January 28, 1766

Journal Entry

"Fine morning; set down Dunn’s lake, the west side of which is generally pine-land, but at the head westward are some very good swamps, which hold generally down the river; squire Roll claims all the north or north-east side from his town to the head of the lake; from the lower end of which ‘tis reckoned 13 miles to the river, thence down to Roll’s 4; on the west side of the river is a very rich extensive marsh, which colonel Middleton claims; about one o’clock we arrived at Charlottenburgh, Roll’s town, and staid all night."

From 1765 to 1784, Denys Rolle’s huge tract of nearly 80,000 acres had a residential center at today’s East Palatka, seen here on the far side of the bridge. The residential complex at Rollestown, also known as Charlotta and Charlottenburgh, was located opposite the narrow spit of land seen on the right in this view. Modern maps often refer to the location as the Devils Elbow. The deck with picnic tables and benches behind the Burger King restaurant on State Road 17 is a good vantage point to view the bluff that was the setting for the town.

Plat Map of Denys Rolle' Land Holdings. Courtesy of the National Archive, Kew, England. Computer adaptation by Theresa St. John, University of North Florida.

January 29, 1766

Journal Entry

"Fine clear morning and warm day, like the first of our May; walked all about the town and adjacent woods: near the banks of the river are the remains of an old Spanish entrenchment, 12 yards one way and 14 the other, about 5 foot high; on three sides being open to the river; the town is half a mile long, with half a score of scattered houses in it, built of round loggs; the streets are laid out at right angles, one of them is 100 foot broad, the other 60; the land back is all pine and scrub-oaks; the bluff continues half a mile down the river, which is 7 fathom deep near the town, but towards the opposite shore there is a sand-bar, it is not above half a mile wide here, but soon widens above."

East Palatka Today. Photograph by Daniel L. Schafer.

East Palatka Today. Photograph by Daniel L. Schafer.

East Palatka Today. Photograph by Daniel L. Schafer.

Commentary

William Bartram lodged for a night at "Villa Role" during his 1774 journey on the St. Johns River. In "Report to Dr. Fothergill," he wrote: "This place was settled about twelve years ago by D. Role Esqr. The situation is very high & pleasant. St. Johns being much narrower here than any where below, & very deep, here are only a few People that has the care of the houses & Stock belonging to Mr. Role. this place is at present in a ruinous state; tho I think a very proper & agreeable situation for a Town. It is about Ninety miles above the mouth of the River, & 35 Miles by land to St. Augustine."