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Northwest Florida Panhandle Treasure – Bula Croker, Hugh Ridenour & The $80 Million Pirate Legend!

Maybe 2 adventure seeking widows?

Could be? What really sparks my curiosity is Walter Nathaniel Brown's grandfather who according to the 1948 newspaper was source of these alleged treasure charts.

Well done on finding an intriguing story!!!!!!!!!!!!

Crow
 
To my knowledge she was not a land owner in the Panhandle area from my research so far but this is an interesting point. Also who is Dr Humphrey who has 1/2 of the map?

His name was Homer Hudson Humphries Birth 5 JUL 1878 • Lexington, Fayette, Kentucky, USA Death DECEMBER 1, 1964 • Jacksonville, Duval, Florida, USA.

Screenshot 2025-08-13 104430.webp


1940 United States Federal Census for Homer H Humphries

Name Homer H Hunphries
Age 62
Estimated Birth Year abt 1878
Gender Male
Race White
Birthplace Kentucky
Marital Status Married
Relation to Head of House Head
Home in 1940 Jacksonville, Duval, Florida
Map of Home in 1940 Jacksonville,Duval,Florida
Street Talbot
House Number 1315
Farm No
Inferred Residence in 1935 Jacksonville, Duval, Florida
Residence in 1935 Jacksonville
Sheet Number 2B
Number of Household in Order of Visitation 38 39
Occupation Physician
House Owned or Rented Owned
Value of Home 6500
Attended School or College No
Highest Grade Completed College, 5th or subsequent year
Hours Worked Week Prior to Census 45
Class of Worker Working on own account
Weeks Worked in 1939 52


Crow
 
Walter Nathaniel Brown's gave below.

Screenshot 2025-08-13 105803.webp


The key is to find the identity of his grandfather who the alleged charts came from.

His father Jacob Brown * "Captain Jake" Birth 10 FEB 1849 • Choctawhatchee, Florida, USA Death 24 APR 1888 • Pensacola, Escambia,
Florida, USA below.

Screenshot 2025-08-13 110339.webp


Jacob Browns father Walter Nathaniel Brown's grandfather. Charles A Brown Birth 1815 • Wetoomkee Creek Indian Village, Georgia, USA Death 1887 • Walton, Florida, USA.

Charles A Brown is the alleged source of these treasure maps he is connected to events around this letter.

Screenshot 2025-08-13 111223.webp


Charles A Brown father which is William W. Brown Birth 10 JAN 1794 • Cane Creek, Orange, North Carolina, USA Death 6 OCT 1852 • Washington DC, District of Columbia, USA. his father was Joel Brown Birth 29 JAN 1769 • Cane Creek, Orange, North Carolina, United States Death 19 DEC 1853 • Liberty, Warren, Indiana, United States. Joel Brown was farmer listed in the 1850 census.

There might be connection to The Seminole Wars were a series of conflicts in Florida between the Seminole people and the United States military during the 19th century, primarily from 1817 to 1858. These wars were primarily driven by the US government's attempts to remove the Seminoles from their land and relocate them to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma.

First Seminole War (1817-1818):
This conflict arose from tensions between the Seminoles, escaped slaves, and white settlers, as well as border disputes with Spanish Florida
.
Second Seminole War (1835-1842):
This was the longest and bloodiest of the Seminole Wars. It was sparked by the US government's attempt to enforce the Treaty of Payne's Landing, which required the Seminoles to relocate. Key events included the Dade Massacre and the Battle of Lake Okeechobee.

Third Seminole War (1855-1858):
This conflict was triggered by US patrols entering Seminole territory. While it was shorter than the Second Seminole War, it further reduced the Seminole population in Florida.

This alleged treasure may be connected to Spanish Florida with border disputes connected Spanish Florida?
In 1800, a former British officer named William Augustus Bowles attempted to unify and lead 400 Creek Indians against the Spanish, eventually capturing San Marcos. A Spanish flotilla arrived some five weeks later and re-assumed control of the fort.

In 1818, General Andrew Jackson invaded the territory and took San Marcos after raids originating in Spanish Florida had a deep impact in Georgia. Two captured British citizens, Robert Christy Ambrister and Alexander George Arbuthnot, were tried and found guilty of inciting Indian raids and executed, causing a diplomatic nightmare between the United States and England.

In 1821, Florida became the property of the United States and the fort was occupied by U.S. troops. In 1824, the fort was abandoned by the U.S. and turned over to the Territory of Florida. By 1839, the fort was returned to the U.S. and a federal marine hospital was built there 18 years later, using stones from the Spanish fort

So perhaps this alleged Spanish treasure was loot from San Marcos known to have been involved. It seems the Brown family had Seminole heritage in the family. And ancestor was present when this looting occurred.

Crow
 
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Walter Nathaniel Brown's gave below.

View attachment 2220857

The key is to find the identity of his grandfather who the alleged charts came from.

His father Jacob Brown * "Captain Jake" Birth 10 FEB 1849 • Choctawhatchee, Florida, USA Death 24 APR 1888 • Pensacola, Escambia,
Florida, USA below.

