Marcellus A. Williams - Amelia Island, Florida - Blue Plaques on Waymarking.com

This Antebellum mansion was built in 1856. It's not the mansion's first owner, but its second for whom the house is named. Marcellus Williams and his wife, a great-great-granddaughter of the King of Spain, are its most esteemed residents. The Williams were related to the original owners, the George R.Fairbanks.

Marcellus Williams and his wife, Ema, purchased the home in 1859 from the wealthy Boston banker. Williams was a true Florida pioneer as he surveyed the State during the 1800's. He worked for the firm of Lawrence Washington, nephew of George Washington. He surveyed for the Federal Government and had famed New York architect, R.S. Schulyer design the most unique gingerbread in the area and install it on the front of the home. William's surveyed for the railroad from Amelia Island to Cedar Key, the Intracoastal waterway from Lake Worth to Fort Myers, south to Key Biscayne and into the Everglades. Marcellus was one of the first people to befriend the Seminole Indian Nation.

In 1880,at the time of his death, Williams owned almost 400,000 acres of Northern Florida. Williams grandson, Dr. Ash Williams, a noted Jacksonville oncologist, was President of the American Cancer Society and it was because of his untiring efforts that cigarette packages today bear health warnings. His initials can still be seen today carved into the kitchen window sill.

Web:http://www.selectregistry.com/inns/qv/iid/540/aboutinn/bedandbreakfast.aspx

Blue Plaque managing agency: Florida Department of State Florida League of Cities Individual Recognized: Marcellus A. Williams Physical Address: 103 South 9th Street Amelia Island, Fl USA 32034 Web Address: [Web Link]

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Date Logged Log User Rating   08/24/2008 macleod1 visited it

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