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THBDAVID LEVY YULEE a.k.a. the Florida Fire Eater + the Father of Florida Railroads
Lot 235
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About Auction
Live
By Early American History Auctions
Feb 27, 2021
Set Reminder
2021-02-27 12:00:00
2021-02-27 12:00:00
America/New_York
Bidsquare
Bidsquare : Black History & Slavery, Historic Autographs, Colonial America & Weapons
https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/early-american-history-auctions/black-history-slavery-historic-autographs-colonial-america-weapons-6434
318 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Slavery & Black History, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Colonial Currency, Historic Early American Guns & more... Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
318 Lots of Rare, Historic Autographs, Americana, Civil War Era, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, Slavery & Black History, Revolutionary War Era, Colonial America, Federal Period, War of 1812, Colonial Currency, Historic Early American Guns & more... Early American History Auctions auctions@earlyamerican.com
View Full Catalog (318)
- Lot Description
Autographs
First Jewish Congressman in the House of Representatives & Senator David Levy Yulee Free-Frank Florida Territory
DAVID LEVY YULEE (1810-1886). Florida Jewish American Politician and Lawyer, a.k.a. "the Florida Fire Eater" & "Father of Florida Railroads", first Jewish Congressman in the House of Representatives and Senator representing Florida.
c. 1844-45, Scarce Free-Frank, Signed "Free / D Levy", 8" x 10", Washington D.C., Very Fine. Small loss from opening along the large intact wax seal. He added the name "Yulee" as a surname in 1846, thus dating this Free-Frank prior to that event. This Postal Address Leaf is addressed to "Govn John Branch / Enfield / N. Carolina", Branch, who was Secretary of the Navy under President Andrew Jackson, had been Governor of N.C. from 1817-20, and was the Governor of the Florida Territory from 1844-45. Red circular postmark stamped with his choice vivid sharp signature at upper right.
DAVID LEVY YULEE was born in the Virgin Islands, the son of a wealthy Sephardi Jewish businessman from Morocco. His family immigrated to Jacksonville, Florida Territory, in 1820s where his father wanted to form a Jewish settlement.
In 1832 David became an attorney practicing in Jacksonville. He was a member of the territorial militia and during the Second Seminole War was present at a conference with Seminole Chiefs, including Osceola. From 1837-39 he served in the Territorial Council, and in 1841 was Clerk of the Territorial legislature. From 1841-45 he was a delegate from the Florida Territory to the U.S. Congress, thus becoming the first Jewish Congressman in the House of Representatives (some argue this point because Florida was still a Territory).
Upon assuming his seat his presence in Congress was immediately disputed, his enemies arguing that he was not a U.S. citizen, having been born in the Virgin Islands. For most of 1841 his legislative activities were suspended, pending resolution of his citizenship. It was resolved in his favor in 1842. Upon Florida Statehood in 1845 he became both one of the first two U.S. Senators from Florida and also the first Jewish U.S. Senator (this is not in dispute).
He was a U.S. Senator up until the start of the Civil War when he resigned, siding with the Confederacy. He was nicknamed the "Florida Fire Eater" because of his speeches in favor of Slavery. Besides serving in the legislature, he owned slaves and operated a 5,000 acre sugar plantation on the Gulf Coast. He also developed Railroads in Florida (he is known as the "Father of Florida Railroads.") He was arrested at the close of the war and imprisoned for nine months at Fort Pulaski in Georgia on the charge of treason and for aiding in the escape attempt of Jefferson Davis. He was pardoned and returned to Florida, focusing his attention again on railroads. In 1880 he and his wife moved to Washington D.C. (she was the daughter of Charles A. Wickliffe, a former Governor of KY, and US Postmaster General). He died in 1886.
Our Auction Contents:
Black History & Slavery: (Lots 1 - 63)
Abraham Lincoln Related: (Lots 64 - 74)
Historic Autographs: (Lots 75 - 235)
Colonial America: (Lots 236 - 261)
Revolutionary War: (Lots 262 - 304)
George Washington Related: (Lots 305 - 306)
Early American Guns & Weapons: (Lots 307 - 318) - Shipping Info
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