John Westcott (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Westcott
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| President of the Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Company | |
| In office 1881–1888 |
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| Appointed by | Harrison Reed |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the St. Johns district |
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| In office 1878–1880 |
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| Surveyor General of Florida | |
| In office 1853–1858 |
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| Appointed by | Millard Fillmore |
| Governor | Thomas Brown James E. Broome Madison S. Perry |
| Preceded by | Benjamin A. Putnam |
| Succeeded by | Francis Littlebury Dancy |
| Member of the Florida House of Representatives from the Madison district |
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| In office 1845–1846 |
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| Personal details | |
| Born | June 16, 1807 Bridgeton, New Jersey |
| Died | December 31, 1888 (aged 81) St. Augustine, Florida |
| Political party | Democratic (after 1858) |
| Other political affiliations |
Whig Party (before 1856) Know Nothing (1856-1858) Independent Democrat (1858) |
| Education | United States Military Academy (attended) University of Pennsylvania (MD) |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States Army Confederate States |
| Branch/service |  United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1840-1842 (USA) 1863–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank | Surgeon (USA) Captain |
| Unit | Florida Mounted Volunteers 2nd Florida Infantry |
| Battles/wars | Second Seminole War American Civil War |
John Westcott (born June 16, 1807 – died December 31, 1888) was an important American surveyor and politician from Florida. He served as Florida's main surveyor and was the first leader of the Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Company. This company helped build canals along Florida's coast.
Contents
Early Life and Education
John Westcott was born in Bridgeton, New Jersey, on June 16, 1807. His father, James Westcott Sr., used to publish newspapers in Washington, D.C.. Later, he moved to New Jersey and became involved in local politics. John's grandfather was a captain during the American Revolutionary War.
In 1823, John's father became friends with Samuel L. Southard. Southard was a U.S. Senator for New Jersey. Senator Southard helped John get into the West Point military school. John joined the academy on July 1, 1823. However, John found the physical training too hard. He left West Point on November 15, 1823. Instead, he decided to study medicine at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. He focused on treating diseases like yellow fever and dysentery.
Early Career in Florida
Helping During the Seminole Wars
The Second Seminole War
In 1838, John's brother, James Westcott Jr., asked him to move to Florida. James was a well-known politician in the Florida Territory. He wanted John to help the U.S. Army during the Second Seminole War. Yellow fever was a big problem in Florida's swampy areas. There were not many trained doctors who knew how to treat it.
John Westcott moved to Florida in 1838 and settled in Madison County, Florida. In 1840, he joined the U.S. Army as a surgeon. He worked with the Florida Mounted Volunteers, led by Colonel William Bailey.
Because he had trained at West Point, other army officers respected Westcott. They often asked for his advice on war plans. Westcott saved his group from danger many times. For example, he stopped them from walking into a Seminole trap in the San Pedro Swamp.
After the Second Seminole War ended, Westcott lived a quiet life in Madison County. He was an important person there. He started the county's Masonic Lodge and became the local postmaster. He also kept working as a doctor.
When Florida became a state in 1845, Westcott was elected to the first Florida House of Representatives. He helped create Florida's education system. He only served one term. In 1847, Westcott became friends with Samuel J. Perry. Perry was a surveyor for the General Land Office. Westcott then became a deputy surveyor himself. He carefully mapped Florida's Green Swamp. This was a job many thought was impossible. Westcott also worked closely with the army. He realized the swamps were perfect hiding places for Seminole war camps.
The Third Seminole War
In 1853, President Millard Fillmore appointed Westcott as the surveyor general of Florida. Many politicians wanted to deal with the Seminoles. In this new job, Westcott was in charge of mapping all of Florida. He would find where Seminole camps might be. He would also find good spots to build army forts.
Many people wanted the Seminoles to be completely removed by force. But Westcott believed a peaceful solution was possible. With the army's help, Westcott began destroying Seminole food and small camps. This forced the tribe into a smaller area around the Everglades.
In 1854, James E. Broome, the governor of Florida, agreed with Westcott. He also thought a peaceful solution was possible. Governor Broome asked the Oklahoma Seminoles to help. They tried to convince their relatives in Florida to give up. However, the Florida Seminoles, led by Chief Billy Bowlegs, refused.
Because of pressure from many politicians, Jefferson Davis, the U.S. Secretary of War, gave an order. He told the army to search the Everglades aggressively. This was to make the Seminoles react. On December 20, 1855, a group of soldiers was attacked. Lieutenant George Lucas Hartsuff led them near Fort Myers. The attack was by a Seminole war band led by Bowlegs. This gave the United States a reason to start the Third Seminole War.
Westcott and his surveyors did not take an active part in this war. By 1858, most Seminoles were defeated. Only a small group of Miccosukee stayed hidden deep in the Big Cypress Swamp. Westcott left his job as surveyor general that same year.
Political Interests
John Westcott was not very interested in politics. This was true even though his family and friends were important politicians. He was part of the Whig Party until it ended in 1856. Then he joined the Know Nothing party. When that party also ended in 1858, Westcott became an Independent Democrat.
As an Independent Democrat, Westcott ran for the United States House of Representatives. He challenged the person already holding the job, George Sydney Hawkins. Westcott believed the Florida Democratic Party was unfair. He wanted to change how party candidates were chosen. He also wanted to help settlers on the frontier by offering them cheap land.
Westcott was very popular in East and South Florida. He also had the support of Florida's Democratic governor, Madison S. Perry. However, he did not have enough party support. His campaign could not gain ground in West Florida. He lost the election, getting only 37% of the votes.
Later Career and Death
When the American Civil War began, John Westcott and his nephew James Westcott III joined the Confederate Army. His nephew fought in many bloody battles. But Westcott was older. He joined the 2nd Florida Infantry. He was put in charge of defending Tampa. He defended the city during the Battle of Fort Brooke in 1863.
After the war ended, Westcott lived in St. Augustine, Florida. He worked as a private surveyor in the area.
In 1876, Westcott was one of Florida's representatives. He went to the 1876 Democratic National Convention in St. Louis, Missouri. He served on a committee that wrote resolutions. Westcott supported Governor Samuel J. Tilden of New York for president. He also supported Governor Thomas A. Hendricks of Indiana for vice president. Both men became the party's chosen candidates.
In 1878, Westcott was elected to the Florida House of Representatives again. This time, he represented St. Johns County. Like his first time, he only served one term.
In 1881, people in St. Augustine asked for help. The Florida Legislature then created the Florida Coast Line Canal and Transportation Company. This company was responsible for digging and improving the area around the St. Johns River. Westcott was made its first president. He was chosen because he knew so much about surveying. Westcott stayed in this job until he died on December 31, 1888.
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