By: Scarlett R. Chesser
I was born in 1979 and spent the first few years of my life on my grandparents’ ranch, Chesser Gap (aka Chesser’s Gap) in Sebastian until it sold in the 80’s. I always knew that my family had a rich history in our local Sebastian area, but I became truly fascinated with it in my mid 30’s. At some point, I began to realize that the way of life I had been born into was quickly vanishing with every piece of property sold and construction site developed. People were relocating to Florida in droves! The familiar faces of yesterday were being flooded out by the increasing numbers of people coming into our state for their own chance to live in paradise. I realized that if I wanted Sebastian’s history to stay alive, as well as my family’s legacy, it was imperative that I continued embracing it. Sharing my knowledge with those that have had the same passion as me has been extremely rewarding. I am so grateful to the members of our community that continue working diligently to preserve Sebastian’s history and our very own slice of paradise!
From the early 1800s Sebastian was known for its great fishing and perfect stopping location for pioneers and people traveling by boat. My great, great, great grandfather, Sylvanus Kitching, brought his large family from Warrington, England to the United States in 1882. Upon arrival in the states, he already had his mind set on Sebastian, as older siblings had already established themselves in the area. Sylvanus Kitching was appointed postmaster in1884, and as historically noted, changed the town’s previous name of New Haven to Sebastian, and from that point our own piece of paradise was born! Kitching operated a general store in town until his death in 1906. The Kitchings had 12 children, one being Clarissa Kitching who would later marry Capt. Robert George Hardee.
Capt. Robert George Hardee was a pioneer resident of Sebastian and citrus grower. He moved to Sebastian in 1892 from Rockledge, FL (previously known as Hardeeville). His interest in the area came from carrying mail to the area, using boat transportation, along the Indian River when he was young. Upon arrival to Sebastian, he started planting citrus. Eventually, he turned most of the property into subdivisions as part of the development of Sebastian. The city of Sebastian was incorporated in 1924.
According to The Palm Beach Post, dated May 20, 1978, Clarissa Kitching married Capt. Robert G. Hardee in 1901. “They lived in a large-colonial-style mansion in a style little removed from the old south of Georgia and Alabama. They raised citrus and caught fish for a living. The family started the Eagle Fish Co. one of the first in the area.” It is said that Capt. Hardee owned over 22 boats, including the yacht, St. Sebastian. They had two daughters, Meta Hardee (my great-grandmother) and Theresa Hardee.
Meta Hardee married Lemuel Chesser, the son of a Wabasso citrus grower. She was teacher in Indian River County for over 30 years and has been accredited as the first woman principal in Indian River County. She was distinguished with many awards and honors, one including being asked to serve on the Governor’s cold-war education committee. She was first woman to serve on the Sebastian City Council in 1955, and it has been claimed that she is one of the notoriously famous SIX GROUCHES. Meta and Lemuel Chesser remained in the Sebastian area and had two children, Robert Hardee Chesser (my grandfather) and Clarissa Chesser.
My grandfather, Robert (Big Bobby) Hardee Chesser, grew up enjoying a prominent life on the Indian River. He was born at his family’s homestead which was located on the South side of, current day, Chesser’s Gap. He was a “larger-than-life" character and loved the outdoors. Despite his predominate upbringing in citrus, he decided at an early age that he wanted to be a cowboy! He led his first cow home from Wabasso, and that began his love affair with the cattle industry. He married Cynthia Turlington and they had six children. My father, Robert (Little Bobby) Hardee Chesser III was born in 1954, and was their 5th child. My grandparents eventually moved from their family home on Louisiana Avenue to their ranch, Chesser Gap off 512. In the mid 80’s, a developer proposed an offer they couldn’t refuse, and they decided to relocate after buying a ranch in Kenansville, FL off 441. My grandfather considered this his “dream” ranch. He died at that ranch, with a reputation known for his passion in the cattle industry.
My father married Regina Hunter from Melbourne, FL and they moved into a home on Chesser Gap in 1973. My mom also fell in love with the cattle industry, and it was something that bonded my parents. After my birth, we remained on Chesser Gap until my grandparents moved to their new ranch in Kenansville in 1986. My parents moved to a ranch in Fellsmere, currently known as: State Buffer Preserve. My dad continued his father’s passion in the cattle industry and maintained leases throughout Indian River and Brevard counties through the 1990’s. Fueled by low cattle prices and lack of land; my parents reluctantly sold their cattle in 1998. They purchased property in Fellsmere, FL and thankfully due to that purchase I was able to continue raising cattle, with focus on Registered Brahmans.
In 2005, I had my very own daughter, Reina Grace McMillan Chesser. I have been able to provide her with an upbringing rich in agriculture. But it becomes increasingly clear, with each passing year, that the way of life that had once been at the heart and soul of my family’s existence is disappearing as fast as the land we love. I am so grateful, though, for the gentle reminders of my family’s history spread throughout Sebastian. The Hardee Oak,
the Chesser’s Gap Shopping Plaza, Hardee Park, and Capt. Robert Hardee Boat Ramp, are just a few of those reminders of my family’s significant mark on Sebastian’s history! It has been imperative to me to continue to share our history. If not, I fear, there will be a part of our existence completely lost to the ravages of time.
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