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Richard Keith Call was the third and fifth territorial governor of Florida, from 1836 to 1839 and from 1841 to 1844. Born in Virginia in 1792, he first came to Florida in 1814 as the personal aide of General Andrew Jackson and returned with him to Pensacola in 1821 to help set up Florida's territorial government. The next year, he started a law practice there. Prior to his first term as territorial governor, Call served in various political capacities, including as Receiver of the West Florida Land Office, member of the Legislative Council of the territory, and Delegate to the U.S. House of Representatives.
During Call's first term as territorial governor of Florida, he was also Brigadier General of the West Florida Militia and led forces against the Seminoles in the Second and Third Battles of Wahoo Swamp during the Second Seminole War. In December 1839, President Martin Van Buren removed Call as governor following a dispute with Federal authorities over their assistance during the war. However, President William Henry Harrison appointed him territorial governor for a second term beginning in 1841. When Florida became a state in 1845, Call ran for governor, but was defeated.
Summary:
The collection contains a typescript copy of Richard Keith Call's reminiscences, which he recorded for his grandson at the behest of his daughter, Ellen Call Long. Call biographer Herbert J. Doherty, Jr., said the journal was "a valuable source for the early years of Call's life, giving information not to be found elsewhere." Doherty stated also that Ellen Call Long finished the journal.
The journal begins with a depiction of Call's early life before coming to Florida. Much of the account deals with his military career during the Creek War and the First and Second Seminole Wars. He details his relationship with General Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Withlacoochee, as well as his leadership role as territorial governor and commander of U.S. troops fighting the Seminoles. Call includes some information on his term as Florida's territorial governor. The journal ends with Call's service in the Second Seminole War.
Finding Aids:
Additional Physical Form:
Reproduction Note:
Location of Originals/Duplicates:
Florida Historical Society 435 Brevard Avenue Cocoa, Florida 32922
Associated Materials:
For more materials related to Richard Keith Call, see M82-1, R.K. Call Correspondence, 1791-1794, 1825-1849 (.25 cubic foot); M92-1, Call and Brevard Family Papers, 1788-1925 (6 cubic feet); and N2013-5: Richard Keith Call Collection, 1819-1862 (123.87 GB). N2013-5 contains scans of the original journal that M82-4 is a typescript of.
Language Notes:
Ownership/Custodial History:
The University of South Florida held the original copy of the journal at the time of transfer in 1984. Ownership transferred to the Florida Historical Society in later years.
Publication Note:
General Note:
Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields:
Call, R.K. 1791-1862 (Richard Keith), Jackson, Andrew, 1767-1845
Florida. Governor (1835-1840 : Call)
Creek War, 1836. Seminole Indians Wars Seminole War, 1st, 1817-1818. Seminole War, 2nd, 1835-1842. Withlacoochee (Fla.), Battle of, 1835.
Reminiscences. aat
Florida History To 1821
for detailed listing.