Henry T. Titus facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry T. Titus
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| Personal details | |
| Born |
Henry Theodore Titus
February 13, 1823 Trenton, Mercer County, New Jersey |
| Died | August 7, 1881 (aged 58) Titusville, Florida |
| Resting place | LaGrange Cemetery, Mims, Florida |
| Spouse | Mary Evalina Hopkins |
| Children | Edward Hopkins Titus, Catherine Howell Titus Fox, Mary Evelina Titus, Howell Titus, Henry Theodore Titus, Ellett Livingston Titus, Theodore Titus Jr., Pierre Soule Titus, Theodocia Titus |
| Occupation | citrus grower, grocer, sawmill operator, postal inspector, soldier of fortune |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Rank |  Colonel - Honorary title |
| Battles/wars | Bleeding Kansas, Second Battle of Rivas |
Henry Theodore Titus (born February 13, 1823 – died August 7, 1881) was a brave pioneer and adventurer. He is best known as the person who founded the city of Titusville, Florida. Henry Titus was involved in several military adventures, even though he was never officially a military officer. He explored places like Cuba and Nicaragua. He also fought alongside groups who supported slavery in a conflict known as "Bleeding Kansas." During the American Civil War, he helped move goods through areas blocked by the enemy, a practice called blockade running. He was often called "Colonel," but this was an honorary title, not an official military rank.
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Henry Titus's Early Life
Henry Titus was born in Trenton, New Jersey, on February 13, 1823. He was the first of nine children born to Theodore Titus and Catharine Flick Howell. He grew up in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania.
Henry Titus attended the United States Military Academy at West Point for a while. However, he did not finish his studies there. In 1845, he worked as a postal inspector in Philadelphia.
Adventures and Military Roles
Henry Titus was a leader in the Narciso López expedition. This was an unofficial military trip that invaded Cuba in 1850-1851.
In 1852, Henry Titus and his son Ellett survived a ship accident. Their steamer, the Atlantic, sank after hitting another ship.
Life in Kansas and Nicaragua
Henry Titus worked as a grocer and sawmill operator in Jacksonville. In April 1856, he moved with his family to "Bleeding Kansas." This area was experiencing a lot of conflict between people who supported slavery and those who opposed it. Titus joined the groups who supported slavery.
He lived at Fort Titus, a strong log cabin near Lecompton. On August 16, 1856, this fort was attacked by John Brown's raiders. This event became known as the Battle of Fort Titus. Henry Titus was hurt and captured during the battle. He was later traded for other prisoners.
After this, in February 1857, he joined William Walker in Nicaragua. Walker was leading another unofficial military trip. His goal was to create a settlement there where slavery would be allowed. After Walker's group was defeated, Titus went to New York City.
Mining and the Civil War
From 1858 to 1860, Henry Titus and his brother Elliot moved to Sonoita Valley, Arizona. There, they worked in various ore mines.
During the American Civil War, Titus returned to Jacksonville. He served in the Florida Militia. He also worked for the Florida Provision Company, which sold supplies to the Confederate Army.
In 1863, Titus was transporting people who were avoiding military service to Nassau. His ship was captured by the Northern blockade on the Indian River. He managed to avoid being imprisoned. Later, he returned to Florida with his family.
Founding Titusville
In 1865, Henry Titus moved to New York with his family. But in November 1867, he came back to Florida. He settled in a place called Sand Point. At that time, about 250 people lived there.
Titus built a sawmill, a general store, and a hotel in Sand Point. He was then made the postmaster of the settlement. Soon after, he renamed the town "Titusville." The story goes that the name was decided during a game of dominoes with Captain Clark Rice on October 16, 1873.
Henry Titus worked hard to make Titusville the county seat, which is the main town of the county. His efforts paid off on October 7, 1879. A vote was held, and people chose to move the county seat to Titusville.
Later Life and Family Legacy
In his later years, Henry Titus was a Justice of the Peace. This meant he helped with local legal matters. He also suffered from a condition that made him use a wheelchair for the last years of his life.
Henry Theodore Titus passed away on August 7, 1881, in the town named after him, Titusville.
His son, Theodore Titus (Sr.), became a respected judge in south Georgia. He died on July 4, 1959, at the age of 87. Henry Titus's great-grandson, Theodore Titus, III, served five terms in the Georgia House of Representatives.
