Samuel Edward Hope (c. 1833–1919) was a Democratic Party member of the Florida State Legislature in 1867 and a Confederate officer during the American Civil War. He saw action against African-American "guerillas" during the war. Hope represented Hernando County in the legislature.
Hope fought against Native Americans in Florida and worked as a surveyor.The United Daughters of the Confederacy Magazine He also bid on mail carrying routes.
He began his military career as a quartermaster for Florida troops organized by General Jessie Carter, and attained the rank of captain, and later "organized a company of Florida soldiers at the outbreak of the Civil War"."Fought In Indian As Well As Civil War", The Tampa Tribune (October 19, 1916), p. 7. Around that time, Hope and his business partner W. W. Wall also advanced goods and funds to men holding state-issued certificates in connection with the Indian Wars, expecting prompt repayment after the war, although that would not end up being the case."State Given Funds to Meet Old Obligations", Tampa Bay Tribune (April 19, 1919), p. 6. Near the end of the war, Hope "was badly wounded at the battle of Reams Station in Virginia".
He was an early resident of Tarpon Springs and advocated for construction of the Anclote Keys Light on Anclote Key.
From 1903 to 1913, Hope continued to press claims with the state legislature that he and others were owed compensation for funds advanced during the Seminole Indian wars."Capt. Hope Is Still Hoping", The Tampa Times (May 31, 1913), p. 12. At the age of eighty, Hope said:
In 1915, at the age of 82, Hope was praised for actively campaigning in favor of a bond issue for road improvements in Pinellas County, Florida."One Florida Cracker", Tampa Bay Times (August 21, 1915), p. 6. The state finally paid the bulk of Hope's claims for his advances made in 1861 in 1919—the year that Hope died.
References
Further reading Forging the Florida Frontier: The Life and Career of Samuel E. Hope by Joe Knetsch, The Sunland Tribune of the Tampa Historical Society, 20, November 1994 pages 32 – 40
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