The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

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planter near Fort King, East Florida, until the commencement of the Indian hostilities, when he
was broken up, losing nearly all of his negroes and stock, and having liis houses burned. He
then removed to St. Augustine, Fla., and there resided till his decease in that town, 31 .\ugust,*
1859, at the age of 73 years. ^ 204 1 *'''0
TTic Anierican Phrenological Journal gives the following:
"The faculty of language was as signally developed in the character of Col. Humphreys
as the organ was large in his head. He was one of the very best story-tellers to be found, and
was almost always talking. In consideration of the ease with which he learned to speak languages
from hearing them spoken, he was made Government interpreter to the Seminole Indians, whose
language he learned to speak in four weeks, difficult as it is. With very inferior facilities, he had
learned to speak several languages, by casually hearing them spoken. So retentive was his mem-
ory that -he required to hear any word or expression interpreted but once always to remember it.
He could repeat a sermon verbatim just by hearing it delivered. He had all the elements of a
truly splendid orator, and would have been one but that he loved his ease too well to make the
required effort, "f
From all I have been able to learn from my mother Anna (Landon) Humphreys, and from
Hugh (the brother of Col. Gad) Humphreys and others, he was a most charming and accomplished
gentleman, and noted as the finest story-teller and talker, and the finest humorist in the South.
He was, like his father and ancestors, of large stature and commanding presence, full of information,—charming
all who came in contact with him by his gentlemanly bearing and genial humor.
We are indebted to R. H. Farnham, Esq., for these reminiscences concerning his uncle:
"Colonel Gad Humphreys was, beyond question, a man of great native talent, and his
associates were always among the first of the land, wherever he went. Moreover, there was
nothing of the snob about him. He was never in Attica but once, and that was probably about
fifty-five years ago, when he came to visit my father's family. The people here were very much
taken with him. One day he paid a visit to the late Major Parmenio Adams, whose acquaintance
he had made at Washington while the latter represented the Genesee district, in Congress. A
'raising bee' had assembled near by to help a neighbor up with a barn, when word came that
they were short of help and could not get the frame up. 'Well, Adams,' said Col. Humphreys,
'I reckon there is a job for you and me,' and the two betook themselves at once to the raising,
and, throwing off their coats, each with pike in hand, helped on the 'job' until the last heavy
limber was in place.
"
he following tribute of respect to the memory of Col. Gad Humphreys was printed soon
after his death:
"At a regular communication of St. John's Lodge, No. 12, held on the 6th day of .September, 1859, the
committee appointed at a previous meeting called on the occasion of the decease of our Worshipful Past Master,
Gad Humphreys, consisting of Brothers James M. Gould, Ora Howard and William S. Harris, reported the follow-
ing preamble and Resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:
"It has pleased the Grand Architect of the Universe to break another link in our ancient and venerable
Fraternity, and call to his reward and to receive his wages, our worthy, honored, and beloved Past Master, Brother
Gad Humphreys, after a long and useful life of seventy-four yeai-s, devoted, both for his country and for our Order.
Our lamented Brother was a native of Connecticut, and entered the United States Army about the year 1808 as a
Lieutenant, and continued therein until the year 1821; and in all that period he had lx;en regularly advanced and
])romoted until he had attained the rank of Colonel of his regiment. In this important interval,— in the 'Second
War of Independence ' he served his country with credit to himself and the approbation of the Government. In the
' year 1821, the United States Army was reduced to the Peace eslablishmnit,' and he with many others was disbanded.
"Shortly after his reduction, our deceased Brother was appointed by President Monroe, Agent for the Seminole
Indians in Florida, which was in the year 1822. He held and faithfully performed the duties of his office, until
about the year 1830, when he was removed, during which time he obtained the confidence of the Seminoles, and it
d.ite as given on page 391. t Vol. XXXV., September, i86a.
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