L. Windsor Smith – NY to FL

Part of the ‘Smith family history’ series

Sometime in 1835 I believe that Robert’s father L. Windsor Smith left his home in Herkimer County, New York and went South until he could go no further, eventually settling in Key West. The Florida Keys had become part of the United States in 1822, and the shipwrecking industry there was big business. It is unclear if this is what lured Larned to move to Key West, but several sources mention that around this time Key West was the richest city per capita in the United States. We cannot say with certainty whether it was the allure of fortune, frustration with his failed newspaper publications, or perhaps the end of his marriage to the aforementioned Jane Eliza Crandall (whom we know little to nothing about) that led to this radical migration from upstate New York to Florida.

Whatever the reason for his move, it didn’t take Larned long to establish himself in various positions of authority. I found a reference to him being appointed to be Justice of the Peace and Notary Public for Monroe County, Florida in 1836.

Another reference to a February 12th, 1837 appointment of one “L. W. Smith” to be a Judge of the County Court for Dade County, Florida may or may not have been Larned. However, on March 29th, 1839 Larned was definitely appointed to be Postmaster of Key West, an appointment of significant station at that time.

Somewhat surprisingly I was unable to locate Larned in the 1840 Federal Census for the Florida Territory. However, we do know that he traveled at some point in June of 1840 from Key West to New York City. My guess is that this trip to New York City was actually, in part, a honeymoon. On June 1st, 1840 Larned, who was 38 years old, married 20 year old Eveline “Evie” Mosely Spencer. Evie’s father was one Samuel A. Spencer who had been operating a “resort for invalids” (presumably a sanitarium) on Indian Key from the mid-1830’s, but by 1840 the family had moved to Key West.

A very interesting passage from Key West, The Old and The New, a history of Key West written by Jefferson B. Browne and published in 1912, states the following:

“One of the clever women of those days was Miss Evie Spencer. For several years her father lived at Indian Key, whence he came to Key West shortly before the massacre. Miss Spencer was a brilliant and intellectual young woman. She married Mr. L. Windsor Smith, a leading business man of Key West, and a talented lawyer and writer. He wrote in 1835 a series of articles on the flora and fauna of South Florida, and the agricultural possibilities of that section. He was the first to advocate the reclamation of the rich alluvial lands of the Everglades by cutting canals into Lake Okeechobee.”

Key West, The Old and The New, pgs. 187-188

I’ve been unable to locate these 1835 articles, however it is telling that Larned had an inclination to study the environment, and that may be a clue to Robert’s own propensities to investigate the natural world. It is also worth mentioning that John James Audubon spent most of May 1832 in Key West and the Dry Tortugas. While this was prior to Larned’s arrival, Audubon’s efforts may have been an inspiration for his publications.

Larned’s Postmaster appointment was but a stepping stone to his next position. We see here mention of his presence in New York City in late June 1840. On July 20th, 1840 Larned was appointed to be U.S. District Attorney for the southern district of Florida.

A new wife, a new job, and soon a new son. The next several years in Florida would eventually be a time of upheaval and would ultimately lead to yet another significant move for Larned and his family.