THE SETTLING OF SARASOTA (5th in a series)

After the Civil War was over and the shock of Abraham Lincoln's Assassination (April 14, 1865) passed, the Whitaker's fortunes improved, the cattle herds increased and Mary Jane and William Whitaker sent to Ohio to obtain Miss Harper, a tutor for their children.

In February 1867, John (inset) and Eliza Webb left their home in Utica, N.Y. to build a new life in Florida. Eliza had asthma, and her doctor suggested that the warm climate would be beneficial health-wise.

The Webb's had heard about the Sarasota area from a Federal soldier who had been in the area during the Civil War, and who spoke of the warm weather, beautiful vegetation and abundance of fish and game. He said nothing about mosquitoes, alligators, or snakes.

They set sail from New York City with their five children, Jack, Will, Ann, Lizzie, and Ginny, plus Mrs. Webb's sister Emily Graves, and her father Deacon Graves Sixteen days later they arrived in Key West, and were very glad to set foot on land.

While in Key West, they learned of a location near Sarasota Bay that seemed to be a good home site, described to them by a Cuban fisherman who was familiar with the area. He told them that it was near an Indian burial mound, had fresh water springs and was high enough to be safe from flooding. The area is now called Spanish Point.

The entire Webb family group traveled from Key West to Manatee where they bought a sloop and investigated the area south of Manatee. They met Bill Whitaker who was familiar with all parts of the area; he recognized the description of Spanish Point, and helped the Webbs find it. They claimed their land under the Homestead Act of 1862 (September 10).
The Webbs built a log house 50 feet long, large enough to house the entire family.

The roof was made of thatched Palmetto. Lumber was being milled in Manatee and the family purchased some of these boards to construct an interior room. The women and children slept inside the room and the men in the outer area.

They cleared land and planted sugar cane, peas, corn, squash, and sweet potatoes. The deer and wild turkeys invaded the growing crops. Keeping these animals from destroying the crops kept the family in venison and turkey meat.

As the sugar cane crop ripened, John Webb opened a manufacturing plant to refine sugar and produce syrup.

He also built the first 'winter resort' that had individual guest cottages. It was
advertised in northern newspapers as Webb's Winter Resort on Little Sarasota Bay, a
special Paradise. Tourists began to arrive by the dozens.

A small community grew up in Webb's neighborhood and in 1884 he applied for a post office. The community was named Osprey in accord with his wishes.

Guidebooks were being published which told of the 'idyllic' destination. In addition to a place to vacation, people who were seeking opportunity in farming and agriculture came as did those interested in hunting and fishing.

The Webbs made many contributions to the community known as Sarasota and are one of the most influential families of the early pioneer homestead era. For forty years, the family farmed more than 10 acres. They shipped vegetables, citrus, and sugar to markets in Key West and Cedar Key.

On site at Spanish Point is a pioneer cemetery where members of the Webb family are buried.

(To Be Continued)..

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