Mitchell Alderman, a pioneer settler of Hillsborough County, was a veteran of the Third Seminole and Civil wars and a cattleman.

James Alderman, father of Mitchell, was born in Duplin County, North Carolina on February 19, 1801. In 1815, he moved with his parents, David and Jemima (Hall) Alderman, to Bulloch County, Georgia, where he married Roxie Ann Holloway, born February 16, 1808, Bulloch County, daughter of William and Orpha Holloway. In 1827 James and Roxie relocated to Thomas County. About 1850, the family moved to Hillsborough County, where they settled along the Alafia River.

James is generally recognized to be the first person to settle in the area south of the Alafia River, with Alderman’s Ford, near his homestead, being the locale where he first crossed the river. A cattle rancher, James in 1853 paid taxes on 500 head of cattle and 900 head in 1855. The 1860 census of Hillsborough County noted that James had real estate valued at $1,500 and personal property of $10,100. Nearby neighbors includes sons Matthew, Mitchell, Timothy and Michael Alderman and sons-in-law, M. P. Lyons and William B. Moody.

Roxie Ann (Annie) Alderman died, probably, on March 6, 1868. James died on February 3, 1880 at the residence of Joshua Riggs, his son-in-law, in Manatee County. Burial was in Pelot’s Cemetery, near the Alafia River.

James and Roxie Alderman had fifteen children: Matthew, Jensie (Mrs. Charles Wesley Hendry), Timothy, Eliza (Mrs. Matthew P. Lyons), Mitchell, Elizabeth A. (Mrs. William F. Morrison), Michael, William, Susan (Mrs. Joshua D. Riggs), Rachel (Mrs. William B. Moody), Catherine (Mrs. David W. Gillette), Mary M. (married 1st Jacques Townsend, 2nd Frank M. Bryant), Nancy (Mrs. George Mitchell), David, and Hiram.

Mitchell Alderman was born November 18, 1833 in Thomas County, Georgia and moved with his parents to Hillsborough County. There on December 1, 1853, he married Lenora O’Neal, born July 17, 1838, daughter of Douglas O’Neal. Rev. J. M. Hayman officiated.

During the Third Seminole War, Mitchell served as a private in 1856 in Capt. William B. Hooker’s Company. Serving with him were his brothers, Matthew and William Alderman.

During the Civil War, he enlisted in Capt. John T. Lesley’s Company, CSA, of which Lesley was commissioned captain in July 1863 and served until paroled in May 1865 at Tampa on account of the close of the war.

Mitchell was a cattleman and a Baptist. He died on December 14, 1895 in Hillsborough County.

Under the Act of 1909 on February 8, 1910, Lenora C. Alderman, a resident of Wauchula, applied for a pension as the widow of Mitchell Alderman, who enlisted in April 1863 in Capt. John T. Lesley’s Company in the Confederate service until the close of the war. She stated she had continuously resided in the state of Florida since 1853. She swore that her property did not exceed the value of $5,000 and included: real estate located at Fort Green, $500; cattle, horses and other livestock, $1000; stocks, $200; total $1,700. Her postoffice address was Fort Green, County of DeSoto. Effie Rainey and J. B. Simmons attested to her application, while A. W. Hendry acted as notary public. W. A. Hendry and W. A. Alderman certified her statement. On February 14, 1910, John T. Lesley provided an affidavit that Mitchell Alderman had enlisted in his company and served faithfully until May 1865 on account of the close of the war. M. A. Sistrunk and G. W. Wells, both of Plant City, on February 19, 1910 provided affidavits that they had served with Mitchell. On March 7, 1910, the county commissioners of DeSoto County, consisting of C. L. Keene, W. J. Wingate, E. B. Huckaby, D. J. Farabee, and James Carlton, recommended that Lenora be granted a pension under the laws of Florida. Her claim # 5546 was approved and pay allowed from March 8, 1910 at the rate of $120 per annum.

Subsequently, on April 11, 1910, H. E. Carlton, clerk of the circuit court of DeSoto County, wrote the Board of Pensions: “It has been suggested to the county commissioners that Mrs. Lenora Alderman is not entitled to a pension and they suggest that you write to the following parties if you wish to investigate: Hon. F. B. Hagan, Pine Level, Fla.; Mr. N. C.. Platt, Lily, Fla.” On July 26, 1911, A. W. Hendry, acting in Lenora’s behalf, began a lengthy appeal.

On August 15, 1913, Lenora Alderman reapplied. She listed her property to consist of 250 head of cattle, valued at $2,500. She gave her postoffice address as Fort Green. The county commissioners of DeSoto County, consisting of V. W. Surrency, W. G. Welles, John Hagan, H. J. Downing, and Joseph Crews, on September 2, 1913 recommended that she be granted a pension under the laws of Florida. Her claim was reinstated with pay from July 1, 1913.

Lenora O’Neal Alderman died on July 7, 1915.

Mitchell and Lenora (O’Neal) Alderman had the following children:

1. Sarah Gertrude Alderman, born Nov. 4, 1854; died May 28, 1929; married on Dec. 28, 1871 Alfred Franklin Shuman.
2. Michael B. Alderman, born Jan. 23, 1856; died April 2, 1889; never married.
3. William M. Alderman, born March 9, 1857; died April 11, 1935; married on Feb. 29, 1884 Irene Shuman.
4. Mary Alderman, born Sept. 6, 1859; married Henry Craig.
5. Louisa Alderman, born July 4, 1861; died Dec. 23, 1920; married on April 25, 1883 Thomas Branch.
6. Clifford Lavonia Alderman, born March 19, 1863; died Dec. 1893; married on Jan. 4, 1883 William Filmore Mizell.
7. Jacques Alderman, born March 29, 1866; died Jan. 7, 1929; married in 1886 Martha J. Hancock.
8. Jency Dora Alderman, born Jan. 22, 1869; died Dec. 19, 1902; married on Aug. 20, 1886 James Samuel Hancock.
9. Susan J. Alderman, born June 20, 1872; died Dec. 1954; married in Jan. 1890 Frank Turner.
10. James Elam Alderman, born June 12, 1873; died Jan. 24, 1955; married on Sept. 8, 1892 Avannah Hendry.

References: Kyle VanLandingham, “James Alderman 1801-1880,” South Florida Pioneers 14 (Oct. 1977), pages 15-16; William Alderman Parker, Aldermans in America, pages 430-431; pension application of Lenora Alderman.

This was published in The Herald-Advocate, 5A, (Wauchula, Fla.) of July 13, 2006.

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