Samuel Edward Hope (c. 1833–1919) was a Democratic Party member of the Florida State Legislature in 1867[1] [2] and a Confederate officer during the American Civil War. He saw action against African-American "guerillas" during the war.[3] Hope represented Hernando County in the legislature.
Hope fought against Native Americans in Florida and worked as a surveyor.[4] He also bid on mail carrying routes.
He began his military career as a quartermaster for Florida troops organized by General Jessie Carter, and attained the rank of captain, and later "organized a company of Florida soldiers at the outbreak of the Civil War".[5] Around that time, Hope and his business partner W. W. Wall also advanced goods and funds to men holding state-issued certificates in connection with the Indian Wars, expecting prompt repayment after the war, although that would not end up being the case.[6] Near the end of the war, Hope "was badly wounded at the battle of Reams Station in Virginia".[5]
He was an early resident of Tarpon Springs and advocated for construction of the Anclote Keys Light on Anclote Key.[7]
From 1903 to 1913, Hope continued to press claims with the state legislature that he and others were owed compensation for funds advanced during the Seminole Indian wars.[8] At the age of eighty, Hope said:
In 1915, at the age of 82, Hope was praised for actively campaigning in favor of a bond issue for road improvements in Pinellas County, Florida.[9] The state finally paid the bulk of Hope's claims for his advances made in 1861 in 1919—the year that Hope died.[6]