Fifth Generation

9. Capt. John Charles RICHARD (John Charles-4, Louis Joseph Francis-3, John Louis-2, Louis-1) was born on 18 Jan 1827 in Glynn Co., Georgia. He died on 25 Feb 1905 . He was buried in Crosby Lake Cemetery , Starke , Florida .

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The following excerpt is from the article

"Starke, Florida Was Wilderness Before Railroad Arrived"
Bradford County Telegraph, 100th Anniversary, July 26, 1979

What was Starke like before the railroad reached here in January 1858? Not much, according to a writer in the May 7, 1887 issue of The Telegraph, who described it thus: "...at that time this was a wilderness, a vast and unbroken pine forest where the deer, bear, wildcat, and the stealthy panther roamed at their own free will. There was not a single house worthy of the name in what is now the corporate limits, only a few little shanties occupied by railroad hands."

Soon after that, the first general merchandise store was established here by John Charles Richard (pronounced Reshard), a native of Georgia who had been in the lumber and cross-tie business at Middleburg and later ran a mercantile establishment on Bay Street in Jacksonville . He foresaw Starke as a good location because of the new railroad, and a short time later was joined by George E. Pace, another Jacksonville businessman, in forming the partnership of Richard & Pace on Call Street , Starke's leading store during its early years.

In the three years between arrival of the railroad in 1858 and the outbreak of the Civil War, the little crossroads settlement took on new life. Heretofore there had been no connection with the outside world. Supplies were brought down by boat from Jacksonville to Middleburg, and then relayed to Starke by mule or ox team over sandy wagon trails. Farmers likewise hauled their cotton, timber, or naval stores to Middleburg for shipment up the St. Johns River to Jacksonville .

But the new railroad changed all that. Merchants would now receive supplies direct by rail from Jacksonville . Cotton gins soon began operating here, and farmers no longer had to make the long, arduous trip to and from Middleburg. Drummers (as salesmen were called in those days) found Starke a convenient midway stop between Fernandina and Cedar Key, and the "depot," located then just south ofRichard & Pace store at the railroad crossing on the south side of Call Street, became the busy hub of the town.

With the outbreak of the Civil War John Charles raised a company of volunteers, of which hew was elected captain, and offered their services on behalf on the Confederate cause.They were accepted and the command was ordered to Fernandina to be mustered in, becoming Company B of the First Florida Battalion. Subsequently, this command saw much arduous service in the campaigns of Virginia . In the battle near Petersburg , Captain Richard was severly wounded in his right arm by the blowing up of a mine, which disabled him for some time. The major of the regiment having been detailed for light service on account of age, Captain Richard had been highly recommended to succeed him in that rank. But, owing to failure to recognize, the end of the war came without the captain receiving his well-earned star as major. He fought on to the last with the remnants of his command and was with General Lee on that sad day at Appomattox . After the surrender, Capt. Richard engaged in the cross tie and mill business at Lake Butler . In 1865 he was elected delegate to the Constitutional Convention which earned the distinction of transacting all its business in thirteen days. In 1876 he was also elected to the State Senate fron the 15th Senatorial district. He was elected to the Constitutional Convention that met in 1885, and in 1887 he was elected to the House of Representatives of the State legislature.

An interesting story is told that while at home on furlough, perhaps after his injury, a Union informer notified Federal forces that Capt. Richard was at Starke and, as a detachment of soldiers rode up to the front gate of his home, he jumped over the back fence and ran to Alligator Creek which bordered a portion of his pasture, following the creek to the trestle, south of town, where he hid and was supplied with food and other necessities by his wife, who was ill at the time. No major encounters took place here during the war, but the Starke area was visited by raiding parties on one or more occasions, seeking to disrupt the railroad which formed an important supply line for Confederate forces farther North.

