The Humphreys family in America - citizen hylbom blog

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is believed that, had he been continued in office, his influence would have saved his country a very large part oi
the many millions of money which it has cost the Government of the United States in that devastating Indian War.
"In the general wreck, on the outbreak of Indian hostilities in 1S35, he, in common with others, lost his all,
and only until recently has he been enabled to recover a bare portion of that which ought to have been promptly
remunerated to him; but it is a happy thought that in his latter days comfort and competence surrounded him.
"For the last ten years he has held the office of Judge of Probate for St. John's County, and for more than
twenty years he has been our almost daily associate.
"Such is a brief sketch of the life of our departed Brother, friend, and fellow-citizen; but something more is due.
" He was a bright and shinmg light, and devoted Apostle of Masonry. For more than forty years he had
been one of its members, and for more than seventeen years has he been the zealous and active Master of this Lodge,
the present members of which have almost all been raised by his hand.
"Our lamented Brother has held and filled the offices of Deputy Grand Master of the Grand Lodge, and also
that of Grand High Priest of the Royal Arch Chapter of Florida.
"We deplore liis loss to the Fraternity and can only say, 'the will of God is accomplished.' Therefore be it,
'^Resolved, That in the death of our beloved Brother, Gad Humphreys, our Fraternity has lost a bright and
shining light, the community an upright citizen, and the fi-iend and benefactor of the widow and the orphan.
" Resolved, That we tender our sympathies and condolence to the widow and family of our deceased Brother,
and commend them to Him who only knows how to give relief and soothe their sorrow and distress in this their
time of trouble.
"Resolved, That a Blank page of the Records of this Lodge be inscribed with the name of our deceased
Brother and thus endeavor to perpetuate his memory.
"Resolved, That the members of this Lodge will wear the usual Badge of mouAiing for the space of thirty
days, and that our Lodge Room be clothed in the habiliments of mourning for the term of six months.
"Resolved, That this preamble and the Resolutions be spread upon the Record, and a copy of them sent to the
family of our deceased Brother, and a copy furnished to the St. Augustine Examiner for publication, and that all
the newspapers in the State be requested to copy the same.
"A true copy from the minutes. Signed,
John Lott Phillii's,
"JOINT OCCUPANCY;
OR,
How Col. Gad Humphreys Compromised with the Chief of the Seminoles."
Secretary. '
"A notice of the death of Col. Gad Humphreys, late Worshipful Past Master of St. John's Lodge, No. 12,
which appeared in a recent number of the St. Augustine Examiner, reminds us of a characteristic incident in that
worthy gentleman's life, which was related to us many years ago, in his presence, by his friend Capt. Graham, at
that time in command of the troops stationed at Fort King, in Florida.
" During Major Fagan's Indian Agency, and while he was absent from the nation, we were present at the
paying of the government annuity to the Seminole Nation, of which Micconopy (Pond King) was then the head
chief. The entire nation—men, women and children—had assembled, and were encamped romid the fort, waiting to
receive their money, presents, etc. The important event had also attracted to the cantonment many white persons,
officials, ex-officials, and others, among whom was Col. Gad Humphreys, who came to pay a visit to the tribe
among whom he had so long dwelt as the representative and agent of the government.—The chiefs greeted him
with unusual cordiality, and seemed to esteem it an especial honor to be permitted to shake hands with the ex-agent
and to drink his good health at the officers' mess table. One old chief, by the name of John Hicks, who had
formerly been the head chief of the nation, but who, for some cause, like Col. Humphreys, had been removed, or
broken, as they call it, was very extravagant in his demonstrations of friendship and respect for his fillen Col.
Humphreys. There seemed to exist between them a peculiar relationship springing fiom some old reminiscence
alike interesting to both, and to which frequent allusions were made on the part of Hicks, by certain pantomimic
gesticulations and grimaces, which always ended in a hearty grunt and a ]>roposition to shake hands.
"Much curiosity having been expressed by the white visitors to know the meaning of all these mysterious
demonstrations, which seemed to be perfectly understood and heartily enjoyed by the Indian chiefs, Capt. Graham
promised to give us an account of what he called 'Col. Humphreys' and John Hicks' compromise.' Accordingly
one night after supper, when Hicks had gone through his pantomime, accompanied as usual with an amount of
incoherent gibberish and awkward oaths, much grunting and vehement protestations of friendship for Col. Humphreys,
and had taken his seat on the floor in the corner, where he vainly endeavored to keep the mosquitoes from biting
his bare legs, occasionally brandishing his fists and shaking his head at the Colonel, om- host, the commandant,
proceeded to give us the story.
'