The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-07-06
AReminIscenee Of Life in FIorId. in 1sls.

Alta California says: An interesting in-
dent OF Southern life has been called to
the attention OF your correspondent. 1t
possesses sufficient that is curious and
historical, and at the same time novel,
to merit place among current news
who Is now Chief Clerk Of the General
Land Office in this city, and who was
formerly well-known journalist, re-
ceived certified copy Of the will Of Ze-
phaniah Kingsley. from Dockray, the
now celebrated victim Of Cuban patr'-
0tism and Spanish vengeance. The doc
ument was sent with a note, q copy Of
which Is as follows:
JACKsoNvILLE,F Florida, March 10, 1872.
Mr.. CURTIs-Dear Sir, Agreeable to
promise l herewith inclose to you the
last will and testament OF Zephaniah
Kingsley, an interesting and curious
place and subsequent events, 1t is GER
tainly remarkable. Yours truly.
7. A. DOCKRAY.
Zephaniah Kfngsley was once plant.
er and slave holder In Florida. He had
been prior to his settlement in Florida
In Africa, where he married an African
Princess named Madgigaine Toi in ac-
c0rdance with the laws OF the natives
and with native ceremonies. Her name
afterward appears as Anna Madgigaine
Toi Kingsley. He took his African
bride with him and settled in Florida.
1t appears, however, that he had ch.l-
dren by 0therwomen.i
In July, 1S43, he executed his last will
and testament. which is lengthy docu-
ment, setting forth In detail his various
bequests to wife, children and nephews.
The curious part of 1t is quoted, as fol-
lows:
"Eighth.-I DO hereby order and direct,
| whenever may happen to die, that my
body may be buried in the nearest, or
most convenient place, without any re-
ligious ceremony whatever, and that 1t
may be excused from the usual indis-
Greet formalities and parade Of washing,
dressing, &C.. or exposure in any way,
but removed just as it died to the CON-
mon burying ground.
| "Ninth.-Should leave any slaves, ]
earnestly recommend to my executors
them individually without their consent,
"Tenth.-It is my will, and I do here.
by authorize my executors not to sepa-
rate the families, but to allow to any oi
my slaves the privilege OF purchasing
their freedom at one-halt the price Of
their valuation on condition of their mi
grating to Haiti, IL they can not be al
lowed to stay as free in this territory.
"Eleventh.-Id do hereby appoint Kings
ley b. Gibbs, George Kingsley, and Ben
ljamin A. Putnam, guardians to my in
FAINT natural children, amongst which
acknowledge all those of Flora II. Kings
ley, Of Camp New Hope; also Saral
Murphy's mulatto child, Micanopy, nov
in Haiti.
II do most solemnly enjoin my coloret
and natural children that, seeing the il
liberal and inequitable laws Of this Ter
ritory will not afford to them and theil
i children that protection and justict
4 which lis due In civilized society to ey
i cry human being, always to keep b,
them will, ready made and legally exc
cuted, directing the disposal Of thei
property after their death, until they cal
remove themselves and property to some
land of liberty and equal rights, where
the conditions of society are governed
color. This l strongly recommend. Mo-
do know In what light the law may con
slider my acknowledged wife, A nna Mad
gigaine I'oi, as our connubfal relation!
took place In foreign land, where oul
marriage was celebrated and solemnizei
BY her native African customs, although
never celebrated according to the forms
of Christian usage; yet she has always
been respected as my wle, and as such
l acknowledge her, nor do l think thai
her truth, honor, integrity, moral con
1 duct or good sense will lose In compari
1 son with any one."
One of the daughters OF Kingsley mar
ried Colonel Sammis, who was U. s. Ta1
early part Of the Rebellion. His son, the
IQuadroon descendant Of the African
Princess, is now U. S. Consul at Stutt
Qart.