Fort Tonyn facts for kids

Fort Tonyn was a small outpost named after General Patrick Tonyn. He was the Royal Governor of East Florida during the American Revolution. The fort was located in what is now Nassau County, Florida. It was near a place called Mills's Ferry. This spot was about 25 miles up the St. Marys River.

Fort Tonyn was not a very important place at the time. It didn't see much fighting. The British didn't even officially call it a fort. The name "Fort Tonyn" seems to have been used by the Americans for this British outpost. It is mostly remembered because it was a stop during the only major military action in Florida during the Revolution.

What Happened at Fort Tonyn?

On June 28, 1778, General Robert Howe and about 400 American soldiers camped near the fort. At the time, Lieutenant Thomas Brown and his loyalist soldiers, called the East Florida Rangers, were stationed there. They were the first line of defense for British East Florida.

When the American troops arrived, Lieutenant Brown and his Rangers had to leave. They burned the fort and retreated into a nearby area called Cabbage Swamp. These events happened just before a bigger battle.

The Battle of Alligator Bridge

After the events at Fort Tonyn, Colonel Elijah Clarke led his Continental Army troops. They faced a defeat at the Battle of Alligator Bridge on June 30. This was the only major fight in a plan to take over British East Florida during the American Revolutionary War. The plan was not successful.

Later Years

It is believed that some kind of fort or outpost still existed at this location as late as the War of 1812.