Historic references to the plantation house on Fort George Island are tantalizingly brief. The first detailed descriptions of the house and structural changes were recorded in the 20th century. From this vantage point, you can see the changes that Gertrude Rollins Wilson, born here in 1872, recounted in her memoirs.
"[In 1869] Mr. Rollins made certain changes; adding two rooms to the Big House by connecting the corner rooms on the east and west, removing the chimney on the west and also several other chimneys erroneously believing that the mild winter of that year was typical of all Florida winters...The latticed walk between the two houses was built.
...[In 1886] The central room in the main house was divided as at present and the stairs were moved inside, the walnut doors were substituted for the large folding doors in the hall..."
Gertrude Rollins Wilson, 1955
Notes Concerning the Old Plantation on Fort George Island
"The house at the North end will be in the course of a month a very comfortable habitation, and in any other country a handsome situation, you will come and see it shortly I suppose, there are a great number of Fruit Trees of different kinds planted out..."
John McQueen (Junior) to Eliza Anne McQueen
Letter, 11 March 1798, from Fort George Island
"On the Fort George Island plantation, the invaders [during the Patriots' Rebellion, 1812-13] burnt every building except the dwelling house, and they stripped the dwelling house to the extent of taking all of the locks from the doors."
From the East Florida Claims, case of John H. McIntosh
"...passing in our route the fortified private plantation of Mr. Kingsley at Fort George, a very eligible position..."
John Miller, Narrative of a Voyage to the Spanish Main, 1819
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