is the early touch of our mother’s arms, the smell of her breasts, the nourishment of her milk and perhaps the color of her eyes. While these are not conscious memories, they are the first moments of life – imprinting history, heritage, and hopefully one ofContinue reading “Chasing Ghosts in NYC”
Annie Moves South
Alexander Mitchell Douglass was a member of the ancient Order of the Thistle. He was first generation Scottish American born in New Bern, North Carolina. His father, Henry Mitchell Douglass, was born in Scotland and drowned in the Florida Keys during a hurricane. His mother died shortly after. Alexander Douglass was given to the custody ofContinue reading “Annie Moves South”
A First Encounter – Annie Douglass Broward
My great grandmother, Annie Douglass Broward, was the driving force behind the more than century old legacy of her husband, my great grandfather and Florida Governor, Napoleon Bonaparte Broward (1905-1909). At the University of Florida (1970-1974), I first encountered Broward Hall. I had heard there was a women’s dormitory at my new college named forContinue reading “A First Encounter – Annie Douglass Broward”