John Milton

John Milton

Florida Division of Library & Information Services

Quick Facts

Significance:

Civil War governor of Florida

Place Of Birth:

near Louisville, GA

Date Of Birth:

April 20, 1807

Place Of Death:

near Marianna, FL

Date Of Death:

April 1, 1865

Place Of Burial:

Marianna, FL

Cemetery Name:

St. Luke's Episcopal Cemetery

John Milton was a lawyer, Florida state legislator, early advocate of secession and Governor of Florida during the Civil War. He is best remembered for his final message to the state legislature in which he said that Northerners "have developed a character so odious that death would be preferable to reunion with them." On April 1, 1865, he committed suicide at his plantation "Sylvania" by a gunshot to the head.