CHAPTER XVIII.
FLORIDA
Toney Proctor, A Veteran One Hundred
and Twelve Years Old.
pp. 307-309
TONEY
PROCTOR, a free man of color, died in Tallahassee,
at the residence of H. L. Rutgers, Esq., on the
15th of June, 1855, in the 112th year of his age.
The Tallahassee Sentinel thus notices the death
of this remarkable man: -
" 'UNCLE TONEY, ' as he was familiarly called,
must have been, at the time of his death, at least one
hundred and twelve years old, and the probabilities are
that he was several years older. It is known, as a
historical fact, that he was at the battle of Quebec, on
the 13th of September, 1759, some ninety-six years ago.
His recollection of that event was clear and distinct.
He was there in the capacity of a body servant to an
English officer, and was sixteen years of age or more at
the time of sailing, in company with the English
sailors, from the Island of Jamaica, to return no more
to the place of his nativity. He was subsequently
engaged in the same capacity, though under a different
officer, during the early period of the Revolutionary
War between this and the mother country. He was in
the vicinity of Boston at the time the tea was thrown
overboard, and afterwards at the battle of Lexington.
He came to Florida long before
[Page 308]
the change of flags, and settled in St. Augustine, where
he purchased his freedom, married, and reared a large
family. During his long residence in the 'Ancient
City,' where he experienced many reverses - living
through a period much longer than is allotted to an
ordinary life-time - his conduct was such as to command
the esteem and respect of its inhabitants, as well under
the administration of the United States as the dominion
of Spain.
"At the change of flags, he considered himself an
American citizen, and remained in St Augustine, true to
his allegiance, during the campaigns and military regime
of General Jackson; and subsequently rendered
himself very useful to General Harney and others,
as an Indian interpreter in the late Seminole war.
"Coming out of that protracted and disastrous war
reduced in circumstances, with nothing to rely upon for
support except a claim upon the Government for service
rendered, but little of which was ever recognised and
paid, he came, some ten years or more ago, to
Tallahassee, to live with his son George.
"In 1849, George went a gold-hunting, with
the intention, if successful, of returning in a few
years, at the furthest, and relieving himself of his
embarrassments. In the mean time, his family, as
well as 'Uncle Toney,' were left in charge of
Mr. Rutgers.
"The circumstances
attending his death were very remarkable. He died
of no disease. His health continued good and his
spirits cheerful down to within a day or so of his
[Page 309]
death. The first evidence of decay was that of
sight; time, in other respects, working but little
change in his appearance. Death seemed to come
over him like falling into a gentle sleep. The
vital spark, like the socket of a candle, literally
burned out.
"UNCLE TONEY was much beloved by his own people.
He was a zealous member of the Baptist Church. His
funeral was one of the largest processions we remember
to have seen."
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