Tuesday was a busy day for community organizations developing programs and projects for the city's 450th commemoration. 
   At 4 p.m., the St. Augustine Maritime Heritage Foundation met at the Yacht Club to continue its planning for construction of a 16th century Spanish caravel tall ship. At 6, the Military Officers Association 450th planning team met at the Elks Club to begin building the theme of St. Augustine's military presence "from day one." And at 7 p.m., veteran reenactors Scott Manny and Carl Rang, with skilled period musician Mike Thomas, held an organizational meeting in the Globe Room of the Fountain of Youth Park for an Old City Guard.

   The Maritime Heritage Foundation, a non-profit 501.c.3, is completing arrangements with the Fountain of Youth to construct the tall ship on the site of the city's original settlement adjacent to the Mission of Nombre de Dios.
   Foundation President Maury Keiser said immediate need is to build a wood stock, and is putting out the call to area tree services for live oak, yellow pine, cypress, and other hardwood timber, to be stored at a local woodlot.
   Much of the construction will be by period-dressed crews using 16th century tools and procedures. To contribute wood and financial donations, contact Maury.

   The Military officers Association represents the county's military community of 18,000 to 20,000 through the Veterans Council of St. Johns County, to develop not only commemoration but legacy projects of a military history here "from day one," as National Guard Command Historian Greg Moore put it.
   "Well, maybe day six or seven," he corrected himself Tuesday, referring to Founder Pedro Menendez' establishment of a home guard - militia - days after the founding September 8, 1565, as he led his troops overland to capture the French Fort Caroline near Jacksonville.
   Among initial plans: lectures by historian Jim Cusick next year on the 200th anniversary of the Patriot War of 1812, and Roger Smith in 2013 on the 250th anniversary of the British occupation of Florida in 1763, and introduction of a Fort Mose black militia in 2014, a year highlighted by 50th anniversary of the signing of the Civil Rights Act in 1964.
   A non-profit 501.c.3 is in the works for financial support. Contact Chairman Ron Radford for support and information.
 

   The Old City Guard was an idea contemplated by Scott Manny for two years, he told a group of volunteers. His vision: an outstanding color guard and fife and drum corps to represent St. Augustine to the nation and world, as honor guard for visiting dignitaries and participation in national parades such as Macy's Thanksgiving Parade.
   A non-profit 501.c.3 is planned. Mike Thomas, a former NY Drum Corps Champion and Washington Redskins Marching Band member, will head up drummers, Carl Rang the fifes, and Manny the color guard, meeting every Tuesday at 7 p.m. in the Globe Room at the Fountain of Youth.
   "No experience necessary," the flyer announces, in seeking drummers, fife, trumpet, horn, and bagpipe players, color guard, seamstresses, and office help. Contact Scott or Mike for support and information.

 The Florida Heritage Book Festival ramps up for its 2011session September 23-24 with a Writers Conference September 23 at the Casa Monica Hotel.

   It promises an opportunity to and includes workshop sessions, meet the authors, book signings, and lunch with keynote speakers Les Standiford and James Hall.

Fees range from $50 for registration by July 31 to $90 at the door September 23.

   Details on the Florida Heritage Book Festival website.

    From First Child of Spanish Florida, by Fredrik deCoste, Convention Press, Jacksonville FL 1965

    ". . . that this Martin was the first Spaniard born in the garrison of St. Augustine."

   The judicial processes and extensive record-keeping of the colonial Spanish Empire make possible detailed accounts of the era - like the establishment of the first white child born in what is today our country's oldest city.

   The revelations came through the judicial petition of a Spanish officer in Mexico, seeking four years back pay.

   Major Martin de Arguelles was not especially interested in telling the story of his life in that 1598 petition. He wanted his back pay. But in order to get it he had to show the court that he was born of properly married parents, that they were loyal subjects of His Majesty, and that he himself was the person he claimed to be.

   Of those called to testify at the Arguelles hearings, six declared frankly that they knew the major only during his service in Mexico. However, three others said they had known him and his parents for a long time before that.

   A distant relative said he had known the major's parents well. He "saw them living a married life . . ." in St. Augustine. Moreover, back in those days when Spanish Florida became a living reality, he had heard the founding Admiral, Pedro Menéndez de Avilés, "and many other captains and soldiers who served His Majesty in the forts of San Mateo, San Agústin and Santa Elena, say that Martin de Arguelles, the deceased father of the present petitioner, was one of the first soldiers and settlers . . . that he had married Leonor Morales and was of the first married citizens there were in Florida. . ."

   Arguelles was appointed sargento mayor in Yucatan, replacing the previous officer who left his post without notice or permission. He could not be officially declared as dead without royal approval. Meanwhile, payments for the position were held up pending a decision from the only authority recognized by all, His Catholic Majesty.

   The Governor of Yucatan wrote the king setting forth clearly the urgent need for the post to be filled. Four years later there had been no response.

   There is evidence of other children in the early years of St. Augustine's life. In 1577, a nephew of the founding admiral was Governor and Captain General of Florida, and wrote of the garrison population including "forty-four women, sixty-two children, and eleven pregnant women about to be confined."

   Thus, it appears that a number of early Spanish American kids could look upon a lad named Martin as their oldest playmate. Until evidence to the contrary is discovered, documents strongly indicate, as the witnesses of the hearings in 1598 declared, "that this Martin was the first Spaniard born in the garrison of St. Augustine."