College Park in Tallahassee in Leon County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Antonio Proctor, George Proctor, John Proctor
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 19, 2019
1. Antonio Proctor, George Proctor, John Proctor Marker-Side 1
Inscription.
Antonio Proctor, George Proctor, John Proctor. . (Side 1) , Antonio (Toney) Proctor, born Antonio Propinos circa 1743 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was enslaved as a child. During the American Revolution, he was a body servant to a British army officer. He later worked in St. Augustine for Panton, Leslie, and Co., and served in St. Augustine’s black militia. During the War of 18 12, Antonio aided Spain and for his service, was granted his freedom and 185 acres of land by virtue of a royal order from the king of Spain in 1816. Following the United States’ acquisition of Florida, he worked as an Indian interpreter for the United States Government. After Antonio helped negotiate the Treaty of Moultrie Creek and the Treaty of Payne’s Landing, Territorial Governor William DuVal stated, “Proctor’s skills proved indispensable. His services were invaluable to the United States at a period when no other person could have preserved the peace of the country.” Born circa 1805, Antonio’s son George was an architect, and began his career in Tallahassee in 1829. He left a tangible legacy as an entrepreneur and home builder for prominent Tallahassee citizens, including the Rutgers House, Randall Lewis House, Knott House, and Chaires House. In 1830, Antonio joined him in Tallahassee.
(Continued on other side). (Side 2)
(Continued from other side). In 1839, George married Nancy, an enslaved woman. In 1844, one of their sons, John, was born in Tallahassee. During the 1849 Gold Rush, George went to California with several Tallahassee businessmen. Settling in Sonora in 1850, he purchased properties, became a landlord, and worked as a newspaper agent for the San Francisco Elevator. George’s zeal for racial equality was echoed in an editorial he wrote for the paper, stating “Let us be men.” While George was in California, Antonio’s remarkable life ended in Tallahassee at the supposed age of 112 on June 16, 1855. George died in California in 1868. During Reconstruction, John worked as a teacher, election supervisor, and customs superintendent at St. Mark’s port. He served in the Florida Legislature, first as a Representative from 1873-75, and 1879, then as a Senator in 1883 and 1885. When some politicians tried to sell West Florida to Alabama, John was instrumental in resisting the sale. John died in Tallahassee on December 15, 1944, and is buried here. By doing great things during extraordinary times, three generations of Proctor men have earned a place in history.
(Side 1)
Antonio (Toney) Proctor, born Antonio Propinos circa 1743 in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, was enslaved as a child. During the American Revolution, he was a body servant to a British army officer. He later worked in St. Augustine for Panton, Leslie, and Co., and served in St. Augustine’s black militia. During the War of 1812, Antonio aided Spain and for his service, was granted his freedom and 185 acres of land by virtue of a royal order from the king of Spain in 1816. Following the United States’ acquisition of Florida, he worked as an Indian interpreter for the United States Government. After Antonio helped negotiate the Treaty of Moultrie Creek and the Treaty of Payne’s Landing, Territorial Governor William DuVal stated, “Proctor’s skills proved indispensable. His services were invaluable to the United States at a period when no other person could have preserved the peace of the country.” Born circa 1805, Antonio’s son George was an architect, and began his career in Tallahassee in 1829. He left a tangible legacy as an entrepreneur and home builder for prominent Tallahassee citizens, including the Rutgers House, Randall Lewis House, Knott House, and Chaires House. In 1830, Antonio joined him in Tallahassee.
(Continued on other side)
(Side 2)
(Continued from
Click or scan to see this page online
other side)
In 1839, George married Nancy, an enslaved woman. In 1844, one of their sons, John, was born in Tallahassee. During the 1849 Gold Rush, George went to California with several Tallahassee businessmen. Settling in Sonora in 1850, he purchased properties, became a landlord, and worked as a newspaper agent for the San Francisco Elevator. George’s zeal for racial equality was echoed in an editorial he wrote for the paper, stating “Let us be men.” While George was in California, Antonio’s remarkable life ended in Tallahassee at the supposed age of 112 on June 16, 1855. George died in California in 1868. During Reconstruction, John worked as a teacher, election supervisor, and customs superintendent at St. Mark’s port. He served in the Florida Legislature, first as a Representative from 1873-75, and 1879, then as a Senator in 1883 and 1885. When some politicians tried to sell West Florida to Alabama, John was instrumental in resisting the sale. John died in Tallahassee on December 15, 1944, and is buried here. By doing great things during extraordinary times, three generations of Proctor men have earned a place in history.
Erected 2018 by Jacqueline Proctor Erving, Maggie Beth McGrotha, and the Florida Department of State. (Marker Number F-998.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 19, 2019
2. Antonio Proctor, George Proctor, John Proctor Marker-Side 2
Location. 30° 26.572′ N, 84° 17.207′ W. Marker is in Tallahassee, Florida, in Leon County. It is in College Park. Marker can be reached from the intersection of West Park Avenue and North Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located in the Old City Cemetery. Entrance is off North Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 West Park Avenue, Tallahassee FL 32301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. Antonio Proctor, George Proctor, John Proctor Marker and grave
Photographed By Tim Fillmon, June 19, 2019
4. Message from the Proctor Great-Grandchildren
Credits. This page was last revised on February 12, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 20, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,943 times since then and 276 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 20, 2019, by Tim Fillmon of Webster, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.