View attachment 2220858

Jacob Browns father Walter Nathaniel Brown's grandfather. Charles A Brown Birth 1815 • Wetoomkee Creek Indian Village, Georgia, USA Death 1887 • Walton, Florida, USA.

Charles A Brown is the alleged source of these treasure maps he is connected to events around this letter.

View attachment 2220859

Charles A Brown father which is William W. Brown Birth 10 JAN 1794 • Cane Creek, Orange, North Carolina, USA Death 6 OCT 1852 • Washington DC, District of Columbia, USA. his father was Joel Brown Birth 29 JAN 1769 • Cane Creek, Orange, North Carolina, United States Death 19 DEC 1853 • Liberty, Warren, Indiana, United States. Joel Brown was farmer listed in the 1850 census.

There might be connection to The Seminole Wars were a series of conflicts in Florida between the Seminole people and the United States military during the 19th century, primarily from 1817 to 1858. These wars were primarily driven by the US government's attempts to remove the Seminoles from their land and relocate them to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma.

First Seminole War (1817-1818):
This conflict arose from tensions between the Seminoles, escaped slaves, and white settlers, as well as border disputes with Spanish Florida
.
Second Seminole War (1835-1842):
This was the longest and bloodiest of the Seminole Wars. It was sparked by the US government's attempt to enforce the Treaty of Payne's Landing, which required the Seminoles to relocate. Key events included the Dade Massacre and the Battle of Lake Okeechobee.

Third Seminole War (1855-1858):
This conflict was triggered by US patrols entering Seminole territory. While it was shorter than the Second Seminole War, it further reduced the Seminole population in Florida.

This alleged treasure may be connected to Spanish Florida with border disputes connected Spanish Florida?
In 1800, a former British officer named William Augustus Bowles attempted to unify and lead 400 Creek Indians against the Spanish, eventually capturing San Marcos. A Spanish flotilla arrived some five weeks later and re-assumed control of the fort.

In 1818, General Andrew Jackson invaded the territory and took San Marcos after raids originating in Spanish Florida had a deep impact in Georgia. Two captured British citizens, Robert Christy Ambrister and Alexander George Arbuthnot, were tried and found guilty of inciting Indian raids and executed, causing a diplomatic nightmare between the United States and England.

In 1821, Florida became the property of the United States and the fort was occupied by U.S. troops. In 1824, the fort was abandoned by the U.S. and turned over to the Territory of Florida. By 1839, the fort was returned to the U.S. and a federal marine hospital was built there 18 years later, using stones from the Spanish fort

So perhaps this alleged Spanish treasure was loot from San Marcos known to have been involved. It seems the Brown family had Seminole heritage in the family. And ancestor was present when this looting occurred.

Crow
I forgot to share this info




How the Maps Came to Bula Croker

According to a Palm Beach Post article from January 23, 1948, and later summaries from treasure-hunting historians:
  1. Original Source – The maps allegedly originated in Madrid, Spain.
  2. Transport to Florida – They were brought to the U.S. by a Spaniard named Andrea, who arrived aboard a ship called The Reflector from Tampico, Mexico.
  3. First Custodian – Upon falling ill, Andrea stayed in the home of a man named James Faust. Before Andrea died, he gave the maps to Faust.
  4. Chain of Custody – The maps passed from Faust to his heirs, then to Captain Walter M. Brown.
  5. Transfer to Croker – Around 1936, Captain Brown gave the maps to Bula Croker shortly before his death .

Sources
  1. Palm Beach Post, January 23, 1948 — contemporary report on Croker’s claim.
  2. “1700s Pirate Maps Lead to $72,000,000” — Treasure in America historical blog, summarizing newspaper accounts (link).
  3. Wikipedia — Bula Croker entry, background on her treasure-hunting activities.
Open Questions for us

  • Does anyone have ship records for The Reflector from Tampico to Florida in the early 1900s?
  • Any documentation on James Faust or Captain Walter M. Brown in Florida archives?
  • Could “Andrea” have been part of a known Spanish salvage or smuggling operation?
 
You can see the plan of the old Spanish fort. Fort San Marcos de Apalache wall remnants - St. Marks, Florida

Screenshot 2025-08-13 114714.webp


Fort San Marcos de Apalache wall remnants - St. Marks, Florida.

Screenshot 2025-08-13 114941.webp


You can see the size of the Spanish settlement. it was not beyond the realms of impossibility the the fort and town was not looked and treasure belonging from a Spaniard was looted during the first Seminole War.

Screenshot 2025-08-13 115233.webp


Knowledge or perhaps a map of location this looted treasure was buried some how became the property of Charles Brown?

Crow
 
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Interesting but this puts it outside of the counties that Bula and Hughes had treasure hunting leases. Bay, Escambia, Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, and Walton.
 
Walter Nathaniel Brown's gave below.

View attachment 2220857

The key is to find the identity of his grandfather who the alleged charts came from.

His father Jacob Brown * "Captain Jake" Birth 10 FEB 1849 • Choctawhatchee, Florida, USA Death 24 APR 1888 • Pensacola, Escambia,
Florida, USA below.

