Daughters of the American Revolution
Amelia Island Chapter
Contact: Lucinda Jo Glenn, Regent
[email protected]
April 28, 2017 1:00 p.m.
The Amelia Island Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution will unveil a marker at Egans Creek Park in Fernandina Beach at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 13, memorializing the Revolutionary War engagement at the Egmont Plantation.
The chapter is honored to have noted historian and author Dr. Roger Smith as its keynote speaker. Amelia Island DAR Regent Lucinda Jo Glenn will give details of the events that took place at the plantation on August 7, 1776. State Senator Aaron Bean will also deliver remarks, and music will be provided by the Nassau Community Band under the direction of Dr. Marc Dickman. The color guard, commanded by Dick Cardell, will be the combined force of both the Jacksonville and the Marshes of Glenn chapters of the Sons of the American Revolution. Greeters will be from the Vaughan-Latham Society Children of the American Revolution. A reception in a pavilion in the newly-renovated park will follow the ceremony, and all are invited.
The 18th century Egmont Plantation covered the northern portion of Amelia Island. Its principal crop was indigo, grown to produce a signature shade of blue dye for the textile industry.
The plantation’s owner was John Perceval, the Second Earl of Egmont. When he died in 1770, his executors appointed Stephen Egan to manage this plantation in British East Florida. Both Egans Creek and the adjacent park are named in his honor. The plantation met its end on August 7, 1776, when Georgia Militia drove the British from the island and destroyed the plantation. Egan and his family, as well as plantation slaves, escaped safely to St. Augustine.
The public is invited to the unveiling of the marker at the park, which is land that was once part of the plantation. Seating is limited, so attendees may want to bring chairs.
It will be nice to have this part of the Island’s history made more visible to others as it doesn’t often get told. Hope there will be a story on the park’s dedication this past Saturday as well.