Peter Crocker
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Peter Crocker (1843-1911) was born in Steuben County, New York, on July 16, 1843. He was a Civil War Veteran and a lighthouse keeper at Key West. He was married to Sophia M. Crane and had six children.
Civil War Service
[edit]When he was 18 years old, he enlisted as a private in the Volunteer Union Army and served two three-year terms. During the Civil War he served in the battles of Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, and Gettysburg.[1] His final discharge was at Key West, Florida, on February 9, 1867.
Personal Life
[edit]While stationed in Key West, he met Sophia M. Crane. They married on April 3, 1867, and moved to Sarasota, Florida in 1873.[2] They purchased 20 acres of land for $1.25 an acre and built a home southwest of Bay Road and (currently) Tamiami Trail. Sophia had six children, only one of which survived (Fannie).[1]
Crocker was chronically ill while living in Sarasota and attributed it to a bout of typhoid he had in the army. He suffered from chronic rheumatism and other ailments, which frequently left him unable to work.[3] He received a disability pension starting in 1885 at $2 a month and was increased to $3 in 1890.[1]
Crocker died December 21, 1911[4] and was buried by his home near his children.[5]
Life in Sarasota
[edit]The Crocker Family arrived before the Scottish settlers, making them one of the first white families to settle the area that is now Sarasota.[6] After spending some time in the community, Crocker established a church (Crocker Church) and cemetery (Crocker Cemetery), became a trustee for the Phillippi School, and the postmaster of the Crocker Post Office located in his house from 1909-1912. He was also appointed to a committee to help to plan the roads surrounding the Bee Ridge area.[7]
Peter Crocker was also a farmer[8] and the first person to grow tobacco and coffee beans in Sarasota.[9]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "St. John's/Crocker Memorial Cemetery | Sarasota History Alive!". www.sarasotahistoryalive.com. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ "Crocker Memorial Church | Sarasota History Alive!". www.sarasotahistoryalive.com. Retrieved 2024-07-11.
- ^ "The Crockers; Church, cemetery bear family's name". Sarasota Herald Tribune. May 26, 1999. pp. 7B. Retrieved July 17, 2024.
- ^ "Local Affairs". The Sarasota Times. December 21, 1911. p. 7. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ Crocker Cemetery Collection, Sarasota County History Center Archives, Sarasota, FL, Box 1, Folder 2.
- ^ "Oldest Native Recalls "Good Old Days"". Sarasota Herald Tribune. March 23, 1958. p. 11.
- ^ "County Commissioner's Proceedings". Manatee River Journal. March 9, 1906. p. 1. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ "Where Fruits and Vegetables Grow in Profusion". Manatee River Journal. January 25, 1907. p. 1. Retrieved July 15, 2024.
- ^ Jacobson, Mike (August 24, 1977). "A Look at Area History". Sarasota Journal. p. 2.