Hattie Brock; The Fiery Belle of Enterprise, Florida

Among the notable figures of Enterprise history, few command attention like Harriet “Hattie” Brock. She was the spirited daughter of Captain Jacob Brock, pioneer in the establishment of the community of Enterprise. Her life, both charmed and tragic, unfolded during a turbulent era in Florida’s past and her sorrow and rage during a particular encounter left a lasting impression on West Volusia’s history.

Hattie Brock was born into her father’s flourishing business in Florida, centered around the renowned Brock House hotel. Established as a premier destination for luxury accommodations, the Brock House quickly became a symbol of sophistication in the south. Although the hotel was razed in 1937, the town of Enterprise has been preserved as a community of historical interest, allowing visitors to experience the charm and elegance of a bygone era.

But Hattie’s life was tied to the St. Johns River and the steamboat that bore her name. 

In 1860, Captain Jacob Brock unveiled the Hattie Brock. It was a top steamboat, built to dominate Florida’s busy waterways. It could carry 800 bales of cotton and had luxury cabins for 100 passengers. The ship was the pride of the Brock fleet and embodied the captain’s vision and his love for his daughter.

Although Brock was born in the North, he was a slave owner and supported Southern interests. The Hattie Brock steamboat became a workhorse for the Confederacy during the Civil War by ferrying goods while evading Union forces on the St. Johns River. When avoiding capture, a favorite hiding spot was the secluded inlets of Lake Harney in south Volusia County. 

For years the Hattie Brock avoided capture, until 1864 when Union forces seized the steamboat, holding 150 bales of cotton to fund the Confederates, near Lake Monroe. They towed the vessel to Enterprise, refueled it there, then transported it to Jacksonville. 

On the Enterprise dock, Hattie Brock watched in anguish as her namesake vessel, her father’s prized creation, was commandeered by Union troops.

A New York Times correspondent traveling with the Union troops described the scene as one of exquisite pain, calling it the worst part of the journey back to Jacksonville. 

“The little blackeyed belle seemed like an angel angry,” he wrote. “She was eloquent in her grief.” 

The sight of the young woman, torn between rage and sorrow, left a lasting impression on the soldiers and reporter.

Despite her fiery presence and the legacy of her family’s name, Hattie’s life was short. In 1864, the same year that her namesake was captured, she married William B. Watson, the son of Volusia County Sheriff Elijah Watson. The couple had a son, Charles Henry Watson Sr., though inconsistencies in his birth certificate have raised doubts about the exact timing of his birth. 

Just two years later, at the age of 27, Hattie passed away, with the cause of her death remaining another unanswered mystery.

Hatties’ life, though brief, embodied the spirit of Enterprise at its height. Her story deeply intertwined with the rise and fall of the steamboat industry, and much like the vessel bearing her name, Hattie Brock faded into history. 

Her husband, William B. Watson, managed the railroad between Enterprise and Titusville, an irony given that railroads eclipsed the steamboats that had once defined Hatties’ legacy. Watson, who lived to 73, never remarried.

Today, the Enterprise Museum continues its quest to uncover more about Hattie Brock, whose story plays an essential role in local history. 

Though no one has found a photograph of her, Hattie’s life remains, much like the whistle of her namesake steamboat, a fleeting yet unforgettable moment in Volusia history. 

The capture and return of The Darlington and Hattie Brock

In March 1862, during the Union occupation of Fernandina, Florida, Commander C.R.P. Rogers captured the Confederate steamer Darlington, commanded by Captain Jacob Brock. Brock initially refused to surrender, which led to a confrontation in which Union forces fired on the steamer before it finally capitulated. 

Upon boarding, Union officers were outraged to find several women and children aboard, who had been pleading with Brock to surrender as they were fired upon. The Darlington, which carried refugees and military supplies, was later converted into the Union gunboat USS Darlington. 

Despite not being a formal member of the Confederate military, Brock was arrested and imprisoned in a Union prison, and his ship was seized. While incarcerated, Union forces captured other steamboats, including the Hattie Brock, a significant blow to the Confederacy. 

After his release toward the end of the war, Brock returned to Florida. The Darlington was sold to Confederate sympathizer John Clark in 1866 but was quickly returned to Brock, allowing him to resume his steamboat operations between Jacksonville and Enterprise.

Written by Robin Mimna, Local Historian and Creator of the Volusia County History Facebook Group.