BENJAMIN FRANKLIN LIVINGSTON

April 27, 1841 - February 8, 1926

Odell Robinson

Benjamin Franklin Livingston, politician, member of the Florida House of Representatives, County Commissioner for Jackson County, Florida; City Councilman and Post Master for the city of Marianna, Jackson County, Florida is buried in the Evergreen cemetery on the west side of Bartow, Polk County, Florida.

While searching for his burial site it was discovered to have a rather large tree growing at the head of the grave that had dislodged the monument. The tree has been removed but nothing further has been done.

Benjamin F. Livingston was born April 27, 1841, into slavery in the Florida panhandle area, possibly in the Marianna, Jackson County, Florida community where the first records of him and his family are found.

After the end of the Civil War the Federal Government required that all ex-slave couples be legally married as prescribed by law. Benjamin Livingston and his brothers, John and Jacob were all married on the same day, June 5, 1866. Benjamin was wed to Grace White, John to Mary Ann White (probably the sister of Grace) and Jacob to Mary Tanner.

During the reconstruction era, Benjamin Livingston and his brothers were very much involved in the political functions of their community.

Benjamin Livingston served as County Commissioner for two terms, 1868 - 1870 and 1874 - 1877, in Jackson County, Florida. During this time he also served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives in 1871, 1872, 1873, 1874, and 1875 for Jackson County.

Benjamin Livingston served as the official Postmaster for the city of Marianna, Jackson County, Florida from 1880 until 1885 and as City Councilmen 1882 - 1884 in Marianna. The Philadelphia Christian Recorder, December 1880 wrote: "Benjamin F. Livingston, the Postmaster of Marianna, Florida, is a man who reflects credit upon his race by his upright character and attention to official duty."

The information I have compiled from census records indicates that Benjamin and Grace Livingston had eight children, four girls: Mary, Dora, Clara and Daisy; four boys: N., Benjamin, Jr., Robert, Fred. Benjamin's occupation's through the years were: a grocer, Post Master, brick mason, shingler, and farm labor. Grace is not found in the 1900 census and is presumed to have passed away.

Two of the Livingston sisters have married two brothers, sons of Ned Gammond of Jackson County, Florida. Mary Livingston to Fred Gammond and Dora Livingston to Edward Gammond. They are found living in the Bartow area in 1900, along with their two sisters. Daisy Livingston is living with Edward and Dora Gammond and Clara Livingston is living with Fred and Mary Gammond.

The 1900 Federal census records indicate that Benjamin Livingston is still residing in Marianna, Jackson County, Florida with two sons, Robert and Fred.

The 1910 Federal census of Polk County, Precinct #3, taken by William Brown on April 26, 1910, and for the first time the entire family is recorded as being mulatto. Here we find Benjamin Livingston residing with his daughter and son in law, Mary and Fred Gamon. They reside on land owned free and clear by Fred Gamon next to the dairy farm of Julian A. Williams. This dairy is where the men worked.

I have been unable to find Benjamin Livingston in the 1920 census of Florida. His daughter, Mary Gammon, is a widow with four of her children still at home. Nothing was found in the local newspapers about Benjamin Livingston at the time of his death. The headstone appears to be from the same period and was probably purchased shortly after he died.

Benjamin F. Livingston has resided quietly for almost 75 years in Evergreen cemetery without anyone knowing of his public service. It is time we recognized his public service.

While researching the 1870 census of Jackson County, Florida I discovered that Benjamin Livingston's younger brother, Richard and wife Lavenia resided nearby with Benjamin's mother, Amy, age 60, from South Carolina, and an older woman, Charlotte Pope, age 110, from South Carolina. (Possibly the grandmother) Also noted Benjamin and Grace had not started a family yet.

I would like to hear from any descendants of Benjamin Livingston that may be living in Bartow, Polk County, Florida, as I would like to expand on this report, possibly with photos of Benjamin or his children for an article to be published in the Polk County Historical Quarterly.

Materials sources:

Florida's Black Public Officials, 1867-1924 by Canter Brown, Jr.

Groom Index to Jackson County, Florida Marriages, 1848-1900, L-R

LEVISTON, Benjamin 5 Jun 1866 WHITE, Grace C 50

LEVISTON, Jacob 5 Jun 1866 TANNER, Mary C 42

LEVISTON, John 5 Jun 1866 WHITE, Mary Ann C

Census extracts from 1870, 1880, 1900, 1910, and 1920 Federal Census of Florida.

Census extracts for 1885 State Census of Florida.

Imperial Polk Genealogical Society, Cemetery survey 3/19/1994

Any questions, comments, etc.

Odell Robinson

1190 East Clinton Street

Bartow, Florida 33830

863-533-9424

E-mail - crackertracker@ij.net