Christian Peterson
reporter.riverbendnews@gmail.com
Charles Springs is a popular spring in Suwannee County. Residents are attracted to its warm water, long walk to the river, fun tunnels to dive in, and its amenities. However, what many do not know about how the local point of interest got its name. The story starts back in the 1800s.
Ruben and Rebecca Charles were some of the first settlers in North Florida. They arrived as the Spanish occupation of the land was dwindling, and initially, the couple set up a trading post west of Saint Augustine. The business was a success, and the duo began developing friendships with the Native Americans living even further inland. The relationships blossomed and became long-lasting friendships filled with mutual respect. The beginning of the couple's business ventures took place before the United States purchased Florida from Spain in 1821.
With the rise of the United States underway, the U.S. government began building forts in the North Florida area. The government also built a road stretching from Saint Augustine to Pensacola, later to be named Bellamy Road. The Charleses were smart entrepreneurs, quickly establishing a new business location along the road. Then, in 1824, the family built a trading post and ferry near what is now known as Charles Springs. However, increasing hostility between American settlers and the Native Americans was cause for concern for the family. They maintained a good relationship with both sides of the confrontations despite the fact that other people had suffered attacks for the same reason. Sadly, in 1840, Ruben passed away, leaving Rebecca to fend for herself and her family.
However, Rebecca was not a weak woman. She maintained the family’s relationship with the natives and even maintained the ferry and other trading facilities at Charles Springs. She did all of this while raising three children at home. She even grew the Charles family estates. In May of 1852, she acquired two pieces of land totaling 193 acres. However, the life of a settler in a savage land was a very difficult thing. Sadly, in 1852, Rebecca was shot to death on her front porch at 57-years-old as a result of hostility with the local white settlers who were unhappy with her friendship with the natives.
The Charles family’s business continued to be run by Rebecca and Ruben's children and descendants until 1875. Sadly, it was abandoned after that. Rebecca, her husband and some of their children are buried at Charles Cemetery in Western Suwannee County. Some of their gravestones are still visible to this day in one of the oldest cemeteries in Florida. Fittingly for her relationship with the natives, the cemetery is directly adjacent to a Native American burial ground in Luraville.
Rebecca’s gravestone reads as follows:
“In hope, I lie beneath the ground through mingles with the dust, yet when the angels trump shall sound I will rise in Christ, I trust. Thou art laid in the grave, we no longer behold thee, nor tread the rough paths of this world by thy side. But the wide arms of mercy are spread to enfold thee, and sinners may hope since the Saviour hath died.”
