billy grahams connection to my county

[jasonc]

years ago a man named seaborn jones moved from merit island he cleared a path from his house that he could travel via boat to the island and on that island(separate barrier island) he cleared from that part of Brevard(in his day it was all Brevard) to where his homestead is now in indian river county, by doing so he created what would later be and parts of it still are a1a. his homestead still exists in parts. the family sold this after the last jones died and the fire destroyed the original old pre 1880 house. seaborn died and was buried on reams, later on his son and grandson met billy graham and he would come to my county and stay at this house and one other and did so often, despite not visiting as much later on. up to billy's death, he kept in contact with the grandson who passed on before billy.the jones pier was used after the fact seaborn found using his path to move goods to the coming train via a dock was much easier if he kept it on the river already. jones was into selling fruit(pineapple, tomatoes and also citrus) and wanted to move his goods via the easiest means, at the time the indian river was the best. the island called merit is near the cape and its southern most point is at its closest near what is now called eau gallie which was around then but not inclusive to the barrier island. the distance cleared was very long probably 40 miles. that isn't easy. later on, jones ran a tourboat and his grandkids and sons continued this idea . in my photos as this is still a recent event you might see distances to stores on the island which are accurate. the eckards being one.

 

[Michael74]

History is interesting.

For some reason, your story about people who knew Billy Graham reminded me of a preacher who felt led to take a plane from Britain to speak at a local church. He knew Smith Wigglesworth, which impressed the congregation. The British preacher made light of knowing Smith. He jokingly told the congregation that he knew Smith Wigglesworth, kiss his big toe. Everybody laughed. The local pastor gave me an audio tape of the sermon as a gift.

 

[jasonc]

Photos of Graham at. The driftwood exist which was near another friends house and both still remain

 

[jasonc]

Photos of Graham at. The driftwood exist which was near another friends house and both still remain

i have some photos of that , it is a hard place for me to photo without being asked why im walking on the property and not a paying customer or eating at waldos( a restaurant where graham was photographed ringing a bell called the breezeway then and known as today

 

[jasonc]

 

[jasonc]

those carvings that tell a story of Spanish exploration under ponce de leon were made in Seville,spain and that is where the archive of all Spanish exploration is kept. maps of my state and other parts of the u.s and new world are kept. spain claims that Ponce landed at ft.manatas while Brevard county historical society says it was near Melbourne beach.

 

[Michael74]

I like the carvings. Talented artist.

 

[jasonc]

I like the carvings. Talented artist.

Sexton went to Seville for a month and the restaurant called Cervantes,a bar as well ,was where these carvings are the statue of don Quixote is in that as well.still there .

 

[Michael74]

...don Quixote.

Funny story. I liked the part about tilting at windmills.

 

[jasonc]

Sexton was eclectic.it,seems normal he would like Cervantes

 

[jasonc]

there will be more to post about him , plenty of stuff on waldo sexton.