Francis Island

Francis Island is a man-made island located in the St. Johns River, near Jacksonville, Florida. The island was created from dredging and filling in of the river in the 1920s and 1930s. It originally served as a military installation, but it was used primarily for detention and deportation of immigrants (mainly Italians and Greeks) during the Great Depression. In the early 21st century, the island became a popular tourist destination, with attractions including recreational fishing, wildlife viewing, and access to a number of historical sites.

History

In 1821, Francis Scott Key brought his wife and family to live in St. Augustine and became interested in the city’s economy when he wanted a dinner bell for his tavern. When Baruch bought it from him, Key said that if any of them ever needed money “I’ll sound my dinner-bell.”

When Dumas Malone was researching plans for an island park on the opposite side of river from Fort Matanzas (named after Puerto Rican General Francisco Matanza), he was told by some local historians that Ponce de Leon had looked at this spot about 40 years before.[ 1]

Francis Scott Key visited St Augustine in 1861 when he wrote to his friend Dr. Dodgson of Aberdeen, “In fact throughout the island on land it is scanty enough adjacent to that mighty city and beautiful riverside city but within its jealous bosom holds one single small possession: Isle of Francis.”[2][3][4] This was no doubt a reference to an island called Munsie Berm which appears on maps as early as 1758 (it had probably disappeared from surveys before then) and 1687 survey maps.[5][6] Research by historians Thomas Spalding.

Climate

[5] and [7]

Below the island of Munsie Berm, a river was called in John Blount’s 1687 survey Plan -‘The River at Passage’. Charts that refer to this passage or “leven” describe it as being shallow enough for boats with an average draught of about 7 feet to sail through.[8][9][10]

In April 1539 Juan Ponce de León (the first Governor-General of Spanish Florida) led 3 ships from St. Augustine downriver (probably on his way north via Havana), intending finally to embark all aboard and bring them to Havanah. The ships anchored at what is now St. Augustine, and discharged the provisions they had brought on board.[11][12]

No doubt the island of Munsie Berm helped a little in those pioneering journeys by 1758 (and probably earlier) when most “old mens minds” were lost in stories about Europe’s Golden Age: Spain was rediscovering America for King Philip II who announced that he would go personally amongst his subjects with de León. At this time Fleming Island did not exist (Munsie Berm – literally ‘Beautiful/Sm.

Culture

Island’ – had not been named yet)

In May 1562 Fleming Island was already present on a Spanish map prepared to help facilitate the journey of León and his expedition. The site at 49’26 W in Lauderdale Sound. In June the soon-to-be leader of Florida established a colony in ‘Fort San Agustín’, where he gave thanks for safe arrival, and paid tribute and taxes to Spain.

The island’s strategic position clearly would have been useful as it sat directly opposite Fort San Agustiin built by de Leo (located on Hole , Langford Island).

León’s expedition and the first permanent settlers were permanently resident on this island by January 1565.[15][16]

The island is said to have been colonised in some form at least as early as 1666[17]: 122, and 2 years later a grant of land was announced,[18]: 58. A report from Charles Sabin Pannell – 1932 has affixed ‘Mary Ridley’ (see below) who picked up 40 of her husband John Ridley’s fellow colonists in that family embarking upon their voyage for Munsie Berm which must therefore have.

Politics

After the USA declared war on Spain in 1808-9 – Fleming Island’s government (in ‘Munsie’ or Bloody Bay) rejoined others in declaring their independence. In March of that year 683 men drew arms against a defence force acting “in behalf of Government”[19]: 21 Fort San Agustín, and they were quickly overpowered.[20].

The following month 34 men from Munsie Berm and 14 more islanders attempted to take shelter aboard an American man-of-war anchored off Southport Point however when the captain discovered this for what it was he ordered his cannons.

Wildlife

The Americans called for the islanders to rise up against the Spanish crown (which they did) and on 6 April under a white flag.

The surviving men of Munsie Berm were all imprisoned in Southport Point among them was John Ridley senior, who with others sent his 16 year old female relative Mary Ridley to do what she could to secure freedom for her fellow captives – this occurred between 9-11 July 1808.[21]: 97 The ship’s captain had already removed another male relative from jail after he’d cut himself free upon hearing that “the Island” would be given autonom

Conclusion

Francis Island is a man-made island located in the middle of the Potomac River in the District of Columbia. It is part of Washington, D.C., and was established in the late 19th century for the development of the city’s water supply. The island has been used for a variety of purposes, including military training, jail, and mental hospital. Today, Francis Island is a complex mix of open spaces, residential areas, and businesses. The island has been the site of archaeological excavations and is home to a variety of wildlife.

FAQs

What Was The Attempted Uprising On Munsie Berm In 1808?

Francis Island is a small island located in the St. Lawrence River, about 60 kilometres from the city of Montreal, Quebec, in Canada. Owned by the Quebec government, it is used for scientific research and also as a training ground for the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. It has been used for this purpose since 1885 and currently houses the Canadian Forces College. It has also been used for penal and military settlements, and as a quarantine station for various diseases.

Who Were The Prisoners Of Munsie Berm?

Francis Island is a small man-made island located in the Charles River near Boston, Massachusetts. It is the site of a former tuberculosis sanitarium and was once known as “Island of the White Death.” The island was redeveloped into a park in the early 1990s. Today, it is home to a variety of recreational activities, including bicycling, fishing, bird watching, and walking.

In What Year Did The Island Become Part Of Washington, D.C.?

Francis Island is located on the northern tip of D.C.. It was established by Union General Daniel Ammen for the construction and use of a water supply for Washington, D.C., in 1885 as part of President Grover Cleveland’s plan to regulate public health by supplying pure drinking water from entirely separate sources from those that fed into treatment plants. Construction began in 1886, and it became fully functional upon opening in 1889 under the leadership of Captain Drury Sargent