Ruben & Rebecca Charles, Friends of the Indians Traditional Geocache
Ruben & Rebecca Charles, Friends of the Indians
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Size: 
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Located at the historic Charles cemetery, one of the oldest
cemeteries known in Florida. We were impressed that there was a
mailbox containing a vistor's log on the grounds. We were pleased
to see the entries of numerous visitors from near and afar. Among
the early American settlers were Ruben and Rebecca Charles, who
chose to live under Florida’s last Spanish occupation. Ruben
Charles set up a trading post west of St. Augustine and became
friendly with the Indians living further inland. Soon thereafter,
trouble with the Indians in the region increased, including those
residing near Charles Springs. Ruben and Rebecca Charles, still
friends of the Indians, were allowed to live in peace under the
legendary stipulation that they wear a red scarf to signify who
they were; otherwise, the Indians would attack them. Although many
communities in the area were attacked and burned by Indians in
those early years, not once was the Charles’ little community
attacked. Ruben Charles died around 1840, apparently from an Indian
attack while walking along the banks of the Suwannee, but the
Indians allowed Mrs. Charles and her children to continue using the
springs for water as long as she wore her scarf. On January 25,
1852, Rebecca Charles was shot while standing on her front porch;
she was 57 years old. It is possible that hostility with the local
white settlers over her friendliness with the local Indians was the
actual cause of Rebecca Charles’ death. According to legend, Rueben
and Rebecca Charles’ daughter Mary rushed out to meet the
stagecoach. In her hurry, she forgot to wear her scarf, and an
Indian mistakenly killed her. The descendants of the Charles
operated the ferry until about 1875, when it was abandoned. Mrs.
Charles’ grave, along with that of her husband and some of their
children (perhaps including Mary), one of the oldest cemeteries
known in Florida, still stands near the springs that bear their
name. Adjacent to the cemetery is an Indian burial ground from the
time of the Spanish mission San Juan de Guacara and earlier as well
as a portion of the Bellamy Road that has recently been marked for
visitors. You are seeking a container similar to a 35mm film
canister. Source: Suwannee Clerk of the Court. www.suwclerk.org
Should you also be interested in logging survey markers, there is
one on the path at N 30 09.896, W 083 13.386
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Be sure to wear a red scarf & log your visit. Lbh'ir tbg znvy!!