In a generous mood the King of England granted a tract of land in Florida to Andrew Trunbull, a stern, cruel Scotchish nobleman. Knowing that it would be hard to get laborers to work on his plantation, on his way to America, he stopped at the island of Minorca with an unjust plan. The natives of this island, tall, large bone, blood (popular belief is that Minorcans are dark, but the real Minorcans, descendents of the Corinthians are blond) men and women were poor and hard pressed and were willing to listen to Turnbull's scheme. He told the natives he would take them to Florida with him and there they could start life anew. He described the land as being rich in minerals and plenty of good farm land for everyone. Trusting and eager nearly a thousand Minorcans came with Turnbull. Most of them brought their families and furnishings ready to make a new house.
Among these unfortunate victims was Bartolome Masters and his wife and children, natives of Mahon, Minorca. Bartolome was eager to build a home in this "promiced land" where he could farm and give his family a comfortable living.
In the year 1768 this trusting band of Minorcans landed on the east coast of Florida and settled on the site of what is now New Smyrna. Having arrived at his plantation Turnbull literally enslaved the Minorcans, treating them with the greatest cruelty. He broke all the promises which he had made them and laughed at their pleas to be freed in order that they might farm for themselves.
The oldest son of Bartolome Masters was Peter Masters, a strong youth who was a very close friend of Dr. Camps, pastor of the little flock of Minorcans. Peter did not like to see his family and friends treated so cruely and finally he won Dr. Camps over to making plans for escape. These plans were not destined to go into effect until nearly nine years later. These holy people bore their sufferings patiently under the spiritual guidance of the beloved Dr. Camps.
In 1772 Peter Masters married Maria Andrew, and sweet young girl who was a native of Mercadel, Minorca. Maria's parents had also come over with the treacherous Turnbull. Peter and Maria were as happy as they could be under the conditions in which they had to live and after two years there was born to them a son, who they named Bartolo, after Peter's father Bartolome. Bartolo was baptized by Dr. Camps and his baptism recorded in the Golden Book of the Minorcans.
Five long years passed and finally the time came when the Minorcans were able to leave New Smyrna. They traveled north for about seventy miles and settled in the city of St. Augustine. Here they were happy and free.
Peter and his family, which had increased by this time, owned a little farm in St. Augustine and there they lived very comfortable.
When Bartolo was twenty years old he married Mariana Lorenzo, a robust girl of eighteen, daughter of Juan and Maria Lorenzo. Bartolo and Mariana lived the life of good Christian farmers and had a farge family. The second child, and son, was named Bartolo Masters for his father.
Bartolo was a good son but he did not especially care for farming, so his father set him up a blacksmith apprentice. After his apprenticeship was over Bartolo got a blacksmith shop of his own. It was located on Smithy Ally (now "Cuna St.) down on the corner facing the bay. Bartolo had a good business. One of his best customers was an old English General who was stationed at the fort.
In 1819 Bartolo married Juanita Baya, the beautiful daughter of Jose Baya. Jose Baya was a well-to-do, cattleman, in fact one of the richest in the vicinity of St. Augustine, and he had spoiled Juanita. But Juanita loved Bartolo and was willing to live the life he could provide for her. She was willing to give up her fine friends and home; willing to wear calico and cotton dresses instead of the silks, satins and velvets she had been used t wearing. Nine children were born to this happy couple. One of the youngest, Bernard (born 1842) was a favorite of his grandfather Jose Baya and stayed part of the time with him on his big cattle ranch. Most of the work on the cattle ranch was done by negro slaves. Every year Jose Baya would go to Savannah, Georgia to the large slave market there. He would buy slaves for foorty dollars a head and bring them back to St. Augustine with him. Jose treated his slaves justly and they were on a whole good, faithful negors. One very old negro man by the name of Eli became very attached to little Bernard and many a time kept him out of trouble and often out of danger.
When Jose Baya died he left his property to Bernard. The cattle ranch was located on the Jacksonville road where the Golf Links now stand. This was a good two hours ride from town in a horse and buggy.
On Sundays after Mass, Bernard would take his father and mother and brothers and sisters out to the ranch, which by this time had become more of a farm, due to the greater demand for farm produce. They would take their time, going slowly along the dirt roads. Often the younger ones would have to jump out and push the wagon because the sand had become so deep and dry. It would be dinner time by the time they arrived. After dinner those who felt like it would take a walk in the beautiful pine woods. After an early supper they would have to start the long ride home. This was a typical Sunday of Bartolo Masters and his family.
In 1868 Bernard Masters married Carolyn Lopez. Carolyn was the daughter of Ignatius Lopez and Margareta Capellia. (It has always been told that Margareta Capellia was the first white child born in Florida after the American Flag after the American Flag took the place of the Spanish Flag.) Carolyn had eight sisters but four died when they were very young during a yellow fever epidemic.
Bernard and Carolyn built a large house which stills stands today on San Marco Ave. They reared a family of five girls, Viola Rosa, Maud, Hattie and Bernice. These five girls were close in age and grew up in happy comradship. In their back yard there was a huge grape arbor. The girls would take their dolls or sewing there and spend many a happy afternoon chatting.
There were no movies and dances to entertain they. There were picnics, straw rides and imformal parties at private homes.
One of Carolyn's sisters lived on Charlotte Street. Maud and Bernice would go and visit her quite often. It was not uncommon to see an Indian walking down the street and many a time Maud and Bernice would go to the end of the street by the fort and trade cookies with the little Indians for bright beads.
When Maud was eighteen she married J. Herbert Colee, son of Mercedes Reyes and Louis a. Colee. Herbert was half owner of a large dry goods store which was located where the McCrary Story now stands. Maud and Herbert had four children, Helen, Bernard, Frank and Margaret.
On January 20, 1921, Helen married John William Brennar, a native of Holland who had come to America as a boy. Of this marriage there were born two girls, Cecilia Maria and Mary Neil.
Note
In this essay I had underlined all my direct ancestors and have attempted in an informal way to write a brief history of my family.