A Signature From the Past: Hattie French’s Autograph Book Reveals a Connection to Orange City History
Mrs. Harriet “Hattie” French Levitt with husband, W. F. Leavitt, and children. Source: VIA Archives
Recent historical research has uncovered a fascinating piece of local history: the childhood autograph book of Hattie French, daughter of prominent Orange City pioneer Sen. Dr. Seth French.
The beautifully preserved book dates to Hattie’s years as a student at Ferry Hall Preparatory School (later known as Lake Forest Academy) in Lake Forest, Illinois, and offers a rare glimpse into the friendships, education, and social life of a young woman whose family would become closely connected to the early history of Orange City.
A Young Woman’s Treasured Autograph Book
Long before yearbooks and social media, young people collected memories of their friends and classmates in autograph or signature books.
Filled with signatures, poetry, personal messages, ciphers, sentimental sayings, and small pieces of verse, these books were treasured keepsakes. The tradition dates back centuries, with autograph books becoming particularly popular among students.
Today, surviving examples—especially those that remain complete and in good condition—can provide historians with valuable clues about relationships between families, schools, and communities.
Hattie French’s autograph book. Source: VIA Archives
Hattie French Goes to School
Commencement at the Ferry Hall School in 1905.
As a young woman, Hattie French attended Ferry Hall during the 1873–1874 school term, where she studied music.
Her autograph book suggests that Hattie also enjoyed a rich social life. Entries span the years 1874 through 1878 and include signatures and messages from classmates, friends, and acquaintances.
Some of the names are connected to places that will sound very familiar to local history enthusiasts—including Blue Spring, as the Orange City area was then known, and Mellonville, an early settlement that later became part of Sanford.
Each signature provides another small piece of the puzzle, helping us better understand the social connections between the families who helped shape Central Florida during the late 1800s.
The French Family Comes to Orange City
Fairview Cottage at 319 East French Avenue was built for Dr. Seth French in 1876.
Hattie was the daughter of Sen. Dr. Seth French, a physician, politician, and prominent figure in the early development of Orange City. French was a member of the Florida Senate in 1879 and a Civil War Hero.
In 1876, Dr. French moved his family from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, to Orange City, Florida.
The family established their home at the corner of Oak Avenue and East French Avenue, where Dr. French built a two-story residence known as Fairview Cottage.
It was here that another important chapter of Hattie’s life would unfold.
Later, the family moved to Sanford, where their history is beautifully documented at the The Museum of Seminole County History. A major highway running through Sanford, SR 17-92, is known as Seth French Blvd.
A Christmas Dance and a Love Story
A love note from W.F. Leavitt to Hattie
On December 22, 1876, Hattie attended a Christmas dance at the Sturdivant House in Orange City.
There she met W. F. Leavitt, the young man who would eventually become her husband.
That Christmas dance marked the beginning of their relationship. A love note from W.F. to Hattie is memorialized in Hattie’s autograph book, in which he laments, “For I fear I have nothing original in me Excepting Original Sin.” Hattie and W. F. Leavitt were married in the French family home in 1879.
What began as a meeting at an Orange City Christmas celebration became part of the stories of Orange City & Sanford.
Hattie’s Later Years
Hattie lived to see tremendous changes in Central Florida during her lifetime.
She died on June 20, 1929, in Sanford, Florida, at the age of 69.
She was survived by two daughters, Mrs. Frances Hayman and Mrs. J. E. Terwilleger; a son, William A. Leavitt; her sister, Mrs. Adele Lane; her brother, A. V. French; and six grandchildren.
Nearly a century after her death, Hattie’s little autograph book is helping tell her story once again.
History Hidden in the Pages
At first glance, an old autograph book might seem like little more than a charming family keepsake. But documents like Hattie French’s can become valuable historical records.
A name, date, hometown, poem, or personal message can reveal relationships that might otherwise have disappeared from the historical record.
In Hattie’s case, the pages of a young woman’s treasured book have survived for more than 150 years—and are now helping us better understand the people, friendships, and family connections woven into the early history of Orange City and Central Florida.
More Fascinating Stories of Orange City, Florida
In “Our Story of Orange City Florida”
🍊 William Holley was the first person to plant an orange grove in Orange City, establishing his grove west of what would later become Carpenter Avenue.
🍊 The Dickinson family played an important role in preserving one of Orange City’s historic landmarks. They had Albertus Cottage moved from the library area to its present location at the corner of South Holly and Rose Avenues.
🍊 The devastating Big Freeze of 1894–1895 changed Orange City dramatically. The citrus industry that had helped build the community was nearly destroyed, and the town entered a long period of isolation and inactivity. As one historical account describes it, “Orange City slept.”
🍊 Despite the decline of the citrus industry, Orange City became famous for another natural resource—its spring water. Orange City water was bottled and shipped by truck and railroad tank cars throughout Florida, across the United States, and even to Europe. One of its most famous customers was John D. Rockefeller Sr., who wintered in nearby Ormond. Rockefeller reportedly had Orange City water sent to him wherever he traveled and even used it for bathing.
🍊 On August 26, 1882, Orange City was officially incorporated. Its name reflected the thousands of acres of thriving orange groves that surrounded the community. Tragically, just twelve years later, the Big Freeze devastated the citrus groves that had given the city its name.
You can read these fascinating stories… and many others…in Our Story of Orange City. It makes a wonderful gift!