The Long Family of Pat's Island were instrumental in the Movie the Yearling and the character Jody and her yearling played.
Today, the Ocala Forestry still maintains the property on Pat's Island with the Yearling Trail from Hwy. 19, outside Astor.
Today, the Ocala Forestry still maintains the property on Pat's Island with the Yearling Trail from Hwy. 19, outside Astor.
The Yearling Trail at Pat's Island
This is an Original Photo of the "Yearling" subject at Pat's Island. "Flag"
an Original Signed book of the Yearling gifted to Barney Dillard. View of the Book is at the Pioneer Village, Barberville, Fl
Coming to the Big Scrub
On March 27, 1854, life began to change for the Longs. Their New baby, Alonzo, took more of Sarah Jane's time so Reuben felt he had to work even harder.
Reuben and Sarah Jane began to hear stories from relatives in Florida. In 1848 , fourteen families formed a wagon train ad left Pireway , NC for Florida. Many of these families were related to
Reuben Long. All were related to someone om the train.
Florida became a state in 1845. An abundance of farm land waited to be claimed.
In 1842 ended hostilities in Florida with the Indians. August 4 of that year, 200,000 acres outside the already developed regions of Florida were opened. The land lay south of Gainesville, Fl as far as the Peace River, banning coastal lands and those within two miles of the fort. Any head of family or single man over eighteen years of age to bear arms could earn 160 acres. Homesteaders were required to erect a habitable welling, cultivate a least five acres of land, and live om the land for five years.
In 1848 a group of families left Horry County, SC, for Florida and settled east of the Oklawaha River. Reverend Gabriel W. Long and his wife, Elizabeth Ann Gore and their children comprised part of the second group.
Reuben and Sarah Jane began to hear stories from relatives in Florida. In 1848 , fourteen families formed a wagon train ad left Pireway , NC for Florida. Many of these families were related to
Reuben Long. All were related to someone om the train.
Florida became a state in 1845. An abundance of farm land waited to be claimed.
In 1842 ended hostilities in Florida with the Indians. August 4 of that year, 200,000 acres outside the already developed regions of Florida were opened. The land lay south of Gainesville, Fl as far as the Peace River, banning coastal lands and those within two miles of the fort. Any head of family or single man over eighteen years of age to bear arms could earn 160 acres. Homesteaders were required to erect a habitable welling, cultivate a least five acres of land, and live om the land for five years.
In 1848 a group of families left Horry County, SC, for Florida and settled east of the Oklawaha River. Reverend Gabriel W. Long and his wife, Elizabeth Ann Gore and their children comprised part of the second group.
Swamp Cabbage instructions by the Longs
When the Longs cut down the palm they would remove some "boots" or hull, which were bitter. When they passed the bitter part, a few rounds were cut from the bottom of the trunk or head, a few more boots peeled off, the tender part cut from the bottom, then another boot was peeled off. When all the tender cabbage had been cut away the small tender pieces were covered with water.
They than steamed some as a vegetable and saved the rest for "Heart of Palm Salad" The Longs made the salad similar to cabbage slaw.
They than steamed some as a vegetable and saved the rest for "Heart of Palm Salad" The Longs made the salad similar to cabbage slaw.
Cemetary today at Pat's Island, near Silver Glenn off Hwy . 19 to Salt Springs.
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Old Cattle Dip on the Longs Property.
St. Johns River Historical Society, Inc. , Tina Hagstrom (photographer) 2015
Orvo and DIana Watia and Bob Hutchinson
takes a trip to Pat's Island and the Yearling Trail "Jody's Trail"
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Dogwoods in Bloom at Pat's Islnad
Bottom of sink hole
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1854 The Wolves of the Big Scrub
Everything seemed to be going well for Reuben, yet he felt a persistent tinge of uneasiness. There was always a threat from wild animals. He had always to be on the alert.
Reuben Long had often caught a glimpse of the very large wolf pack. Something had to be done. Wolves could destroy their animals and children.
He called a meeting of all the men and older boys from miles around. This was a neighborhood project since all had animals and children.
The met at the Chapel Methodist Church. The decided to use strychnine poison on bait to destroy the wolf pack.
They waited only a couple of days. Reuben came upon a heifer of his that had been killed. As he approached he saw the large pack of grey wolves leaping into the bush. He called one of the boys to bring the strychnine to him. He poisoned the carcass and felt sure the wolves would be back as they had looked gaunt.
They continued the poisoning and the wolf pack grew smaller and smaller. The planned to hunt down the remaining wolves. One by one they shot and killed from horseback until the last wolf was destroyed.
This ended the largest pack of wolves east of the Mississippi River.
Reuben Long had often caught a glimpse of the very large wolf pack. Something had to be done. Wolves could destroy their animals and children.
He called a meeting of all the men and older boys from miles around. This was a neighborhood project since all had animals and children.
The met at the Chapel Methodist Church. The decided to use strychnine poison on bait to destroy the wolf pack.
They waited only a couple of days. Reuben came upon a heifer of his that had been killed. As he approached he saw the large pack of grey wolves leaping into the bush. He called one of the boys to bring the strychnine to him. He poisoned the carcass and felt sure the wolves would be back as they had looked gaunt.
They continued the poisoning and the wolf pack grew smaller and smaller. The planned to hunt down the remaining wolves. One by one they shot and killed from horseback until the last wolf was destroyed.
This ended the largest pack of wolves east of the Mississippi River.
