A local ruler called John was the first to provide the Liberian colony a tract of land in the area. The land laid on the south branch of the St. John’s River, three miles from the river mouth.
By May 1826, the colony had built a “commodious” trading post on the site, which, according to Governor Jehudi Ashmun, was being operated by “one of our most worthy and respectable people,” who lived there with his family.
The governor planned to have a large farm cleared and planted by laborers provided by King John, under the supervision of the resident Liberian trader
Footnote: J. Ashmun, “Accessions of territory – and new establishments connected with the colony, African Repository, May 1826, p. 93
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