Page 4 June 12, 2013
The Newscaster/Nature Coast News
Seeking Answers,Lost in the Palmettos
Remembering the Past
Andy Seely was raised in Inglis and is a real history buff. Since the day in 1989
that he made pictures of two tombstones in a newly discovered 1900 s slave cemetery lost
in a palmetto thicket next to Plaza 40 east of the Shell station in Inglis, he wanted to know
more about this final resting place. Since only two of the stones had marking, he set out to
try and put a person with the names. According to many long time locals many graves were
in this area but only two for some reason had markers, the rest were wooden crosses that
were eventually burned in a woods fire. Sarah Putt 1888-1927 (photo right) Born a Christian
Died a Christian Court No 88 Dunnellon Fla. and Ben Putt on a smaller one.
According to locals the two markers were relocated and the building built. Seely
on his search for any info on relatives dug deep and finally hit on a find. Ben remarried after
Sarah s death to Dosha. Seely located Dosha Stokes great granddaughter of Ben and Dosha
living in Gainesville Florida. Arrangements were made and a meeting took place in Inglis
with Dosha, husband James “Ricky” Stokes and daughters Montenique and Jazmine. Seely
brought out all his research and Dosha and family were surprised with the details.
More info from others who witnessed the cemetery before it was lost to vegetation
will fill in the history. As children playing in the woods back then were reports of all the
indentations in the ground where wooden caskets had deteriorated, some reported falling in
some as they ran in the woods back in the 60 s playing hide and seek.
More history will unfold and Seely wants to bring the Stokes family before the
Inglis Town Commission and request a historical marker be placed at the final resting place
of those two known and many unknown who lived in a hard time where a meager living was
made off the land. Some day Seely s question will be answered as to why only these two had
permanent readable markers. Story by Sally Price.
Shrimp at Hickory Island
Landing
48 Hwy. 19 S.
Inglis, Florida • 352-447-5201
Open 7 Days 5:00 am - 9:00 pm • Wi-Fi Available
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This cemetery lost in a palmetto thicket on the southeast corner of Hwy 19 & Hwy 40 in Inglis
was discovered by a worker when land was being cleared for the Plaza 40 building east of the
Special 5:00 - 8:00 am
Shell on property that Carroll Cason sold to Bob Sargent. Ole timers remember the cemetery
that was used for African American burials who worked the mines, saw mills and turpentine
Monday thru Friday, only $2.22 - 2 Eggs, 2
stills in the early 1900’s. Most of the graves were marked with wooden crosses which eventu-
ally burned in a fire. Only two markers had names:Sarah Putt 1889-1927 Lived a Christian died
Bacon or Sausages and 2 Pancakes!
a Christian and a smaller one for Ben Putt. History credit:Andy Seely and Sally Price.
Celebrating our 1 year Anniversary
Tuesday June 18 2013 only
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Andy Seely arranged a meeting in Inglis with with Dosha Stokes, great granddaughter of Ben
and Dosha, husband James “Ricky” Stokes and daughters Montenique and Jazmine.
Carl Roof, Inc.
Brandell Campbell
Lisa VanDeBoe
Quarry Mgr.
Land Clearing - Fill - Septic Installation
Broker/Owner
Carl Roof, Owner
352-634-0129 plantationlisa@yahoo.com
19371 SE Butler Rd.
St. Catherine Quarry
See all the Citrus County listings on our Website:
Inglis, FL 34449
Aggregates Division
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Office (352)793-4526
Florida Region
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