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Below is a letter from John Charles to his wife:

Olustee Station, February 21, 1864

Dear Wife,

The enemy came in force yesterday and we met them one and one hlf miles of this place. Their force was much larger than ours, but we whipt them badly. Our Battalion distinguished itself and was complimented on the report filed by the commanding general. The fight lasted about or near four hours, and night put a stop to our pursuit. Our loss is about fifty killed, and among some good officers. Wounded about 300. We have killed and taken about one thousand Yanks, white and negro. We captured also 6 pieces of artillery and would, without doubt have captured the most of the enemy if we had had two hours more daylight. None of my company were killed or mortally wounded. Tom Durden severly wounded in foot. Perry Dees the same. Calvin Dees slightly in arm, Chestnutt slightly and several others slightly. I, as well as Job, Harney and Jasper were not touched. I feel very thankful that we suffered so little. Some of the boys have Yankee overcoats, caps, canteens etc. Some good blankets. Many little things take, this paper and envelopes among them. I write but fear you will not get it. Love to all. Do write often.

Love,

John

Marriage certificate Josef Luis Richard and Maria del Rosario Ferreira.

Ibid.

The Starke Telegraph , Sept. 3, 1887

(EDITORIAL)

THE SHOOTING OF HON. J.C. RICHARD

We can recall no event occuring in this section of the State which caused a more wide spread feeling of regret than the recent shooting of Capt. Richard. The Captain is well known throughout the borders of the State and has a host of friends everywhere who love and admire him for the many excellent qualities of his generous nature. To attest his great personal popularity at home, we may say that from the moment he was wounded until it was definitely known that he was entirely out or danger, his home was crowded day and night with anxious friends.

Capt. Richard has been fully identified with the political history of Florida , his native state, for the past 30 or 40 years, having served in two State Constitutional Conventions and several terms in both branches of the Legislature. He also enjoys the reputation of a vigilant and brave military commander, having served throughout the entire war between the States, with distinction to himself and command, and honor to his section.

His name was favorably mentioned for Congress last year and his numerous friends in all sections of the State are now looking forward to his political promotion at no distant day. The shooting of such a man as Capt. Richard was well calculated to excite a feeling or deep interest in his behalf in all sections of the country. Messages of warm sympathy have poured in upon him from all sections of the State and from many other quarters. Among the great number of friend who hastened to give expression to their warm sympathy and deep regrets by telegraph and letter, we may mention the following from abroad: R. C. Herberger, Washington, D. C., John F. Jackson, N. Y., J. E. Low, Green Cove, Gen. Edward Hopkins, Mrs. Dr. Murphy, Dr. J. N. Jones, Hon. T. A. MacDonald; Jacksonville, Dr. J. G. Hopkins, Thomasville, Ga.; F. W. Simmons, Fernandina, G. P. Webb. Gainesville ; Dr. C. A. Simmons, Hawthorne, Dr. James Chase, Bronson, and many others.

In concluding this brief notice of the Captain and his unexpected affliction, we are pleased to state that he will be able to be out and mingle with his friends again, and that he has borne with true spartan heroism his severe suffering.

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The Bradford County Telegraph , September 30, 1982

CAPTAIN RICHARD PLAYED COLORFUL ROLE IN EARLY DAYS OF STARKE

Captain John C. Richard was born on a farm near Brunswick , in Glynn County , Ga. in January, 1827. He was descended from an "old and noble" Italian family. His grandfather, Don Luis Joseph Francis Richard, of Florence , Italy , when a high-spirited and ambitious youth, became involved in a "difficulty" with another young Italian, and a duel was fought with swords. Don Luis' adversary was killed in the duel and, as a result, the Richard (pronounced re-SHARD) had to leave his native country hurriedly to avoid prosecution.

Don Luis joined a party of Italians who were bound for Bordeaux , France , where he remained for a while and married, leaving later for San Domingo, where he operated a coffee plantation and owned numerous slaves. Just before the insurrection of the Negroes, which caused such havoc on the island, Richard decided to leave America . He managed to make way to Charleston , S.C. with slaves.

Several years later he and his family moved to St. Johns County in Florida , where they reared their four children. One of the sons, John Charles (the father of Capt. J. C. Richard) settled in Glynn County , Georgia where he married Malinda Tison and became a prosperous farmer. He also entered public life, serving as clerk of the Circuit Court there for 20 years.

