User talk:184.91.2.104

The article states ... "... Sheldon, his family, and resident slaves fled to the mainland across the Halifax River."

This is a bit confusing to New Smyrna Beach locals. The sugar mill is already situated on the "mainland."

If the mill custodians crossed the Halifax(/Indian) river, they would be "beachside." In the early 19th century, "beachside" would have been a swampy mosquito- and possibly Seminole-infested jungle. It seems unlikely the custodians would have sought refuge or assistance there.

Fine point: The river changes names at Ponce Inlet (about 5 miles NNE of the sugar mill). North of the inlet, it's called the Halifax; south of the inlet, the Indian. I am not sure when that naming convention was applied, but today, the Indian River is closer to the sugar mill. To add further uncertainty, the river was historically called the Mosquito by early explorers and settlers.

Cheers :)