Dr. Andrew Turnbull and the New Smyrna Colony of Florida: A Historical Legacy

Early Life and Career

Dr. Andrew Turnbull was born in Scotland in 1718. He studied medicine at the University of Edinburgh and later practiced in London.

In 1763, Turnbull traveled to the British colony of East Florida. He was impressed by the region's potential for agriculture and began to develop plans for a large-scale plantation.

Establishment of the New Smyrna Colony

In 1767, Turnbull received a land grant from the British government to establish a settlement on the Mosquito Coast of Florida. The following year, he brought a group of 1,400 settlers, mostly Minorcans and Greeks, to the settlement, which he named New Smyrna.

Turnbull intended to establish a sugar plantation and hoped to profit from the booming sugar industry in the Caribbean. However, the colony faced numerous challenges.

Hardships and Struggles

The settlers faced harsh conditions, including disease, starvation, and attacks from Native Americans. Turnbull's management of the colony was also criticized. He was accused of being a harsh taskmaster and of neglecting the well-being of his settlers.

By 1777, the colony had been abandoned. Turnbull fled to the Bahamas, and most of the settlers returned to their home countries.

Legacy of the New Smyrna Colony

Despite its short-lived existence, the New Smyrna Colony had a lasting impact on Florida's history. The colony introduced a diverse population to the region, and its legacy can still be seen in the Minorcan community that remains in St. Augustine.

The colony also played a role in the development of Florida's sugar industry. Although Turnbull's plantation failed, sugar cane cultivation continued to be an important part of Florida's economy in the years that followed.

Dr. Andrew Turnbull's New Smyrna Colony was a bold but ultimately unsuccessful attempt to establish a large-scale plantation in Florida. However, the colony left a lasting legacy on the region, contributing to its diversity and influencing its economic development.