William B. Hooker 1800-1871
Capt. Samuel E. Hope 1833-1919
Judge Robert T. Mann 1924-2002
Levin Denton Vinson 1862-1926
From the obituary:
William Brinton Hooker, one of the first settlers of Ware County (GA) but later a prominent citizen of Florida, was born in Montgomery County, GA, May 3, 1800, a son of Stephen and Elizabeth Hooker. He moved with his parents to Ware County in 1825, on it's creation, thence early in 1830 he moved with them to Hamilton County, Florida, where he lived until 1843. He was married in Hamilton County, August 1, 1830 to Mary Amanda Hair, born 4/3/1810, in North Carolina, a daughter of William Hair. To them were born eleven children: Ann Elizabeth, Eliza Jane, Martha Harris, William Jasper, Julia Loretta, Mary Henrietta, Mariby Hair, Sarah Drusilla, James Newton, Georgia Florida, Florella.
Mr. Hooker's parents moved to Tattnall County from Montgomery, or probably were cut into it when Tattnall was made in 1801, and he grew up in Tattnall. he served as Coroner of Tattnall County, 1822-1824, and was an ensign in the Tattnall County militia in the 451st (Waresboro) district and served from 1827 until his removal to Hamilton County, Fl. He was elected the second Sheriff of Ware County, in 1828, and served one term when he then removed to Florida.
On removal to Hamilton County Florida, Mr. Hooker established his home on the Suwannee River near the present White Springs, and there he established "Hooker's Ferry". this was in township 2, Range 16, Hamilton County, where he owned 489 acres. Hamilton County deed records show that in April, 1843 he deeded this property including his ferry rights, to John I. Hooker (his brother) as trustee for the grantor's children, Winnifred M., Anne., Eliza Jane (sic) Martha H., William J., Julia., (sic), and Mary E., (sic) and the same year, on April 27, 1843, the trustee leased out the ferry for ten years ot Wm. H. Dowling (deed book "B", page 300.
Soon after, the same year, Mr. Hooker moved with his family to Hillsborough County and settled near the present town of Parrish in Hillsborough County. He lived there about two years and removed to Manatee county. In 1860 he moved to Tampa where he built the largest and finest residence in southern Florida. This fine home after his death was turned into a hotel and called the "Orange Grove Hotel" from the fact that he had planted so many orange trees on the grounds.
Mr. Hooker on moving to Hillsborough County, engaged in cattle raising and soon became one of the largest stock-owners in South Florida. He sold out and quit the cattle business a few years before his death, selling out to Capt. James McKay, Sr., for the very large sum of $60,000. he was the largest slave-owner, before the war in Sough Florida; these he used in his cattle operations as well as in his farming and fruit growing business.
William B. Hooker has been described by those who know him as a man of much individuality and strong convictions, possessing in a very eminent way the power of initiative. He was endowed with a commanding personality and a recognized leader in his county and section in his day.
He participated in the Indian Wars 1836-1841, also again in 1855-1859. He commanded a company of volunteer militia from Hamilton County and took part with much credit to himself in the battles of Wahoo Swamp and Withlacoochee, and in other engagements. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention in 1838 and was a County Commissioner of Hillsborough County, 1847-49.
Captain Hooker was a faithful member of the Tampa Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, and held office in both his local lodge and chapter at various times. His will dated December 5, 1870, was probated July 17, 1871. His wife died October 10, 1863, and his death occurred June 2, 1871. They were buried in Ft. Brooke Cemetery.
NOTE: The daughter, Winnifred, mentioned above, was Capt. Hooker's illegitimate daughter, and was born July 10, 1827. Her name was changed by resolution of the Georgia Legislature approved Dec 17, 1828, from Winnifred Henderson to Winnifred Hooker, and she was made the lawful heir of her father, Wm. B. Hooker, of Ware County. She married William Parker and died May 8, 1856. her husband was killed June 14, 1856 by the the Indians. their several small children were reared by their father's brother, John Parker.
For further information see "Captain William B. Hooker: Florida Cattle King" by Kyle S. VanLandingham, Vol. XXII The Sunland Journal (Journal of the Tampa Historical Society) November, 1996.
Capt. Samuel E. Hope
Born on September 17, 1833 in Georgia to William Hope and Susan Mitchell
Harville.
William Hope moved his family to "near Paynes Prairie in north Florida
in 1833 and lived there until the Second Seminole Indian War broke out.
Samuel studied at the Alexandria Boarding School in Alexandria, Virginia.
In 1856 he first served in the Indian War as a First Lieutenant on the
staff of General Jesse Carter assigned as "Special Agent to the Independent
Companies of Volunteers".
In 1858, Sam Hope began his career as a surveyor. In 1860, he married Mary Henrietta Hooker, the daughter of prominent Florida pioneer William Brinton Hooker. In 1860, he also entered an unsuccessful race against experienced local politician James T. Magbee for the state senate.
Sam Hope served in the Civil War beginning in 1862, as Captain of the "Brooksville Guards," which was assigned the duty of defending the area around Bayport, Florida. His unit fought in the Battle of Olustee on February 20, 1864, which was the largest Civil War battle to take place in Florida.
Capt. Hope and his men later became part of the 9th Regiment, which became part of "Finegan's Brigade", which fought with distinction in the "2nd Battle of Cold Harbor" in Virginia. Hope was wounded at Petersburg, Virginia on August 25, 1864.
In 1864, Sam Hope was elected to the Florida Legislature. In 1865, he was elected to represent Hernando County in the Constitutional Convention.
In 1878, Sam Hope moved his family near the mouth of the Anclote River. He served two more terms in the State Legislature. He was a conservative Democrat, who opposed centralization of the powers of government, which leads to a "real despotism." He also emphasized "home rule" and a tariff "for revenue only."
Through the remainder of his life, Sam Hope passionately worked to obtain the just pensions for the veterans of the Seminole War.
See "Forging the Florida Frontier: The Life and Career of Captain Samuel E. Hope", by Joe Knetsch, The Sunland Tribune (Journal of the Tampa Historical Society), Vol. XX, November, 1994.
Judge Robert T. Mann, professor emeritus University
of Florida, College of Law 1924-2002
Click
here to read the article written by Judge Mann entitled: "A Few Words for
the Confederate States of America."
Wit and Wisdom of Judge Robert T. Mann (from portions of his opinions selected by attorney Vinson)
Levin Denton Vinson 1862-1926
L.D. Vinson served on the first Board of County Commissioners for Pinellas
County in 1912 (Pinellas County was formerly a part of Hillsborough County).