What it was Like for Florida Settlers in 1860

In Patrick Smith’s novel, A Land Remembered, settlers come to Florida in 1858. Let’s take a look at what they endured:

Life for settlers in Florida in 1860 was marked by numerous challenges, including oppressive heat, rampant mosquito populations, limited access to fresh water, and a lack of reliable bathing facilities. Did they stink? Yeah, probably.

Florida’s climate was and still is known for its heat and humidity, which could be incredibly oppressive and difficult to endure for settlers. They had to deal with soaring temperatures and high humidity levels, which could cause exhaustion, heatstroke, and dehydration. Many settlers would take refuge in the shade of trees or near bodies of water during the hottest parts of the day to escape the sun’s scorching rays.

Another challenge that settlers in Florida faced was the abundance of mosquitos, which were present year-round and were a constant source of annoyance and disease. Mosquito bites could cause itching, pain, and swelling, and could also transmit serious illnesses such as malaria and yellow fever, which were prevalent in swampy areas. Settlers had to take measures to protect themselves, such as burning smudge pots, using mosquito netting, and applying insect repellent.

Life for settlers in Florida in the mid-1800s was also marked by conflicts with the Seminole Indians. As white settlers continued to encroach on Seminole land, tensions rose, leading to the outbreak of the Second Seminole War in 1835. The war lasted for seven years and resulted in the forced removal of thousands of Seminoles to Indian Territory in Oklahoma.

However, some Seminoles refused to leave and instead retreated into the Florida wilderness, where they continued to resist white settlement. This led to ongoing conflict between Seminole warriors and white settlers, with both sides suffering casualties.

The Seminole Wars had a profound impact on Florida’s history, and the conflict between settlers and Seminoles continued well into the late 1800s. The settlers had to be constantly vigilant, as attacks from Seminole warriors were a real threat.

Access to fresh water was also a significant challenge for settlers in Florida. The state’s sandy soil made it difficult to find reliable sources of drinking water, and many settlers had to rely on rainwater or wells to meet their needs. In addition, the water quality was often poor, leading to the spread of waterborne illnesses such as dysentery and cholera.

The lack of reliable bathing facilities was another challenge that settlers faced. Without access to indoor plumbing or running water, settlers had to bathe in natural bodies of water such as streams or lakes, or in makeshift outdoor tubs. Bathing in natural bodies of water was risky, as they were often infested with alligators or snakes, and posed a risk of drowning. Did they stink? Yeah, they probably did much of the time.

Despite these challenges, settlers in Florida found ways to adapt and thrive. They built homesteads, cleared land for farming, and established communities. They also developed creative solutions to overcome the difficulties they faced, such as using rain barrels to collect water, building screened-in porches to keep out mosquitos, and constructing outdoor bathing facilities.

Life for settlers in Florida in the mid 1800s was a constant struggle against the natural environment. They had to contend with oppressive heat, mosquito populations, limited access to fresh water, and a lack of reliable bathing facilities. Despite these challenges, they were able to build a life in the state, relying on their own resourcefulness and perseverance to survive and thrive.

You can get a copy of A Land Remembered here.