Folkway #9 - Age

So, how were elderly pioneers treated on the Florida frontier?

Simply put: with respect.

After all, it was rare back then for someone to even reach their golden years.  So, those who did, were seen as (among other things) great sources of wisdom.

Not surprisingly, the 1900 census enumeration for Pine Castle shows all 14 of her senior citizens (age 65 or more) were listed as the heads of their households.  Even when old timers lived under the same roof as their adult children, they were uniformly accorded that place of honor.

Take the case of 76-year-old German immigrant Julia Funk, who lived with two of her bachelor sons.  There was no doubt who the head of that household was!

There were also a few cases where elderly pioneers married younger spouses, perhaps allowing them to maintain their independence longer than they would have enjoyed otherwise.  82-year-old Cornelius Johns was married to a woman who was young enough to be his daughter.  And, 68-year-old Buck Reddick was fourteen years older than his wife Jane.  But, it wasn't just the men who enjoyed these May-December marriages.  Mrs. Nancy Ward, age 75, was THIRTY years older than her husband Joe.  (They married when she was a mere 59, and he but 29!  And, no, they did not have any children!)

As the living repositories of the community's wisdom, these old timers were frequently consulted for advice on any manner of subjects.

One of the best-remembered figures from the pioneer era is Granny Harris.  She was born Nancy King and married before the War Between the States to a Hansel, and after the war to a Harris.  But, everyone in Pine Castle called her "Granny Harris," not just her numerous grandchildren.  She was everyone's granny.

When Granny Harris was in her 90s, she was recognized as the oldest living resident of Orange County and invited to speak alongside various elected officials and dignitaries. Old timers did not hide their elderly in retirement homes.  They put them in the spotlight as a testimony to the perseverance of the pioneer spirit.

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.