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Francis P. Fleming served as Florida's governor from 1889 to 1893. After his term as governor, he served on the board of trustees of the new Florida Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home, the records of which form the bulk of this series.
The Florida Soldiers' Home Association formed in 1888 with Albert J. Russell, the state superintendent of public instruction and a Confederate veteran, serving as the organization's president. Four years later, the organization purchased ten acres of the Whitney homestead near Jacksonville on which to care for aging Confederate veterans. The Florida Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home began operating in April 1893. In addition to President Russell, ex-Governor Fleming, William Baya, David E. Maxwell, and Walter R. Moore served as trustees.
In 1893, the Florida Legislature authorized the state to pay to the Home $100.00 annually for each inmate (excluding those already receiving a Florida pension), not to exceed $2,500.00 per year (Chapter 4250, Laws of Florida). Subsequent legislation in 1909, 1915, and 1919 increased the state appropriation. In 1921, the Florida Legislature dissolved the Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home Association and transferred its assets to the Board of Commissioners of State Institutions (Ch. 8505, Laws). The act authorized the governor to appoint a Board of Managers to administer the Home and authorized the expenditure of up to $10,000.00 for repairs and improvements to the Home.
The Home operated for 45 years, surviving on its state appropriation and donations from veterans' organizations and the United Daughters of the Confederacy. It remained in operation until 1938 when the last inmate died. The property was then sold, and the state commander of the United Confederate Veterans transferred funds to the state for the establishment of an endowment fund for scholarships at the Florida State College for Women and the University of Florida.
Summary:
This collection consists of microfilmed copies of papers compiled by Francis P. Fleming concerning his interest in and activities relating to Florida Confederate Veterans. The bulk of the collection comprises administrative records relating to the operation of the Florida Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home, of which Fleming served for a time as president of the Board of Directors. These records include applications for admission, correspondence, financial records, reports, and records relating to ownership and furnishing of the home.
The collection also documents Fleming's involvement with other Confederate veterans' organizations and activities, including his service as Florida Division Commander of the United Confederate Veterans and on the State Board of Pensions; his activities relating to the United Confederate Veterans, United Daughters of the Confederacy, and Sons of Confederate Veterans; and his efforts in obtaining Florida pensions for Confederate veterans and their widows.
Finding Aids:
Folder listing available. 0
Additional Physical Form:
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Location of Originals/Duplicates:
Originals held by Jacksonville Public Libraries, Genealogy Department, 122 N. Ocean Street, Jacksonville, FL 32202-3374.
Associated Materials:
For more records related to Francis P. Fleming, see Series S580, Governor Fleming Correspondence, 1889-1893 (10.5 cubic feet) and Collection N2017-28, Francis P. Fleming and Charles Seton Papers, 1823, 1891 (1 folder).
Language Notes:
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Electronic Records Access:
Subject Access Fields:
Fleming, Francis P. 1841-1908 (Francis Philip),
Florida. Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home United Confederate Veterans. United Daughters of the Confederacy. Sons of Confederate Veterans (Organization) Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home.
Confederate pensions. Military pensions. Veterans Florida.
Financial records. aat Reports. aat
United States History --Veterans Civil War, 1861-1865 Florida
Added Entries
Florida. Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home
for detailed listing.