Mosquito County, Florida

{{Short description|Former county in Florida, United States}} {{Use American English|date=January 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2026}} {{Infobox settlement |name=Mosquito County |settlement_type=Former county |image_map=Mosquito County.xcf |subdivision_type= Country |subdivision_name=United States |subdivision_type1=State |subdivision_name1=Florida |subdivision_type3=County seat |subdivision_name3=near Ormond (1824–1835),<br/>New Smyrna (1835–1843),<br/>Enterprise (1843–1844)<ref name="bcsh">[http://johneriksen.net/feb/BooksByEbook-Browser/BrevardCountyHistoryTo1955.pdf Eriksen, John M., ''Brevard County...A Short History to 1955'']</ref> |established_title=Founded |established_date=December 29, 1824<ref name="bcsh"/> |established_title2=Disestablished |established_date2=March 14, 1844<ref name="bcsh"/> | area_total_sq_mi = | area_land_sq_mi = | population_as_of=1830 | population_total = 733 (15 heads of families) | density_km2 = }}

'''Mosquito County''' (also labeled on maps as '''Musquito County''') is the historic name of an early county that once comprised most of the eastern part of Florida. Its land included all of present-day Volusia, Brevard, Indian River, St. Lucie, Marion, Martin, Seminole, Osceola, Orange, Lake, Polk and Palm Beach counties.

Mosquito County was disbanded in 1844.

== History == The whole east coast of central Florida was known as "Los Musquitos" starting from the 1500s until 1844.<ref name="bcsh"/>

After Andrew Jackson received authority to take possession of the Florida territory ceded by Spain in 1821, he divided the whole territory into two counties, along the Suwannee River.<ref name="bcsh"/> All of the area west formed Escambia, and all of it east formed St. Johns County.<ref name="bcsh"/> This was largely consistent with the previously existing British colonies of West Florida and East Florida.

Mosquito County was split off from St. Johns on December 29, 1824, and the county seat was designated at John Bunch's house just west of the present location of Tomoka State Park.<ref name="bcsh"/> At roughly {{convert|220|mi}} long by {{convert|90|mi}} wide, it was the largest county in the new territory.<ref name="bcsh"/>

In 1830, the census listed 15 heads of households, and a total of 733 persons, mostly slaves.<ref name="stone">Stone, Elaine Murray, ''Brevard County From Cape of the Canes to Space Coast''</ref> In January 1835, the county seat was moved to New Smyrna on Bunch's forced-labor farm.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 20, 2009 |title=National Register of Historic Places Registration form: Warlow, Thomas Picton Sr. House |url=https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/45ca8d74-a892-4bd5-ba03-ad207427bad2/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240523163914/https://npgallery.nps.gov/GetAsset/45ca8d74-a892-4bd5-ba03-ad207427bad2/ |archive-date=May 23, 2024 |access-date=May 23, 2024}}</ref> However, the Second Seminole War had largely depopulated Mosquito County of white settlers by the end of that year.<ref name="hob">Shofner, Jerrell H., ''History of Brevard County Volume 1''</ref> In 1838, there was so little activity in the county that the St. Johns County Clerk was designated to keep the records of the county.<ref name="hob"/> However, by 1840, although the census listed no white inhabitants other than the military personnel based at Fort Pierce and New Smyrna,<ref name="stone"/> the county had its own officials.<ref name="hob"/>

In 1841, legislation was introduced and passed to rename the county "Leigh Read County". However the governor did not sign the bill within the legal time, so the renaming did not take place.

In 1842, the Armed Occupation Act was passed, providing a quarter section ({{convert|160|acre|ha|disp=x| or }}) to any head of family who settled on property south of Ocala/Ormond.<ref name="stone"/>

In 1843, the county seat had moved again to Enterprise.

In 1844, the expansive area of Mosquito County was cut in half with the southern half being named St. Lucie County, and the northern half being renamed Orange County.<ref name="hob"/> St. Lucie County was renamed Brevard County in 1855.<ref name="hob"/>

== References == {{Reflist}}

==Further reading== * {{cite book |title=Historical Sketch of Mosquito County |publisher=Works Progress Administration Historical Records Survey. |date=c. 1939 |last=Chaffer |first=H. J. |url=https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/321144 }} {{Coord|29.3085|-81.0960|display=title}} {{Geography of Florida}} {{Florida}}

{{authority control}} Category:Regions of the United States Category:1824 establishments in Florida Territory Category:1844 disestablishments in Florida Territory Category:Former counties of Florida Category:History of Florida Category:History of Brevard County, Florida Category:Osceola County, Florida Category:Orange County, Florida Category:Volusia County, Florida