*This article is part of a series of historical stories aimed to tell the authenthic history of the Holley-Navarre Community. Some newcomers may not be aware that the community of Holley-Navarre dates back into the 1800s.. The goal of this series is to help share the stories and genealogy of Panhandle Pioneers, a local nonprofit recently created to promote, preserve and protect our rich local heritage without ignoring those who built our community prior to the 20th century. Photos courtesy Wendy Harvell Lincoln.
In this second part of the Harvell Family stories, Wendy Harvell Lincoln, founder of Panhandle Pioneers, a local nonprofit recently formed to promote, preserve and protect our area’s rich local heritage, shares her family lineage of Santa Rosa County natives, which traces back nine generations…
It was the promise of “free land” that brought Alfred Harvell and his wife, Elizabeth Littles, along with their infant son, Newsome, to an East River homestead on December 25, 1871. They also brought his mother, Mary Harvell, and other family and friends, including: his sister, who was also named Mary, and her son, John Henry Harvell, who later became Santa Rosa County Sheriff and a State Legislator…