Putnam County

How It Came To Be?

The first legal transfer of property at Federal Point was the Land Grant to Pedro Cocifacio and is listed on all documents here-to-forward as the "Cocifacio Grant". It was listed as being 2000 Acres while in actuality after survey in 1834 was found to be 2185.88 acres. There were several transfers of portions of this land prior to the purchase by John F. Tenney and John C. Folsom.

How did the land know as The Cocifacio Grant become Federal Point as we know it today. We have taken a small parcel of the original 2000 acres and traced it up to todays owners.

The original grant as noted above was made June 4, 1813 by Don JUAN Ruiz de Apodaca, Governor of St. Augustine and was reinstated October 12, 1815 by Governor Pro Tem of East Florida., Don Juan Jose de Estrada and was finally approved by the United Staes of America on October 11, 1824 (American State Papers, Vol IV- page 235) and confirmed by Act of United States Congress, February 8, 1827 (Vol IV, page 202) At this time 1000 acres were acquired by Zephaniah Kingsley.(1765-1843)

Zephaniah Kingsley sold it to his wife, Anna Madgigine Kingsley on December 21, 1832 for the sum of $2500. (deed book 32-page 175) NOTES on Anna:

"I do hereby appoint Kingsley B. Gibbs, George Kingsley and Benjamin A. Putnam, as Guardians to my infant natural children, amongst whom I acknowledge all of those of Flora H. Kingsley of Camp New Hope, also Sara Murphy's mulatto child Micanopy now in Hayti. I do also solemnly enjoin my colored and natural children, that seeing the illiberal and inequitable laws of this Territory will not afford to them and to their children that protection and justice, which is due in civilized society to every human being ; Always to keep by them a Will, ready made and legally executed, directing the disposal of their property, after their death until they can remove themselves and properties to some land of liberty and equal rights, where the conditions of society are governed by some law less absurd than that of color. This I strongly recommend, nor do I know in what light the law may consider my acknowledged wife, Anna Madgigene. Jai, as our connubial relations took place in a foreign land, where our marriage was celebrated and solemnized by her native African custom although never celebrated according to the forms of Christian usage; yet she has always been respected as my wife and as such I acknowledge her, nor do I think that her truth, honor, integrity, moral conduct or good sense will lose in comparison with anyone."

To escape the severe laws of the Territory of Florida relating to free people of color, about 1835 Kingsley established Anna Madgigene Jai and her children, together with some of his lesser wives and their children, in Hayti. He was on his way there to visit them when he died in New York.

Following the end of the War for Southern Independence, Anna Madgigene Jai returned to Duval county where she continued to reside until she died some time prior to June 18, 1870, when her will was probated in the County Judge's court for Duval county. The principal beneficiary under her will was Martha Baxter, a daughter of Zephaniah and Anna, who had married a white man, as did also their daughter Mary Sammis. The latter predeceased her mother. Anna had filed a claim against the United States founded on the depredations following the uprising of the Patriots in 1813. It was curiously listed in the United States Senate report on these claims in the name of "Madgiqure, Ann, alias A. Kingsley." It was not allowed.

Anna Kingsley sold this 1000 acres to Duis Ferris for the sum of $500 on June 12, 1847 (deed book 32-page 177)

Sarah P. Ferris (wife of Duis Ferris) sold 1000 acres to Mary Ann McIntyre for the sum of $1000 on June 3, 1852. (deed book L- page 572)

Mary Ann McIntyre and husband, Wm. O. McIntyre sold 1000 acres to Sarah I. Madison for the sum of $2000 on July 27, 1852. (deed book L- page 574)

Sarah I. Madison sold 1000 acres to Cornelius Dupont for $2500 on September 6, 1858. (deed book 32- page 178)

Cornelius Dupont and wife Fanny V. Dupont sold 1000 acres minus that of said lot that was sold to Peter Murphy, to John C. Folsom and John F. Tenney for the sum of $1500 on July 14, 1868. (deed book 32- page 181)

From this point on the original 1000 acres are split numerous times.