Melton Haynes
American Confederate soldier
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Melton Haynes (March 21, 1827 – January 10, 1883) was a Confederate soldier, civil engineer and early settler of Lake County, Florida. He is known for bringing the first sweet oranges to central Florida.[1] He was born in Whiteville, North Carolina to Bythel and Zylphia Nichols Haynes as the fourth of ten children.[2] As a youth, Melton experienced bouts of severe muscle and joint pain and it was recommended that he move to a warmer climate.[2] Haynes traveled to Florida in 1845 with his younger brother Bunberry.[2] They settled in what is now Leesburg, Florida on a bluff across Lake Astatula, naming their settlement Haynes Point.[3] During this time, Haynes earned money by surveying the untamed landscape of Lake County, as well as by selling sweet potatoes he planted.[4] It was also during this time that Haynes fought in the Seminole Wars during the uprising in 1848.[5] He married Sarah Isabella Vaught, whom he called Isa, in November 1849.[2] He served as a member of the Florida House of Representatives in 1884 and 1885. He served as a member of the Florida Senate in 1866. Using the sweet orange seeds Haynes brought to the area, he planted a 160-acre grove on Haynes Point.[6] Oranges were not native to Central Florida, so Haynes is credited with beginning what would become a flourishing citrus industry in the area.[7] Haynes died in 1883 after falling from his horse and drowning due to injury.[2] His home, called Woodlea and built in the cracker style, has been recreated at a park in Tavares, Florida.[1]
Confederate States of AmericaMelton Haynes | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | 21 March 1827 |
| Died | 10 January 1883 (aged 55) |
| Buried | Yalaha Cemetery |
| Allegiance | Confederate States of America |
| Branch |  Confederate States Army |
| Service years | 1863-1865 |
| Rank | Captain |
| Unit | Co. H, 5th Regiment, Florida Cavalry, C.S.A. |
| Spouse | Sarah Isabella Vaught |
Military
He was commissioned into the Confederate army on Oct, 15th, 1863 as a 1st Lt.[8] He fought in the battle of Marianna in Marianna, Fl, as well as the largest battle in Fl, the battle of Olustee in Baker County, Fl.[9] He surrendered as a Captain on May 10th, 1865[10] and was paroled on May 20th, 1865.
