John Willoughby
reporter2@greenepublishing.com
Within miles of the Suwannee River, what could possibly be the same piece of land Florida Governor George Drew dwelled on 30 years later was once founded to be the Town of Livingston. Though the vision of Reddin Parramore Georgia man-made-Madisonian who wanted to take advantage of the right opportunity, never came to be, his efforts shall not soon be forgotten.
Following the conclusion of the first Seminole Indian War in 1842, tranquility and an unheard of period of prosperity fell upon Madison County. A number of schools were in full force and Madison Masonic Lodge No. 11 was in the process of erecting the St. John's Seminary of Learning. Steamboats graced the Suwannee River, before the muddy waters became a nationwide sensation thanks to Stephen Foster's folk creativity.
"Dreams of easier living and a milder climate where land could be purchased for a mere song were bringing great hordes of immigrants to Florida and Madison County," William Carlton Smith wrote in a bound copy of recollections found at Treasures of Madison County Museum. "These no doubt were some of the many motivating thoughts which prompted Reddin Parramore to undertake the bold adventure such as building a town."
In an advertisement, 80 acres of land was put for sale. In an auction at the Madison County Courthouse in November of 1843, Thomas Livingston purchased the property for one dollar. Smith wrote that Parramore was familiar with the land and considered it ideal for his plans as there was not a town within fifteen miles in either direction. Shortly, within an unspecified time, the 80 acres of property was divided into lots, streets and parks.
"Why he chose Livingston as the name of his town is not presently known," Smith added in his recollection. "Perhaps it was because Thomas Livingston was the former owner of the property and who was known to have been his good friend. It may have been because the town site was near the well-known ferry and wharf of that name."
By the spring of 1844, lots were ready to be sold to begin the growth of the newly-formed town. The following is the advertisement as it appeared in the March 19, 1844, issue of the Florida Sentinel, a Tallahassee publication.