The Gamble Plantation, Ellenton, Florida.

In 1844, Maj. Robert Gamble was one of the first settlers of the southwest Florida area. Far from the resources of civilization, Gamble built onr of the most successful sugar plantations in Florida. Covering 3,500 acres along the Manatee River, Gamble produced sugar cane, molasses, citrus, wild grapes and olives.

In 1925, the mansion was designated the Judah P. Benjamin Confederate Memorial. The name was given to the mansion in memory of a dramatic episode that took place in the early days following the War between the States. According to historical sources, Confederate Secretary of State Judah P. Benjamin took refuge in the mansion in 1865 after the fall of the Confederacy. With Union troops searching for him, Benjamin made his way south, crossing the Suwannee River on 15th. May 1865. Benjamin hid at Gamble mansion while friends searched for a boat. On 23rd. May he sailed from Sarasota Bay.

The mansion was saved in 1925 when the United Daughters of the Confederacy purchased it. They donated it to the State as a memorial to Judah P. Benjamin`s famous escape from Florida.

The Plantation has a small museum with an excellent collection of Civil War artefacts.

   1.  The magnificent mansion at Ellenton.

2.  The small museum has many interesting displays such as the above to Judah P. Benjamin, Confederate Secretary of  State.

3.  A beautiful oil painting of Gen. Robert E. Lee on Traveller.

4.  The Great Seal of The Confederate Staes of America.

5.  Original Confederate Officers uniform.

   6.   Close up of the belt and Georgia buttons.

7.  Confederate Cross of Honor reads,  Joe Day Stewart.

8.  Confederate Officers sword with Louisiana  State Crest manufactured by Dufilho, New Orleans.

9.  A Confederate battle flag exiled in the north since its capture by Sherman`s Army was back in Atlanta. The tattered banner was was brought to the museum at The Gamble Plantation by Dr. George S. Barnes on route to to his winter home in Bradenton. The flag made of silk with seven stars in the centre stitched by hand belonged to Gen. J.B. Hood`s Army and was seized by Sherman`s men on 29th. September 1864 during the Battle of Atlanta, Georgia.

10. Memorial to Confederate Veterans at The Gamble Plantation.