View attachment 2220858

Jacob Browns father Walter Nathaniel Brown's grandfather. Charles A Brown Birth 1815 • Wetoomkee Creek Indian Village, Georgia, USA Death 1887 • Walton, Florida, USA.

Charles A Brown is the alleged source of these treasure maps he is connected to events around this letter.

View attachment 2220859

Charles A Brown father which is William W. Brown Birth 10 JAN 1794 • Cane Creek, Orange, North Carolina, USA Death 6 OCT 1852 • Washington DC, District of Columbia, USA. his father was Joel Brown Birth 29 JAN 1769 • Cane Creek, Orange, North Carolina, United States Death 19 DEC 1853 • Liberty, Warren, Indiana, United States. Joel Brown was farmer listed in the 1850 census.

There might be connection to The Seminole Wars were a series of conflicts in Florida between the Seminole people and the United States military during the 19th century, primarily from 1817 to 1858. These wars were primarily driven by the US government's attempts to remove the Seminoles from their land and relocate them to Indian Territory (present-day Oklahoma.

First Seminole War (1817-1818):
This conflict arose from tensions between the Seminoles, escaped slaves, and white settlers, as well as border disputes with Spanish Florida
.
Second Seminole War (1835-1842):
This was the longest and bloodiest of the Seminole Wars. It was sparked by the US government's attempt to enforce the Treaty of Payne's Landing, which required the Seminoles to relocate. Key events included the Dade Massacre and the Battle of Lake Okeechobee.

Third Seminole War (1855-1858):
This conflict was triggered by US patrols entering Seminole territory. While it was shorter than the Second Seminole War, it further reduced the Seminole population in Florida.

This alleged treasure may be connected to Spanish Florida with border disputes connected Spanish Florida?
In 1800, a former British officer named William Augustus Bowles attempted to unify and lead 400 Creek Indians against the Spanish, eventually capturing San Marcos. A Spanish flotilla arrived some five weeks later and re-assumed control of the fort.

In 1818, General Andrew Jackson invaded the territory and took San Marcos after raids originating in Spanish Florida had a deep impact in Georgia. Two captured British citizens, Robert Christy Ambrister and Alexander George Arbuthnot, were tried and found guilty of inciting Indian raids and executed, causing a diplomatic nightmare between the United States and England.

In 1821, Florida became the property of the United States and the fort was occupied by U.S. troops. In 1824, the fort was abandoned by the U.S. and turned over to the Territory of Florida. By 1839, the fort was returned to the U.S. and a federal marine hospital was built there 18 years later, using stones from the Spanish fort

So perhaps this alleged Spanish treasure was loot from San Marcos known to have been involved. It seems the Brown family had Seminole heritage in the family. And ancestor was present when this looting occurred.

Crow
I somehow missed this info but I also had looked at some of this theory previously with different Seminole battles and Andrew Jackson’s known paths
 
I somehow missed this info but I also had looked at some of this theory previously with different Seminole battles and Andrew Jackson’s known paths

In answer to your questions.

Does anyone have ship records for The Reflector from Tampico to Florida in the early 1900s?
Any documentation on James Faust or Captain Walter M. Brown in Florida archives?
Could “Andrea” have been part of a known Spanish salvage or smuggling operation


There is a few James Faust connected to Florida. But we have to careful in not mixing them up as well


Georgia, U.S., Property Tax Digests, 1793-1892 for James M Faust date of entry 1884 -1887

Screenshot 2025-08-14 111712.webp
James Faust and Captain Walter M. Brown had connections to Georgia and The Seminole people so did Bula Croker somewhere all had links to The Seminole heritage.

Crow
 
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In answer to your question.

Does anyone have ship records for The Reflector from Tampico to Florida in the early 1900s. ln loyds shipping records? I could no find any trace at present through shipping records for 1900. I tired the 'Andrea' as last name through immigration records. through none from Spain or from Mexico. ( I suspect Captain Walter M. Brown never met the 'Andrea' "

This 'Andrea? is he from Spain. or is that a newspaper misconstrued facts?

There is a Francis N. Andrea. his last name could of been changed into Andrew.

Birth 6 DEC 1814 • Saint Augustine, St. Johns county, FL Death BEF 1860 • FL So technically he was Spanish.

He was also involved in Florida, U.S., Compiled Service Records, Florida Indian Wars, 1835-1858 for Francis N Andrew (Andrea )

Screenshot 2025-08-14 115751.webp


As you can see his Spanish last name. both cards was filed together.

Screenshot 2025-08-14 121305.webp


Interesting even if we do not have all pieces yet on who is connected what is not and what fact and what exaggeration.

1850 United States Federal Census for Francis N Andrew (Andreo ). He was born 6 DEC 1814 • Saint Augustine, St. Johns county, FL which was then part of Spain.


Finally your question Could “Andrea” have been part of a known Spanish salvage or smuggling operation. I am not sure. I do not see a time frame or logical reason to be smuggling treasure from Mexico in that time period. The multiple versions of how the charts came about does not help us.


Crow
 
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Crow, You are the best! I greatly admire your research in this story and others out west!
Please keep up the good work!
 

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