Samuel Bonapart Colding Jr.was born in Barnwell County South Carolina on July 10, 1830 to parent Samuel B. Sr. and Jemima Calhoun Colding, who are among South Carolina's pioneer settlers.  It is also said that Jemima Calhoun Colding was related to Vice President John C. Calhoun, possibly a half-sister.  When Samuel was 8 years old the family set out and moved south to Florida where they settled in Alachua County in February of 1842.  In Alachua County the Colding Family settled and Samuel Sr. soon engaged in farming, however in 1849 Samuel Colding Sr. was elected and served as a County Commissioner in Alachua County.  At about age 20, Samuel Jr. married to Julia Ann Bradley, daughter of Capt. Robert Duke Bradley.  Shortly after their marriage, on February 13, 1852, Julia and Samuel had thier first child, a baby girl who they name Sarah Nancy.  The following year, on October 3, 1853, Samuel and Julia Ann had yet another child, a baby boy who they named Robert. After living in Alachua County for a little more than 12 years Samuel, along with his wife, two children, and younger brother, James L. Colding, moved to Pasco County where they settled on 120 acres in the central part of the county.  It was on April 15, 1857 when Samuel B. Colding Jr. received full title and deed to 120 acres that he had purchased from the State of Florida, this property is further described as being located in section 25, township 24, range 19 in the small community of Darby.  The following year, in 1858, Samuel acquired an addition 40 acres of property, again from the State of Florida, this addition property was located in section 26, range 24, township 19 and adjoined to his previously purchased 120 acres.  Like many area resident, Samuel soon engaged in farming his land and he built his family a home where they could live.  Life in Pasco County in the mid-1850's were trying time for many families as the area was still inhabited by the Seminole Indians, who saw the white man as an enemy. Shortly before arriving to Pasco County the Darby neighborhood where the Colding family had settled was attacked by Seminole Indians and this attack was still fresh on the minds of area residents.  This attack occurred a short distance away at the home of Robert D. Bradley, two young children were killed.  With the Indian hostilities the call for arms was sent and preparation for the 3rd Seminole Indian War was soon underway.  Later that year Samuel B. Colding Jr. enlisted for services with the Florida Militia, along with his younger brother James, for service in the 3rd Seminole Indian War of Florida.  During his services Samuel and his younger brother were both detached for special detail under Lieutenant John McNeil.  It was during this special service that Lt. McNeil was killed while the detachment engaged with the Seminoles.  In 1858, after serving as a private for nearly 3 years, Samuel was mustered out of service and returned to his home in Pasco County with his brother.  (See James L. Colding Bio) Upon returning from his services in the 3rd Seminole Indian War, in 1858, Samuel returned to his 160 acres in Pasco County where he again engaged in farming his land.   Once again, in 1859, Samuel and Julia Ann were expecting another child.  On October 7, 1859 Samuel and Jualia Ann Colding had a little girl who was born at the family home in the small Darby Community, they named her Mary Jemima.  By 1860 Samuel had increased his interests significantly and was actively working his farm to meet the needs of his ever growing family.  In July of 1860 Samuel was recorded as owning 5 slave that were valued at $2000, which were likely employed on his farm as laborers.  In addition Samuel was the owner of (1) one horse and a small carriage, which was used to travel throughout the country.  Samuel also owned a large herd of cattle and hogs, which totaled 75 head. In 1861 the Civil War was underway and once again men were requested for enlistment, this time under the Confederate State of America.  Samuel and his brother, James, both decided to enlist for service with the local companies being formed at the time in Brooksville and Bayport.  Samuel set out for Bayport where he enlisted for service under Parsons Independent Company, which was formed in July of 1861.  Parsons' Company was a local based company and Samuel was able to stay close to home and close to his family.  The following year, in June of 1862, another local company was being formed under Capt. Samuel Hope, at this time Samuel Colding was transferred to Hope's Company, which was the same Company his brother James had enlisted with.  Eventually Hope's Company was mustered into service as Company C of the 9th Florida Infantry Regt.  Samuel's service in the 9th Florida Infantry brought him to the battle front at Olustee and afterward to Virginia, where the regiment engaged in some of their heaviest fighting. After his service in the Civil War Samuel returned to Julia Ann, his three children and his Darby home, where he would once again engage in farming for a time.  By 1869 Samuel had sold a 40 acre section, of his 160 acres likely to support his family during the hard times of Reconstruction in Florida, however 120 acres was retained and remained farm lands.  In 1869 Samuel had also sold a portion of his livestock and was recorded as owning 26 head of cattle and hogs.  Samuel also kept his horse, however he no longer had a carriage to travel with.   As the new year of 1870 rolled around the Colding family was stricken with the loss of wife and mother Julia Ann Colding.  On January 26, 1870 Julia Ann Colding was laid to rest, believed to be the first burial in the Colding- Clark Family Cemetery.  Over the next few years Samuel continued to reduce his herd of livestock and turned his attention more towards farming and cultivating his property.  By 1872 Samuel had sold most of the livestock he owned and was recorded as owning a total of 7 hogs and no cattle however, by this time Samuel had 30 acres of his 120 in cultivation. Throughout the 1870's and 1880's Robert Colding, Samuel's son, was employed by his father as a farm laborer on the family farm.  However, by 1883 Samuel had turned his attention to a new occupation likely giving less attention to the farm.   It was in 1883 when Samuel B. Colding Jr. followed in his father footsteps by becoming a local politician and was elected to hold a position on the Board of County Commissioners for Hernando County.  In this position Samuel served the needs of his community and the interest of the citizens of Hernando County by voting on county wide issues and appropriated monies for the building of new roads throughout the county. In addition Samuel began once again to increase his property holdings, which he had reduced after the Civil War to survive.  On June 16, 1883 Samuel again purchased 40 acres of property from the State of Florida, further described as being located in section 23, township 24, range 19.  The following month, on July 22, 1883 Samuel made another 40 acres purchase from the State of Florida, which is described as being located in section 32, township 24, range 20.  With his new property purchases in 1883 Samuel now owned a total of 200 acres in the small Darby community. On November 14, 1884, while still holding his office as a Hernando County Commissioner, Samuel B. Colding Jr. passed away at the age of 54 years old.  Samuel was interred in the small Colding- Clark Family Cemetery next to his wife.  Until recently it seemed as though the small cemetery had been forgotten and lost, however today efforts are being put forth to preserve this cemetery, which was recently located once again.  To learn more about the Colding- Clark Family Cemetery please click here. (Research by Jeff Cannon- Copyright © 2008)