Vaughan Cemetery

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John Daniel Vaughan was a veteran of both the American Revolution and the War of 1812. The original monument was placed prior to the Civil War and was destroyed during that time. A six-foot-tall, four-sided obelisk was placed on the grave of John Vaughan prior to 1927. Tradition says that this obelisk and the original monument were placed by the U.S. government. It is thought that John Vaughan was the only veteran of both the Revolution and the War of 1812 buried in Florida.

Service was also rendered by John Vaughan in the Indian wars. In 1797, he received a grant from the Spanish for a large tract of land on Amelia Island. He later received one hundred acres bounty land for service in the Revolution and a grant for service in the Indian war.

Vaughan was married to Rhoda Effingham, daughter of Pharaba Milller. Rhoda Vaughan preceded her husband in death by many years. His final request was “to be buried in the same grave with his beloved wife.” Because of his request, it is assumed that she is also buried here.

Indications are that others are buried in the Vaughan Cemetery, but no definitive list of interments is known to exist. Graves one through ten are shown on the plat even though identities of the interred are not known. Grave 11 is W. E. Scott, Jr., and Grave 14 is the Vaughan obelisk.

Vaughan Cemetery Location

(Amelia Island)
5059 1st Coast Highway
Fernandina Beach, FL 32034 USA

GPS Location 30.583360, -81.455687

The Vaughan Cemetery is located on private property next to the Waterwheel Cigar Store in Amelia City on the west of side A1A.

Vaughan Cemetery interments

Vaughan Cemetery Images

Vaughan Cemetery Layout
Vaughan Cemetery Layout

Indications are that others are buried in the Vaughan Cemetery, but no definitive list of interments is known to exist. Graves one through ten are shown on the plat even though identities of the interred are not known. Grave 11 is W. E. Scott, Jr., and Grave 14 is the Vaughan obelisk.

Vaughan Cemetery Dedication
The Vaughan Cemetery Dedication, 1927

The picture above is of the ceremony on May 7, 1927 for the unveiling of a marker at the grave of Lt. John Daniel Vaughan by the National Society Daughters of 1812, State of Florida at the Vaughan Cemetery. Four of the six generations of the family of Lt. Vaughan were present, including Mrs. Mary Vaughan Scott, granddaughter; her daughters Mrs. Hugh J. McCallum and Mrs. Louis Goldstein; Mrs. Scott’s grandchildren, Wilbur Scott, Miss Florida Scott and Miss Thelma Goodbread were in attendance. Mrs. Mary Vaughan Scott is at the center of the picture, assisted by her two daughters. A detachment of U.S. Marines from the United States Coast Guard cutter Yamacraw is also visible.

Inscriptions on the Obelisk

South Face: When in the coming years the stranger shall read this epitaph, remember that this monument marks the spot of one who lived in the times which tried men’s souls and that he assisted in bequeathing to you the rich legacy you now enjoy. Sacred be the spot.

East Face: Sacred to the memory of John D. Vaughan
Born in Boston, Mass. March 13, 1763
Died in Nassau County, Florida, April 16, 1860

North Face: He bled for liberty and bequeathed as a legacy to his posterity, resistance to tyranny and oppression. Peace to the ashes of the truly great.

West Face: Almost the last of the Hero’s of the revolution, his life faded calmly. It was marked by all those virtues which adorn a hero, eventful and determined. He lived respected, he died beloved, Rhoda his wife.

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