Reddick family story
It was the year of our Lord, 1855, when a horse and wagon rumbled its way southward and finally stopped in a small community that would later be known as Archer. The caravan started out from Early County, Georgia and in one of the wagons was a three week old baby that rode along in the wagon whose name was Priscilla Reddick. The parents accompanied their baby as much as possible, Mr. (Rev.) Major Redick and his wife, Daphney Robinson Reddick were proud parents. According to records, they were watching closely over the welfare of the newly born 3 week old baby girl, Priscilla. They also had their two sons with them, Rinaldi “Nally” Reddick and Abraham “Abe” Reddick.
Slavery was strong in those days and traveling was limited to black people during that time. After settling in Archer, Florida, Rev. Reddick applied for land through the Homestead Act. After cultivating the land and building a home, he was awarded the land patent for 39.98 acres. Later, he would give one acre of this land to establish Bethelhem M.E. Church.
From documents we have discovered, the Reddicks were active in the Archer community. Major and Nally purchased land through the Homestead Act. Major, Nally, Abe, and Albert are listed in many mortgage and deed documents as they bought and sold land and goods. In 1893, Major Reddick granted land to the South Florida Railroad Company and he is listed as the minster of record on several marriage licesnses in Alachua County. His name has been prominently placed in books documenting the Rosewood tragedy as the minister who married several of the local couples.
Perhaps most important to note in this election year is that our ancestors VOTED. In documents recently discovered, we find the names of Major, Nally, and Abe testifying for Congress in two contested elections for Senate in Florida (1876 and 1880). They voted Republican.