New Smyrna in eastern Florida was a semi-tropical, sweltering, swampy, mosquito infested, desolate area of more than 100,000 acres surrounded by hostile Indians. To this group of settlers were added slaves and managers (supervisors).

Needless to say, with few accommodations and little food, and supervised by mean overlords and supervisors, the people felt betrayed and disappointed, certainly unhappy and quite angry. Soon there was a rebellion and attempted escapes.

Persecutions on top of malaria and other diseases led to many deaths, and it was not long before desperation set in, leading to savage behaviors on both sides. Yes, the cotton and indigo began to be produced and some money was to be made, but the promised land after 3 years did not materialize and things continued to deteriorate …

More deaths and many more attempted escapes, led to an investigation by the provincial governor leading to the arrest of Turnbull and his henchmen.

The war of 1776 up north was already underway complicating matters a bit, but by 1777 the colony was disbanded. There are accounts that the colony had been reduced to between 400 to 500 colonists which included their American born offspring.

The survivors scattered but many settled in St. Augustine and assimilated with the other inhabitants. Their identity for the most part was lost.