US Congressman, Florida Territorial Governor. He joined the Army for the War of 1812, serving as an aide to Andrew Jackson and taking part in the Battle of New Orleans. He saw Florida in 1814 when Jackson's army occupied it during the US attempt to acquire the territory from Spain. When Florida became a US possession in 1821, Call returned with Jackson to establish its government and decided to stay. He studied law, became an attorney in Pensacola, and served on the territory's Legislative Council in 1822. Later in 1822 he was elected Delegate to the US House of Representatives and served one term, 1823 to 1825. In 1823 he was commissioned Brigadier General of the West Florida Militia. After leaving Congress, Call was appointed Register of Florida's US Land Office. In 1836 President Jackson appointed him Governor, and he served until 1839. In 1841 he was appointed Governor again and took steps to achieve statehood. When Florida became a state in 1845, Call was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor. During the 1830s, he began construction on two Leon County plantations, Orchard Pond, and The Grove, and he eventually took up permanent residence at The Grove. The Grove is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open for tours. It was the home of Florida Governor LeRoy Collins and his wife Mary Call Darby Collins, Call's great-granddaughter. The call was also the uncle of US Senator Wilkinson Call.
US Congressman, Florida Territorial Governor. He joined the Army for the War of 1812, serving as an aide to Andrew Jackson and taking part in the Battle of New Orleans. He saw Florida in 1814 when Jackson's army occupied it during the US attempt to acquire the territory from Spain. When Florida became a US possession in 1821, Call returned with Jackson to establish its government and decided to stay. He studied law, became an attorney in Pensacola, and served on the territory's Legislative Council in 1822. Later in 1822 he was elected Delegate to the US House of Representatives and served one term, 1823 to 1825. In 1823 he was commissioned Brigadier General of the West Florida Militia. After leaving Congress, Call was appointed Register of Florida's US Land Office. In 1836 President Jackson appointed him Governor, and he served until 1839. In 1841 he was appointed Governor again and took steps to achieve statehood. When Florida became a state in 1845, Call was an unsuccessful candidate for Governor. During the 1830s, he began construction on two Leon County plantations, Orchard Pond, and The Grove, and he eventually took up permanent residence at The Grove. The Grove is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is open for tours. It was the home of Florida Governor LeRoy Collins and his wife Mary Call Darby Collins, Call's great-granddaughter. The call was also the uncle of US Senator Wilkinson Call.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Inscription
RICHARD KEITH CALL / GRAND MASTER/ F. & A.M. OF FLORIDA 1850 / TERRITORIAL GOVERNOR OF / FLORIDA 1836-1839 & 1841-1844 / BORN IN VIRGINIA / OCT. 4, 1792 / DIED IN TALLAHASSEE / SEPT. 14, 1862 / ERECTED BY THE GRAND LODGE / F. & A.M. OF FLORIDA
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