Adicks: The Life of John Lee

Issues and Voices that Matter January 31, 2011

Adicks: The Life of John Lee

Historian Dr. Richard Adicks describes the Myths and Legends of the Life of John Lee in a presentation to the Oviedo Historical Society. John Lee came to Florida in the early 1800’s and his descendants pioneered OviedoFlorida. Adicks describes the process of gathering historical and genealogical data, oral history and separating fact from legend (length 24:29)

This presentation at the January 2011 meeting of the Oviedo Historical Society was made by Dr. Richard Adicks on the topic of the Myths and Legends of the Life of John Lee. Dr. Adicks, professor emeritus of English at the University of Central Florida, has been a member of the Oviedo Historical Society for most of the society’s 37 years of existence. He is best known locally for his co-authorship with Donna Neely of “Oviedo: Biography of a Town,” said to be the definitive history of Oviedo. Dr. Adicks and his wife Mildred have recently moved to Lakeland but were welcomed back to the historical society for this special speech.

Lars White, president of the Oviedo Historical Society welcomes Dr. Adicks and he is introduced by Jim Richardson, program chairman. The 20-minute presentation contains an overview of the life and times of John Lee whose descendants pioneered Oviedo Florida and who to this day are prominent members of the community. His remarks also offer insights into the process of gathering historical and genealogical information and the difficulties in separating fact from legend when compiling historical information. He refers to the importance of family oral history and to research from such organizations as the Huxford Genealogical Society and census records.

This feature was recorded Tuesday January 18, 2011 at the monthly meeting of the Oviedo Historical society held at the Oviedo Memorial Building on Central Avenue in Oviedo, Florida.