TUSTENUGGEE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH CEMETERY, Ft. White, Columbia County, Florida

Tustenuggee United Methodist Church is a small church near Fort White, Florida in southern Columbia County. The name was derived from the friendly relationship of Chief Halpatter Tustenuggee and the white settlers. "One day during Sunday services at this church, while the Indian raids were going on, the Indians surrounded the church on the war path! No settlers were killed, (they were armed--even in church in those days) but 8 Indians were killed and the congregation buried them there that same day." This is a quote from a history written in 1991. There is a marker in the cemetery for the graves of the chief and nine of his braves. There is a discrepancy on the dates of the founding of the church.There are references to an old log house dating back to 1825-26, possibly a tool shed that belonged to Major John Bellamy while he was building the "Old Bellamy Road", where neighbors gathered for worship. A meeting was held at the home of Charles H.B. Collins in 1846 to organize the Tustenuggee Church. A log building was erected the same year. A permanent church was build in 1869 with planks. It was blown down in the 'Big Storm of 1896'. The members rebuilt their church from heart pine and storm-downed trees.