232 years of Minorcan History

 

MINORCAN CLAM CHOWDER



Minorcans were residents of a Spanish island brought here as indentured servants (slaves by signed contract) by the British, who walked in 1777 from the British indigo colony New Smyrna Beach to St. Augustine.  They were "voting with their feet".

Their families still live in St. Augustine and are proud of their precious cultural heritage, which they have helped preserve.  In 1865, indentured servitude was abolished by the Thirteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution (also abolishing slavery).

"Our Minorcan family has lived here for some 230 years. For our 450th, to save St. Augustine, our city needs a national historical park, seashore and scenic coastal highway to showcase to the world and to preserve forever our precious cultural, environmental and wildlife heritage."

Drayton Manucy, St. Augustine Record, October 6, 2007

---