Earlier post on Lafayettes connection to Walton County. Brenda Rees | Shaping Florida Lafayette, Walton County and $348,000 Boat Dock Lafayette and Walton County have deep historical ties reaching back to the American Revolution around 1770s and 1780s to Florida Territorial Days in the 1820s. In December 2013, Lafayette Creek received part of $348,000 for boat dock improvements. Here’s some history to reflect upon if you happen to dock or paddle by Lafayette Creek, Walton County, Florida. You can see a Lafayette Creek sign on Highway 20. Brenda Rees | Shaping Florida Lafayette and George Walton, signer of the Declaration of Independence, were friends during the American Revolution. Edgar Allan Poe’s grandparent’s also gave money to help Lafayette during the American Revolution. Later in 1827, Poe would write a poem for Octavia Walton, granddaughter of George Walton. (This connection -- Original research by Brenda Rees | Shaping Florida) In 1825, Octavia Walton, daughter of George Walton, Jr., namesake of Walton County, Florida, travelled to Mobile, Alabama to have personal meeting with Lafayette who was touring America. Octavia travelled from Pensacola to Mobile. Octavia showed Lafayette a locket picture of George Walton, who had died in 1804. Lafayette spoke kindly of their friendship and remembered Walton’s wife, Dorothy. Octavia’s grandmother, Dorothy Walton, was living with them in Pensacola. Lafayette gave Octavia a snuff box. Lafayette would travel to New Orleans after Mobile. Newspaper clippings of trip available in New Orleans archives. I think of them being lost when watching Benjamin Button and seeing the artifacts wash away at the end. I hope this helps revive and keep history alive. Octavia’s father, George Walton, Jr., came to the Territory of Florida in 1821 as first Secretary of State for West Florida. Walton was Acting Governor after Andrew Jackson left and during the long delay for Duval to arrive. George Walton, Jr. then served as Secretary of State for the Territory of Florida from 1822 - 1826. In 1824, Walton County was named. Perhaps Walton honored Lafayette. Octavia honored the Honorable Henry Clay at the dedication of his New Orleans memorial statue in 1856. Clays statue has been moved to Lafayette Square. Picture of Lafayette from 1857 book in Brenda Rees | Shaping Florida collection. Picture of Madame Octavia Walton Le Vert, portrayed by Brenda Rees, at Walton House in Pensacola, Florida. Dorothys grave in St. Michaels Cemetery, Pensacola, 1832. Picture of Lafayette Square in New Orleans. Story/Photographs (c) Brenda Rees | Shaping Florida All Rights Reserved
Posted on: Tue, 23 Dec 2014 15:05:19 +0000