In the Sunshine State on this day in:

1702 The civilian population of St. Augustine seek safety behind the walls of the Castillo De San Marcos as British troops from Charleston, under the command of Colonel Daniel, extend their control over the city and the surrounding areas.

1838 Fort Gatlin was established today between the present-day sites of Orlando and Pine Castle.

1902 William H. Gleason, former Lieutenant Governor of Florida, died today in Eau Gallie.  Gleason proclaimed himself governor when the Florida Legislature adjourned while the Senate was still debating the question of impeaching the sitting governor, Harrison Reed.  The State Adjutant General and the sheriff of Leon County sided with Reed and surrounded the governor’s office to prevent Gleason from occupying the office.  On November 24, the Florida Supreme Court ruled that Reed was still the lawful governor and that Gleason’s claim to the office was spurious.

Governor Reed then brought charges against Gleason, charging him with having been ineligible for public office since he had been a resident of the state for less than the three years mandated by the Florida Constitution.  Governor Reed prevailed, and Gleason was forced from office on December 14, 1868.

Following his abbreviated service as lieutenant Governor, Gleason took up residency in Dade County.  He served in the Florida House of Representative from 1871 until 1874. 

Following some reverses in his finances, Gleason moved his family to Eau Gallie into the building that had been previously constructed as a site for the of Florida Agricultural College.  Gradually, the Gleason fortunes were restored and William H. Gleason gained a great deal of prominence in his new home. 

1967                 NASA sent the Apollo 4 capsule into a successful orbit today using the Saturn V racket.