Folkway #20: Rank

So, who held "rank" on the Central Florida frontier, and how was status conferred?


As detailed in yesterday's post, society was generally stratified by wealth.  As individuals, the wealthy held more social, political, and economic influence than did the poor.  But, the bulk of the population lived between the two extremes as small farmers.  So, the democratic impulse of the pioneers kept the rich and powerful somewhat in-check, especially during election years.


Just as economic class was very fluid, with common laborers able to aspire to becoming wealthy planters, so too was rank.


A pioneer might be held in very high esteem at one point, only to fall from grace at the next.  The best example of this was Capt. Aaron Jernigan, who organized the local militia during the territorial era and was elected to represent his neighbors in Tallahassee soon after statehood was achieve in 1845.  But, in the years just before the War Between the States, he and his family were implicated in a murder scandal that forced them to flee to Texas.


Rank was generally conferred by democratic vote, or at least general consensus. 


The most respected members of pioneer society were:


1. Oldtimers - whose life experience and wisdom was much respected.


2. Preachers - who, especially during the early days of settlement, risked their lives  to spread the "good news."


3. Teachers - whose lifework was to improve the next generation of pioneers


4. Military officers - who organized the defense of the frontier against Indian raids and other threats