It was under the guidance of Jeanette Thurber Conner of New York City and then, State Regent
Mrs. Theodore Strawn of DeLand, Florida, that Mrs. Zelia Wilson Sweett formed our Jane Sheldon Chapter in
New Smyrna, Florida, on October 29, 1925. Descendants of Jane Murray Sheldon still reside
in our community.
Jane's parents, George Murray and Jane Duval of Philadelphia, came to Florida in 1803 and claimed
600 acres of east coast land about 4 miles south of New Smynra, Florida. Because of Indian
hostilities, they returned to Philadelphia where Jane was born, September 15, 1812.
Jane and her widowed mother settled in Mandarin, Florida. There, Jane married John Dwight Sheldon of
Greenfield, Massachusetts and returned to New Smyrna in 1835. Throughout the Seminole War, the
Sheldons experienced many Indian raids, one of which burned down their family home.
Located in New Smyrna, Jane and John Sheldon built the New Smyrna Hotel upon
a coquina foundation which rests within a large shell midden from the Timucuan Indian era. This 40-room
hotel was the largest of its kind south of St. Augustine, Florida. It was destroyed by Federal gunboats,
the Oleander and the Beauregard, during the Civil War.
After the war, widowed Jane Sheldon built a smaller structure on this same Indian shell midden, that served as
a boarding house, pioneer general store, port collector's office, and print shop which published this area's first
newspaper, Florida Star. Many structural problems led to the building's
removal in circa 1900.
Jane Sheldon passed away June 7, 1903 in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. She rests with husband John and
mother at the Edgewater-New Smyrna Cemetery. |
Jane Sheldon, The Woman
Jane Sheldon and her husband, John, were pioneers of the area. They were
the only people known to remain in the community, serving, throughout the Seminole War. They experienced raids
and many other adventures with the Indians. Jane had one son in the Army of Virginia during the War between the
States, and a second son who was disabled, ran the Union blockade to secure supplies for the families in the community.
Jane Sheldon was the "community doctor." She prepared medicines and wrapped bandages with the help of her
daughters. Her home was bombarded three times by Union gunboats, and on the last occasion, was burned to the ground.
Her story of the period, the ways and means she was forced to secure food and shelter for her family, and medical care for
the community, is one of historic pluck and endurance. She served as New Smyrna's first Postmistress and inn-keeper.
Jane Sheldon was born September 13, 1812, widowed in 1861, and died on June 7, 1903. |
