Founding of New Smyrna

Background. Andrew Turnbull (1718–March 13, 1792) was a Scottish physician, diplomat, and colonist who had previously served as British consul at Smyrna, now İzmir, in the Ottoman Empire. A friend of James Grant, governor of British East Florida, he secured a grant of 40,000 acres (160 km2) of land on the east coast of the peninsula in partnership with Sir William Duncan, on condition that it be settled within ten years at one person per 100 acres.

Mediterranean Recruitment. In June 1767 Turnbull arrived with his ships in the Mediterranean, visiting Mahon on Menorca; Livorno in Italy; Smyrna in Asia Minor; Melos, Mani, Koroni, Methoni in Greece; Crete; Santorini; and Corsica, gathering settlers for the projected colony.

Founding of the Colony. In 1768 Turnbull established the colony of New Smyrna, Florida, naming it in honor of his wife's birthplace, the ancient Greek city of Smyrna (now İzmir) on the Aegean coast of Anatolia. The area's first European settlement dates to that year, and the venture is described as the largest attempt at colonization by the British in the New World. The colony was soon derailed by poor living conditions and mistreatment by Turnbull and his overseers.