Florida Territorial Governor Robert R. REID

The story of Florida’s developing 19^th century Citrus Belt, as stated in our Part One, includes a half dozen or more individuals named Reed & Reid. Most were not related, and yet each played, in their own unique way, key roles in the development of central Florida. As historians began documenting these folks, they often misspelled names, so in turn, the area’s true story blurred. All this week CitrusLANDFL will Right History, beginning with Governor REED in Part One. Today we feature Florida’s 4^th Territorial Governor, Robert Raymond REID (1789-1841).

“We ascend the crest of a park-like forest on the old Fort road; and passing between tall picket fences, over which hangs the dark varnished green of the orange, grove after grove, we come to old Fort REID.” South Florida Railroad in 1887 was able to get right what earlier surveyors could not – spelling the name of Fort REID correctly. The first surveyor spelled the name REED in 1845, an error that has been perpetuated to some extent throughout Florida history. A mile and half inland from Lake Monroe, Historic Fort Reid evolved from a fortress to a 19^th century town, all because of one soldier by the name of Augustus Jefferson Vaughn. After serving at the military outpost, Vaughn remained as comrades departed, and he then made the old fortress his residence.

Of four forts on the 25 mile old forts trail south to Gatlin, Reid was the only fort named to honor a living person. Monroe, Maitland & Gatlin were each named for soldiers who had died in the war.

Territorial Governor Robert R. REID had argued in favor of releasing the shackles from the Army to allow them to do their job in the war against the Indians. His endorsement earned REID a fort named in his honor. Born 1789 in Prince William Parish, SC, as an attorney REID married twice while living in Augusta, GA. After the loss of two wives he relocated in 1835 to St. Augustine, accepting a Presidential appointment as U. S. Judge of East Florida. Robert R, REID became the 4^th Territorial Governor in 1839.

Fort Reid was established November 9, 1840, and Robert R. REID completed his term as Governor March 19, 1841. He died July 1, 1841 during a yellow fever epidemic. A son, also Robert R. REID, is a story for another day.