The Name and History of our Chapter
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It was under the guidance of Jeanette Thurber Conner of New York City, and State Regent Mrs. Theodore Strawn of Deland, Florida, that Mrs. Zelia Sweett formed our Jane Sheldon Chapter in New Smyrna, Florida, on October 29, 1925. Descendants of Jane Murray Sheldon still reside in the community today.
Jane's parents, George Murray and Jane Duval, both of Philadelphia, came to Florida in 1803 and claimed 600 acres of east coast land about 4 miles south of New Smyrna, Florida. Because of Indian hostilities, they returned to Philadelphia where their daughter Jane was born on September 15, 1812.
Daughter Jane and her widowed mother settled in Mandarin, Florida. There, Jane married John Dwight Sheldon of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and returned to New Smyrna in 1835. Throughout the Seminole Indian War, the Sheldons experienced many Indian raids, one of which burned down their family home.
Located in New Smyrna, Jane and John Sheldon built the New Smyrna Hotel upon a coquina foundation, which rests within a large shell midden from the Timucuan Indian era. This 40-room hotel was the largest and grandest of its kind south of St. Augustine, Florida. It was destroyed by the Federal gunboats, the Oleander and the Beauregard, during the Civil War.
After the war, widowed Jane Sheldon built a small structure upon this same coquina foundation that served as a boarding house, pioneer general store, port collector's office, and print shop, which published this area's first newspaper, Florida Star. Many structural problems led to the building's removal circa 1900.
Jane Sheldon passed away June 7, 1903, in New Smyrna, Florida, at the age of 91. She rests with her family at the Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery located in Edgewater, Florida.
Jane Sheldon, The Woman: (Born September 13, 1812, widowed in 1861, died June 7, 1903)
Jane Sheldon and her husband, John, were pioneers of the area. They were the only people to remain in the community, serving throughout the Seminole Indian War. They experienced raids and many other adventures with the Indians. Jane had one son in the Army of Virginia during the War between the States. A second, disabled son, ran the Union blockade in a small boat, securing supplies for the families in the community. Jane Sheldon was the "community doctor." She prepared medicines and wrapped bandages with the help of her daughters. Her home was bombarded three times by Union gunboats and on the last occasion was burned to the ground. She served as New Smyrna's first postmaster and innkeeper. Jane Sheldon completed her mission in life as a true pioneer woman, but as with all historic endeavors, it came with great personal loss.
Jane's parents, George Murray and Jane Duval, both of Philadelphia, came to Florida in 1803 and claimed 600 acres of east coast land about 4 miles south of New Smyrna, Florida. Because of Indian hostilities, they returned to Philadelphia where their daughter Jane was born on September 15, 1812.
Daughter Jane and her widowed mother settled in Mandarin, Florida. There, Jane married John Dwight Sheldon of Greenfield, Massachusetts, and returned to New Smyrna in 1835. Throughout the Seminole Indian War, the Sheldons experienced many Indian raids, one of which burned down their family home.
Located in New Smyrna, Jane and John Sheldon built the New Smyrna Hotel upon a coquina foundation, which rests within a large shell midden from the Timucuan Indian era. This 40-room hotel was the largest and grandest of its kind south of St. Augustine, Florida. It was destroyed by the Federal gunboats, the Oleander and the Beauregard, during the Civil War.
After the war, widowed Jane Sheldon built a small structure upon this same coquina foundation that served as a boarding house, pioneer general store, port collector's office, and print shop, which published this area's first newspaper, Florida Star. Many structural problems led to the building's removal circa 1900.
Jane Sheldon passed away June 7, 1903, in New Smyrna, Florida, at the age of 91. She rests with her family at the Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery located in Edgewater, Florida.
Jane Sheldon, The Woman: (Born September 13, 1812, widowed in 1861, died June 7, 1903)
Jane Sheldon and her husband, John, were pioneers of the area. They were the only people to remain in the community, serving throughout the Seminole Indian War. They experienced raids and many other adventures with the Indians. Jane had one son in the Army of Virginia during the War between the States. A second, disabled son, ran the Union blockade in a small boat, securing supplies for the families in the community. Jane Sheldon was the "community doctor." She prepared medicines and wrapped bandages with the help of her daughters. Her home was bombarded three times by Union gunboats and on the last occasion was burned to the ground. She served as New Smyrna's first postmaster and innkeeper. Jane Sheldon completed her mission in life as a true pioneer woman, but as with all historic endeavors, it came with great personal loss.
As an elderly lady, Jane would tell her story to her children and grandchildren,
but would not recount her Civil War experiences, for they brought her
the greatest sorrows of her life.
but would not recount her Civil War experiences, for they brought her
the greatest sorrows of her life.
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