Tucked away on a moss-draped parcel of land in Fleming Island, a midcentury brick ranch home for sale may seem fairly nondescript — well-maintained and spacious, but otherwise not terribly exciting, except for the view.
A Piece of Local History
Its location on 5.65 acres at the edge of the St. Johns River offers stunning water vistas that instantly provide a note of serenity at the beginning or end of each day. This particular piece of real estate, however, also conveys with a big helping of local history.
The parcel was originally part of a sprawling plantation belonging to the Fleming family, for whom the community of Fleming Island was named. Yes, it really is an island, bounded by Black Creek, the St. Johns River, and Swimming Pen Creek. The fourth water boundary is identified on surveys as impassable wetlands, which could be the source of some confusion. More than two centuries ago, it may have been a more pronounced stretch of open water, but time (and development) have a way of blurring some lines.
In the late 1700s, an Irishman named George Fleming, employed by a shipping firm in Charleston, S.C., was sent to St. Augustine. He was so captivated by the city that he decided not to return. He married Dona Sophia Phillipa Fatio, and together they received a Spanish land grant of approximately 1,000 acres, which became known as Fleming's Island. He named his estate Hibernia, the Latin name for his native Ireland.
A postcard showing the Fleming family home in its later incarnation as a hotel after the Civil War.
In 1856, George Fleming began construction on a large, two-story white colonnaded structure, which stood for nearly 100 years. Today, the legacy of the Fleming family continues with two descendants still owning small portions of the original grant.
A Family Legacy
One of those descendants is Margot Fleming Ritchie, a direct descendant currently residing in Texas with her family. Her husband, Scott, an educator turned historian, delved into the family history and authored the book, "The Flemings of Fleming Island." Their children proudly represent the seventh generation of the Fleming family.
This home is on the parcel of property originally owned by the family named for Fleming Island.
The current 4,077-square-foot home at 6975 Old Church Road, listed as a pending sale for $2,850,000, holds its own special connection to the Fleming family. Ralph Gibson and his wife acquired the original home in the mid-1950s, hoping to restore the century-old structure. Although they discovered significant termite damage and were forced to demolish the building, they salvaged many architectural features, including bricks from the original fireplaces, windows, beams, and flooring.
Preserving History
Added to the property by George Fleming's grandson, Frederic A. Fleming, are a spring-fed pool and bathhouse believed to be among the oldest in use in Florida. Frederic kept the family homestead thriving as a resort after the passing of his mother, Margaret Seton Fleming, in 1878. The story of Margaret's life was the inspiration for the novel "Margaret's Story" by Eugenia Price.
The bathhouse and pool are reportedly among the oldest in Florida still in existence. Efforts are underway to secure a historic marker.
The current trust for the property on Old Church Road ensures that only one home can be built on the land and prohibits subdivision. This brings some comfort to the Fleming family members who are concerned about preserving their physical legacy. St. Margaret's Episcopal Church, which holds a significant place in the family's history, remains a tangible part of that legacy.
"The most likely piece to survive another few generations is St. Margaret's Episcopal Church," says Scott Ritchie. "Several extended family members, as well as others who are not family, are very concerned about its future."
As the sale of this historic Fleming Island property continues, it marks the beginning of a new era while honoring its rich past.
