This month, the Rotary Club of Palatka undertook a service project to restore the grave of William Dunn Moseley, Florida’s first governor. He is buried at West View Cemetery in Palatka, where his grave marker had become dirty and overgrown from years of pollution, dirt, tree sap, algae, and lichen.
William Moseley was born in North Carolina on February 1, 1795. He began his legal career there before moving to Florida in 1835. Florida became the 27th state in the Union on March 3, 1845, and that same year, Moseley won the first statewide election for governor.
After his term, Moseley settled in Palatka, where he became a planter, focusing on cultivating citrus. He passed away on January 4, 1863.
We extend our gratitude to club member Bob Taylor, who led this significant service project. Regular maintenance like this is crucial for preserving the appearance and integrity of historical markers, helping us in our mission of preserving our past.