Capt. Richard left Georgia as a young man, coming to Middleburg in Clay County , where he farmed and later became a successful merchant. In 1855 he was married to Mary Morgan, daughter of Solomon and Belinda Buddington Morgan, who came to Florida in 1825. This family traces its ancestry back to James Morgan who came to this country from Bristol England in 1607, settling in Boston .

Shortly alter his marriage, Capt. Richard and his bride moved to Jacksonville where he opened a mercantile business on Bay Street and was later joined by George E. Pace...

After the Civil War ended, Capt. Richard engaged in the cross tie and mill business at Lake Butler , which was then in Bradford County . In 1876 he was elected as a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention which earned the distinction of transacting all of its business in 13 dags. In 1876 he was elected to the State Senate from the 15th Senatorial district serving in the upper house at the same time that Dr. Gaskins was in the House of Representatives.

Capt, Richard was also elected as a delegate to the Constitutional Convention of 1885, which is credited with writing the document that is still the basic structure of Florida government. In 1885, Capt. Richard was elected to the House of Representatives, and Dr. Gaskins was elected to the Senate, reversing the positions they had previously held.

In her history of St. Mark's Episcopal Church, Sandra Poynter Sanders says the first Episcopalian services in Starke were held in a cotton gin at Madison and Thompson Streets when Capt. Richard donated his half interest in the building to St. Mark's after his partner's interest had been purchased by the Missionary. This building was later moved to property on Church Street which had also been donated by Capt. Richard in 1892. Capt. Richard was also one of the incorporators of the first public school in Starke under Statutes, 1883, Chapter 3509. No. 97. An act to incorporate an instituiion of Learning at Starke. Bradford County , Fla. under the name of Starke Institute.

There are many interesting anecdotes concerning Capt. Richard which indicate that he was a true grandson of his Italian ancestor, Don Luis. and that some of the same high-spirited blood that flowed during the long-ago duel still ran in his veins. One of these incidents, which made him somewhat of a legend in his own time, almost cost him his life. according to a story in the August 27, 1887 issue of The Telegraph, headlined "A Terrible Shooting Affair." This and other incidents in the life of this public-spirited and high spirited man will be published later.

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The Starke Telegraph , Aug, 27, 1887

A TERRIBLE SHOOTING AFFAIR
Capt, J.C. Richard Shot in The Head By George C. Miller

On Sunday Morning--An Old Feud-- Miller Sent To Jacksonville To Jail

On Sunday morning last, Captan J.C. Richard, of this place, while talking in front or his house, was shot and badly wounded by Mr. Geo. C. Miller, of this place. Miller shot 4 times, but only one ball took effect, and that struck Richard in the head just above the nose and between the eyes, shattering the skull bone and lodging on one side of the face over the cheek bone. The ball a 38-calibre, is not yet extracted. Richard fired one shot, it is said, after he was struck.

It seems that there has been a very unfriendly feeling existing between them for some time, owing to family affairs. Miller at once gave himself up to Deputy Sheriff Underhill , when he waived an examination and was conducted to Jacksonville for safekeeping by Deputy Underhill and R.M. Alvarez.

Miller's statement to the Jacksonville papers is a decidedly one-sided one and Captain Richard is yet too feeble to reply the true cause, and the blame cannot be located at this early date. It is rumored on the street that Richard requested that no harm be done Miller. The trial will probably come on at the fall term of court.

Captain Richard is a man of about 63 years, He has a large family of grown up children. He is a senior member of the firm of Richard & Pace; He was a member of the Constitutional Convention (of 1865 and 1885 )and has held several high offices of trust.

Mr. Miller is about 38 years old and has been in Starke most of the time the past 7 years. He was in the drug business here several years with Powell under the firm name of Powell & Miller. He has but lately returned from California where he spent a year. Since his return he has been doing odd jobs about town, and working his father's little orange grove just outside of town.

Richard Family Tree