The Case of Oceola’s Missing Head
Daniel W. Whitehurst
Daniel Winchester Whitehurst was born in Norfolk, Virginia in 1807 before moving to St. Augustine around 1835 where he served as a major in the army during the Second Seminole. While in St. Augustine, Daniel crossed paths with Dr. Weedon, which would not have been unexpected for it was a small community and Dr. Weedon was also in the service of the U.S. Military at Fort Marion. In time Daniel met Dr. Weedon’s family and fell in love with Dr. Weedon’s youngest daughter Julia (E. Julia Weedon) and in 1839 they intended to soon be wed. Daniel Whitehurst was an ambitious young man and after leaving the army in February, in November of 1838 he bought the St. Augustine newspaper The News.
The News, 1st edition by Whitehurst November 3, 1838
Everything was looking wonderful Daniel when in February tragedy struck when his love, his future bride, Julie Weedon suddenly died. Daniel published a simple statement in his own paper…
The News, February 7, 1840
On January 15, 1841, Whitehurst sold the News to Aaron Jones, Jr., and Thomas T. Russell.11 In announcing the sale, Whitehurst saying that he was staying on as editor:
The Subscriber has this day sold the Press, types, debts, &c, of “The News,” to Messrs. THOMAS T. RUSSELL and AARON JONES, Jr., who will continue to issue it in [the] future as the proprietors thereof. The connection of the Subscriber for the present, will continue to exist as Editor.
But then in the March 5th issue he no longer was listed as editor. Using his funds from selling the paper, he traveled to New York where he enrolled in medical school at the New York University and studied under the well-known Dr. Valentine Mott. After graduating, the now Doctor Daniel Whitehurst returned to St. Augustine where on April 30, 1843, he married Dr. Weedon’s second daughter, Henrietta. It is said that as a wedding present for the new doctor, Dr. Weeden gave his daughter and husband Osceola’s head.#39
In October of 1843 Dr. Whitehurst presented Osceola’s head to his former teacher and most distinguished surgeon of his day, Dr. Valentine Mott. Dr. Mott was one founders of New Yor University Medical School, as well the New York Academy of Medicine.
Two letters exist that confirm the giving of Osceola’s head to Dr. Mott.#39 The first which Whitehurst sends to Dr. Valentine Mott in New York saying, “My Dear Sir: Accompanying this, you will be handed the head of the celebrated Seminole Chief, Osceola…” and the second was Dr. Mott’s reply saying, “I am delayed returning you my thanks for the Head of Osceola…It will be deposited in the collection and preserved in my library at home, for I fear almost to place it in my museum at the University… temptation will be so strong for someone to take it.” I would imagine that Dr.