Sarasota in Sarasota County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)
Judah Philip Benjamin
With invasion of the Confederate capitol by Union forces imminent, President Davis and his cabinet fled south from Richmond, Virginia on April 2, 1865. When they reached Charlotte, North Carolina, news arrived of the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln on April 14. In north Georgia, Davis, Benjamin and other cabinet members, parted company.
Sometime in May, Captain Leroy Lesley and Captain James McKay successfully secreted Benjamin first to Lesley's home in Brooksville, Florida, then later to McKay's home in Tampa.
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Under the cover of a violent storm, Lesley's son and McKay took the disguised Benjamin to the Gamble Mansion in Ellenton. At the mansion was Hiram McLeod who knew local waters as well as the wagon trails in the area.
When a federal landing force suddenly appeared on the approach to the mansion, Benjamin was spirited away to the Manatee River home of Captain Frederick Tresca and his family for about a month. There, Tresca's wife Louise sewed pleats into Benjamin's vest and waistband to conceal gold coins.
After Benjamin, Tresca and others formulated a plan, Ezekial Glazier drove a two-wheeled spring wagon from the Tresca home to the William Whitaker home in Sarasota. Hidden in the wagon under a load of freshly butchered beef covered over with palmetto leaves was the Confederate Secretary of State. In Sarasota, Tresca and Hiram McLeod took Benjamin aboard their sixteen-foot open sloop and quietly slipped out of Whitaker Bayou on June 23, 1865. They deposited Benjamin in Bimini on Monday, July 10. Benjamin eventually reached England where he established a new legal career and lived until his death in 1884.
Erected 1999 by Sarasota County Historical Commission.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical month for this entry is April 1903.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 27° 20.671′ N, 82° 32.831′ W. Marker was in Sarasota, Florida, in Sarasota County. Marker was at the intersection of North Tamiami Trail (U.S. 41) and 10th Street, on the left when traveling north on North Tamiami Trail. The marker was located at a pull off area close to the Sarasota County Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 701 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota FL 34236, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Municipal Auditorium Recreation Center and Hazzard Fountain (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Sarasota Garden Club (approx. 0.2 miles away); Yellow Bluffs (approx. ¼ mile away); A Resting Place of Pioneer Families and Hidden Histories (approx. 0.3 miles away); Rosemary Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Bidwell-Wood House (approx. 0.3 miles away); Whitaker Cemetery (approx. 0.3 miles away); Crocker Memorial Church (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Sarasota.
Also see . . .
1. Judah P. Benjamin. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on October 7, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. "Sarasota Confederate monument abruptly removed". Sarasota Herald Tribune entry. (Submitted on July 6, 2020, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 6, 2021. It was originally submitted on May 19, 2013, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. This page has been viewed 913 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 19, 2013, by Ronald J. Baumgarten, Jr. of McLean, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.