820. Old Confederate Soldier's Home 1893

Updated: Jan 18, 2023

As stated in Florida Memories, "The Florida Soldiers' Home Association was 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 in which to care for aging Confederate veterans. The home began operating in April 1893 under Chapter 4250 of the Florida Laws of 1893. The stated purpose was "An Act to Aid in the Maintenance and Support of a Home for Disabled and Indigent Ex- Confederate Soldiers and Sailors," and 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. Subsequent legislation in 1909, 1915, and 1919 increased the state appropriation. It would operate for the next 45 years, surviving on its state appropriation and donations from veterans' organizations and the UDC."

"Finally, Chapter 8505, Florida Laws of 1921, dissolved the Old Confederate Soldiers and Sailors Home Association and transferred its assets to the Board of Commissioners of State Institutions. The act authorized the governor to appoint a Board of Managers to administer the Home, consisting of the president of the Florida Division of the UDC, the State Commander of the United Confederate Veterans, the State Commander of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Comptroller of the State of Florida, and an at-large position nominated by the four other board members. It further authorized the expenditure of up to $10,000.00 for repairs and improvements to the Home. In the Home's final years, the UDC played an increasing role in its operation and remained loyal to the residents, leaving nothing undone toward making the soldiers as comfortable as possible. There were sixteen living there at the time and the home remained in operation until 1938, when the last resident 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 to be used for scholarships at the Florida State College for Women and the University of Florida."

In the home were three Pensacolians who fought for the Confederacy in different capacities. James Mason Scarritt (1846-1917) was born in 1846 in Pensacola, Florida, the son of Captain Jeremiah Mason Scarritt (1817-1854 and formerly commander of Ft. Taylor in Key West) and Irene Gregoria Moreno (1825-1906). His mother was the daughter of don Francisco Moreno and Margarita Eleutaria Lopez. James would enlist in Richmond, VA in Company "A" of the 2nd Florida Infantry Regiment under Captain W. D. Ballentine of the Army of Northern Virginia. He fought at Antietam, Chancellorsville, and Brandy Station. He was detached from his regiment in 1864 and assigned to the engineers in Columbus, GA under Major Warner. He was not with his unit when they surrendered, but was in Montgomery for his parole in May 1865. He was never wounded and applied for and received his veteran’s pension of $100.00 per year effective July 6, 1907. Under the law, the maximum was $150.00 but the applicant had to be totally disabled as verified by the signatures of two physicians. In 1912, he reapplied to have his pension increased to the maximum. He was finally accepted by the Old Confederate Home in Jacksonville, Florida and was examined by Dr. Robert May and Dr. Charles L. Jennings who found that he was suffering from the effects of a stroke and old age. The original stroke had occurred prior to 1909 and left him paralyzed on the left side causing him to drag his left leg when he walked. He later became paralyzed in both legs. James never married and lived with his mother until her death. He is buried in the St. Michael's Cemetery in Pensacola.

The second Confederate from Pensacola was John Kelley although his relationship with this city is mostly unverified. He was born on March 6, 1837 in White County, Alabama. He enlisted on July 15, 1862 in Marianna, Florida in Captain McClelland's Company "F" of the 2nd Infantry Regiment where he served until Lee's surrender in April 1865. He was wounded at the battle of Chancellorsville on May 2, 1863 by shrapnel from an exploding artillery shell. He was hit in the right temple, which forever effected his vision. He also received a rupture moving heaving guns at Yorktown, Virginia plus two broken ribs on his left side. Due to his failing health and infirmaries he applied to the Soldier's Home in December 1908 where he is believed to have passed away thereafter.

The third Pensacolian was William Jacob "Jake" Gilmore who was born on March 7, 1830 in Conecuh County, Alabama the son of John William Gilmore (1808-1871) and Temperance "Tempy" Dean (1813-1880) of Conecuh County. He would marry Caroline Finklea (1832-1924) in 1855 in Butler County, Alabama of which six children would result. He would enlist in Pollard, Alabama in Captain R. W. Carter's Company "E" of the 2nd Alabama Cavalry Regiment on September 29, 1862. He was discharged in Montgomery, Alabama on December 11, 1864 due to sickness. His regiment operated in West Florida for about ten months and was engaged in several skirmishes. Ordered to north Mississippi, the regiment operated in the Tennessee Valley and then Okalona before being dispatched to harass Sherman on his march to and from Mississippi. They fought against Sherman's rear all the way to Greensboro, NC however William left the regiment in 1864 due to sickness. Following the war he moved to Florida on January 16, 1884 and resided in Chipley, Washington County. At some time during the war or afterwards he became disabled due to blood poison in his leg from the knee to the ankle making it still and hard to walk.

It is assumed that he and Caroline went their separate ways prior to 1901 as shown by his marriage to Mary Jane Finch (1876-1974) on March 28, 1901 in her hometown of Wausau, Washington County, Florida. The marriage records are also supported by the 1910 Census records showing Mary Jane to be 32 that year and William at age 80. William would apply and was accepted into the Soldier's Home in August 1924 prior to his death on April 16, 1925 in Escambia County, Florida. He was buried in the Concord Cemetery in Mixonville, Conecuh County, Alabama. Mary Jane would follow him in death on August 26, 1974 with her subsequent burial in the Orange Hill Baptist Church Cemetery in Bradford, Florida. As to Caroline her death certificate list her as a widow who died at 90-years old of Bright's Disease in Butler County, Alabama. However, William was still alive at the time of her death so there's is a little confusion here.