Knott House: built by a free Black man, where freedom was read on May 20, 1865 (Tallahassee, 1843 and 1865)
Record: the document says itPattern: documents line upLens: our readingOpen: not yet proven
Year: 1843 · Places: Florida
SUMMARYKnott House: built by a free Black man, where freedom was read on May 20, 1865 (Tallahassee, 1843 and 1865) [Connections: Tallahassee & Orlando, Nov 5, 2026]
RECORDThe state historical marker says "Evidence points to George Proctor, a free black man," as the probable builder of the house in 1843. Brig. Gen. McCook used it as Union headquarters and read the Emancipation Proclamation from its front steps on May 20, 1865. Later owner George Betton paid for the medical education of William Gunn, "a former slave," who became Florida's first Black physician
PATTERNFlorida's freedom day happened in a house the marker credits to a free Black builder
LENS (WW9)The house where freedom was announced was likely built by our own hands
OPENProctor's ancestry and records (free people of color registers, Leon County deeds) need deep research
SOURCEFlorida Historical Marker: Knott House (Florida Division of Historical Resources), 301 E. Park Ave., erected 1998.