People
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Oral History: Justice James E. C. Perry
July 18, 2025Bradlee-McIntyre House MuseumLongwood Florida Justice James E. C. Perry was interviewed by Jason Byrne, president of the Longwood Historic Society. He has led a remarkable life, marked by significant achievements, including marching with Martin Luther King Jr., battling the State of Georgia to secure equal access to the Georgia Bar, establishing a law practice in Seminole County, and ultimately becoming the first black Supreme Court Justice in Florida. He and his wife, Adrienne (former Longwood mayor), have lived in Longwood for around fifty years now in the same home. He retired from the bench in 2016.
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Oral History: Dr. Adrienne Perry
July 18, 2025Bradlee-McIntyre House MuseumLongwood Florida Dr. Adrienne Mills Perry was interviewed by Jason Byrne, president of the Longwood Historic Society. She shared with us her life story, from her childhood through her career as an educator and politician, and her subsequent activities in retirement. Dr. Perry was raised in Harlem, suffered racism in Georgia, and moved to Seminole County in 1975. She became the second black elected official in Seminole County in 1989. Read More
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Joe Tinker: From Baseball Legend to Central Florida Developer
Joseph Bert Tinker, born in Muscotah, Kansas, on July 27, 1880, rose to national fame as a professional baseball player, primarily as a shortstop for the Chicago Cubs. His career spanned from 1902 to 1916, during which he also played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Chicago Whales of the Federal League. Tinker was a key member of the Chicago Cubs dynasty that dominated the National League in the early 20th century, winning four pennants and two World Series championships between 1906 and 1910. He was renowned for his defensive skills and speed. Alongside teammates Johnny Evers and Frank Chance,…
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Oral History: Lethesa Reliford
Interview of Lethesa Reliford by Helene Zebrauskas, as part of the Keeper of Stories project at the Seminole County Library. Transcript Helene ZebrauskasThis oral history interview recording is being made as part of The Keeper of Stories collection for the Seminole County Public Library. These interviews capture the stories and experiences of residents in the area, and students and educators from the Rosenwald School located in East Altamonte, Florida. Today is Wednesday, April 24th, 2024. My name is Helene Zebrauskas, and I’m interviewing Ms. Lethesa Reliford at the Central Branch Library in Casselberry, FL. Ms. Reliford, do I have permission…
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James Russell Grant
James Russell Grant, with his wife Ruth and children, moved to Longwood in 1945. The Grants quickly made friends and soon became involved in the community. When the Seminole County School Board wanted to close Lyman School and bus students, grades one through twelve, to Sanford for school, Grant was a leader among the residents who insisted Lyman School remain open. In 1948, he partnered with Frank Griffin, a friend and Longwood resident. Together, they repaired bulldozers, draglines, and other heavy equipment. Later, Grant formed Grant’s Crawler Parts and Service. Inc. He maintained his bulldozer repair, welding, and parts business…
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Reverend Eleanor Ruth Ansley Grant
Eleanor Ruth Grant moved to Longwood in 1945 with her husband, James Russell Grant, and their 3 children, Shirley, Sybil, and Frederick. Later, Richard and Patsy were added to the family. Before marriage, Ruth Ansley Grant was active in church work, and her abiding faith led her into the ministry. A trailblazer for women in this field, Mrs. Grant became one of the earliest female ministers in the United Pentecostal Church in 1947. She was active in forming Pentecostal churches in Cassia, Belleview, Apopka, Orlando, and Longwood. Conducting prayer meetings in her home and neighbors’ homes, she started the First…
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Nancy Hooker Frain Stevens Memorial
Written by Fern Augusta Frain Whitehead about her mother A special lady, valued above the price of rubes and then some. A loving wife and mother, much loved grandmother, and very huggable great-grandma to six little munchkins. Grandpa Hooker built the farmhouse. His friend Oscar Frain pitched in to help and fell in love with his winsome 16-year-old daughter Nancy. Like her mother, petite Nancy was a fine cook, with bright blue eyes and ready smile. The house overlooked Trout Lake, which is right behind the present Milwee Middle School, which originally was Lyman, grades 1 through 8, until they…
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Heath/Driggers/Arnett/Eckles Genealogy
Family Bible Presented to Harriett Drusilla Driggers Heath from your brother Augusta (?) March 9, 1889 ~~~~~~ Family Record of Births Deaths
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Hooker/Frain/Whitehead/Barnes Genealogy
Births Marriages Deaths * = Buried in Concord Cemetery, Casselberry
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Letter from Fern Augusta Frain Whitehead
Narrative of remembrances by “Grammy” (Fern Augusta Frain Whitehead, typed by Janet Whitehead). Written to her great-granddaughter in December 2014. Dear Grace, I was born January 28, 1914. I was so glad to receive your letter asking questions about my life. It was nice of you to be interested. I’ve heard you are very good at reading & writing, just like your Mother. Mostly, though, I was just happy to hear from my great-granddaughter, because I love you very much. I was a very good student like you, but now that I’m past 100, it’s getting harder to think about…