In the early days of settling New Smyrna, the section (marked red) of King’s Road was completed, from St. Augustine to New Smyrna. In 1777 the Minorcans left New Smyrna with the permission of Governor Tonyn. This may have the road they traveled to St. Augustine. (The Minorcan Experience.)
James Grant to Andrew Turnbull
St. Augustine, April 26, 1767
“I send you a sketch of the (King’s) Road from this place to your plantation and Mr. Oswalds which has been blazed by Grey Eyes, an Indian friend of mine, with a number of his attendants, accompanied from here by Davis and Black Sandy, who served for an interpreter. My bargain with the Indians was no purchase, no pay; do the work first and then the reward. He knew the country well, agreed to my terms and did the business, though your friend the Engineer thought it impossible. Your Guide Cracker Johnstone was of the same opinion, and you may recollect that one day at dinner . . .
(The section of King’s Road from St. Augustine to New Smyrna was completed in 1767. Ed.)
“Davis is hunting for [wild game for] Penman, he will be back in time to meet your cattle at St. Johns [River] and to conduct them by the new road to the Mosquitoes. You have nothing to do with driving the cattle or with losses they may sustain upon the road. You are to pay twenty-seven to thirty shillings per head delivered to Davis at the Mosquitoes, to the amount of £500. The five hundred head are to be compleated for Mr. Penman and the division to be made at the (Mosquitoes), Davis to take care of yours and Upton to take charge of Mr. Penmans.
(Portion of letter from Grant to Turnbull – Florida History Online – UNF)
(Map image – from Flagler County Historical Society collection)