Near Green Cove Springs in St. Johns County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
William Bartram's Plantation
Photographed By Ray King, June 7, 2011
1. William Bartram's Plantation Marker
Inscription.
William Bartram's Plantation. . In 1766 on the banks of the St. Johns River at Little Florence Cove, William Bartram attempted to farm a 500-acre land grant. Bartram had spent much of the previous year exploring the new British Colony of East Florida with his father, John Bartram, the Royal Botanist for America under King George III. When John Bartram returned home, near Philadelphia, the younger Bartram stayed in Florida. He hoped like many other settlers to make a fortune exporting cash crops such as indigo and rice. Using six enslaved Africans, Bartram cleared the forest and planted, but within a year he abandoned his farm and returned home. Bartram was known in England for illustrating his father's botanical specimens. Between 1773-1777 patrons financed Bartram's further exploration of the American Southeast. In 1791, he published his observations in Travels Through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, one of the most influential travel accounts of the American frontier. Rather than write a mere scientific catalog, Bartram produced a joyful and tender portrait of a virgin land "with an infinite variety of animated scenes, inexpressibly beautiful and pleasing" which inspired the poets of England's Romantic Movement.
A Florida Heritage Site sponsored by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department of State.
In 1766 on the banks of the St. Johns River at Little Florence Cove, William Bartram attempted to farm a 500-acre land grant. Bartram had spent much of the previous year exploring the new British Colony of East Florida with his father, John Bartram, the Royal Botanist for America under King George III. When John Bartram returned home, near Philadelphia, the younger Bartram stayed in Florida. He hoped like many other settlers to make a fortune exporting cash crops such as indigo and rice. Using six enslaved Africans, Bartram cleared the forest and planted, but within a year he abandoned his farm and returned home. Bartram was known in England for illustrating his father's botanical specimens. Between 1773-1777 patrons financed Bartram's further exploration of the American Southeast. In 1791, he published his observations in Travels Through North and South Carolina, Georgia, East and West Florida, one of the most influential travel accounts of the American frontier. Rather than write a mere scientific catalog, Bartram produced a joyful and tender portrait of a virgin land "with an infinite variety of animated scenes, inexpressibly beautiful and pleasing" which inspired the poets of England's Romantic Movement.
A Florida Heritage Site sponsored by the St. Johns County Board of County Commissioners and the Florida Department
Location. 29° 59.423′ N, 81° 36.525′ W. Marker is near Green Cove Springs, Florida, in St. Johns County. Marker is on State Road 16, 0.8 miles west of State Road 13 (State Road 13), on the right when traveling east. Just east of the SR 16 bridge over the St. Johns River near Green Cove Springs. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Saint Augustine FL 32092, United States of America. Touch for directions.
3. William Bartram's Plantation Marker, looking east along Florida State Road 16
Photographed By Mike Stroud, December 2, 2012
4. William Bartram's Plantation Marker, looking west
Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2019. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2011, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. This page has been viewed 1,868 times since then and 111 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on October 24, 2011, by Ray King of Jacksonville, Florida. 3, 4. submitted on December 2, 2012, by Mike Stroud of Bluffton, South Carolina. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
