Folkway #8 - Names

So, what were the naming customs of Florida's pioneers?

For the most part, this area's first American settlers were fairly conventional in the names they chose for their children.  For instance, the 1900 census of Pine Castle shows the ten most popular names for males were (in order):

William, Charles, John, James, Joseph, Edward, Samuel, Bourbon*, Earl, and Jesse.

For females, the list looks like this:

Mary, Sarah, Mamie, Margaret, Katherine,Nancy, Jane, Emma, Hattie, and Lucinda.

Of all these, only the name "Bourbon" sticks out as peculiar, easily attributable to the prolific family of local pioneer Bourbon "Burb" Johns (1832-1906).

Names were perpetuated from one generation to the next by a fairly common pattern of selection.  A firstborn son was usually named for his paternal grandfather, while a second son would be named for his maternal grandfather.  Likewise, a firstborn daughter was often named for her maternal grandmother, while a second daughter would be named for her paternal grandmother.

Of course, this rule was not uniformly followed throughout the community.

Our pioneers also had an affinity for naming their children after prominent figures, presumably role models.  These included:

Christopher Columbus - The famous explorer who "sailed the ocean blue in 1492," was admired for his adventurous spirit.  His namesakes here were usually called by their initials ("C.C.") or the more unique "Lummie."

Lorenzo Dow - This evangelical circuit rider was remembered for his zealous sermons.  His namesakes sometimes went by "Larry."  In Pine Castle, though, at least one old timer answered to the old preacher's surname: Dow Hansel.

Benjamin Franklin - The patriot and inventor was admired for his wisdom and common sense.  His namesakes usually went by "Ben" or "Frank." 

Andrew Jackson - The U.S. president was highly esteemed among the pioneers, not only for his democratic values but for having been an Indian fighter.  His namesakes here often went by the nickname "Jack."

James Madison - The U.S. president was perhaps better remembered as the father of the Constitution, which enshrined rights the pioneers held so dear.  One of his more prominent namesakes here was Madison Johns.

Francis Marion - The "Swamp Fox" was a Revolutionary War hero to many southerners.  His namesakes here often went by the nickname "Frank."

John Wesley - The founder of Methodism was a popular namesake among his many local adherants.  The most common nickname was "Wes."

To learn more about Florida's frontier folkways, come to Pioneer Days on February 21st and 22nd at Cypress Grove Park, 290 West Holden Avenue, Orlando, FL 32809.  Complete details may be found at www.pinecastlepioneerdays.org.