Hart Family Papers

This collection includes a wide range of letters and documents on many subjects relating to the Hart family. There is a short biography of Ossian Hart as well as a biographical article about Isaiah Hart and a description of the Hart cabin, one of the first homes in Jacksonville.

Materials pertaining to Isaiah Hart include: two letters relating to the purchase of land in Jacksonville, two indentures, a transcription of his will, and a house insurance policy.

Materials related to Ossian Hart are fairly limited. There are a few examples of personal correspondences including a letter to a friend in Wilmington, S.C. discussing Native American behavior during the Second Seminole War, another from Catherine's parents discussing their upcoming marriage, a letter to Catherine's parents (a portion of which is written by Catherine), and a letter to Catherine describing conditions at their Lake City plantation during the Civil War. There also is a Confederate draft notice summoning him before the Examining Board of Physicians and a copy of his will.

Other documents related to Ossian's death include a proclamation of his death by the next governor and resolutions made by the officers of Jackson County and the Bar, Officers of the United States and Florida Courts and the Citizens of Key West. There are also newspaper clippings related to his election, inauguration, and death.

Most of the collection consists of correspondence from Catherine's side of the family, including letters between Catherine, her parents, and her sister Lottie. These letters deal mostly with family matters, though they also contain some information on daily life in Key West and Tampa in the mid 19th century. The majority are letters written to Emma Campbell, Catherine's sister. There are two letters to her about the Jacksonville fire of 1901 from her niece Mary Bigelow. In addition there are many letters to Emma from John Douglas who was apparently working with Emma on the renovation and relocation of the Hart tomb. Various documents about the tomb are also included. The last group of letters to Emma are from Mary Aultman and they concern the Hart Memorial Chapter of the American Women's League located in Kissimmee. Also included are newspaper clippings about a legal issue involving the Hart Memorial Chapter.

This collection includes a few photographs, including several of the Hart tomb; one of the Kissimmee Post Office where Catherine Hart lived at one time; prints of a picture of Catherine made from a damaged glass ambrotype negative; the glass ambrotype itself; and an artist's reconstruction of what it would have looked like prior to damage.