Kingsley Plantation

A Florida Plantation

Kingsley Plantation is the site of a former estate 
located outside of Jacksonville, Florida on Fort George Island.  
It was named after an early owner Zephaniah Kingsley, who spent 25 years there.

The Road to Kingsley Plantation

Map of the grounds
You can explore the grounds, which includes slave cabins, a barn, plantation house, kitchen house, a garden and it sits on the Fort George River.

Zephaniah moved to Fort George Island in 1814 with his wife and three children (a fourth was born at Fort George).  
His wife Anna Madgigine Jai was from Senegal, West Africa and was purchased by Kingsley as a slave.  
She actively participated in plantation management acquiring her own land and slaves when she was freed in 1811.

Fort George River

The plantation produced Sea Cotton, citrus, sugar cane and corn.

The United States purchased Florida from Spain in 1821. 

The Spanish had different laws regarding races. 

Kingsley was against the laws and Anna Jai along with her sons moved to Haiti in 1837. 

This is where Kingsley established a colony for his family and some of his former slaves.

The Barn House

The Vegetable Garden 

The Kingsley Plantation

The plantation was sold to his nephew Kingsley Beatty Gibbs. Zephaniah Kingsley died in New York City in 1843.

The Plantation represents people, free and enslaved, ordinary and extraordinary, and their efforts to survive a changing land. 

You can explore their history and stories at this plantation. 

Anna has a story along with all those that once lived here. The plantation is undergoing a facelift so be sure to call before you visit. It is so worth it just to see the past. 

Our trip here was my first experience seeing actual slave cabins. Nearby is horseback riding on the beach and ferry which we rode both. 

The visit was just a trip back in history and well worth it. 

                                                                                                                

                                                                    Enjoying The Journey,

Kingsley Plantation
(904) 641-7155