By Danny Federico
Riverbend News
On Friday, May 28, The Florida State Genealogical Society honored Pat Hines Mitchell and her family for providing satisfactory evidence that her ancestor, Christmas Hemming, was a resident of Florida before it became a state on March 3, 1845. The dedication was held at 11 a.m. in the Suwannee County Historical Museum, located at 208 N Ohio Ave., in Live Oak.
"Christmas Hemming is a first time pioneer in our program. He was born about 1831 and is thought, by the family, to have been born on the DuPont plantation in Duval County, although it has not yet been proven," Patricia Rand, chairman of the Florida Pioneer Descendant Program said.
Hemming then married his wife, Jane, around 1860. Jane, however, does not qualify as a pioneer, Rand said, because her maiden name can't be proven. In 1885, Hemming purchased 640 acres of land in Suwannee County, part of which is still in the family's possession today.
On Friday, Mitchell was presented two certificates: a Florida Pioneer Descendent State Certificate and a Settlers and Builders of Florida Descendant Certificate. While the Florida Pioneer Descendent State Certificate recognizes an individual's ancestor's residency before Florida became a state, The Settlers and Builders of Florida Descendant Certificate recognizes individuals who have established their ancestors settled in Florida between the time it became a state in 1845 and Dec. 31, 1900.
"This was a period of rapid settlement and growth in Florida. It was very important for our state's development," Rand said. "To the best of our knowledge, we believe that Christmas is the first black and former slave to be in the program."
After having her Florida State Genealogical Society pin placed on her jacket by Rand, Mitchell provided a brief speech, thanking everyone who came out to share the special recognition.
"The oral history of my great-great-great-grandfather started out as just that, oral history," Mitchell said. "Then, when I began to do the research, I found that oral history was true and time after time after time, we found evidence after evidence that he was who he said he was."
Mitchell is also the author of Christmas in the South: A Proud Southern Heritage, which tells the story of her great-great-great-grandfather and his ancestors. Christmas in the South: A Proud Southern Heritage can be purchased on Amazon.