226 
FLORIDA STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 
On August 15, 1877, he was married 
to Mrs. Mary Lyman Wells, the widow 
of the late Philip Wells of Armenia, N. 
Y., and daughter of Moses Lyman, of 
Goshen, Conn., who had a winter home 
on Onoro lake near Ft. Reed, Fla. 
Rev. and Mrs. Phelps chose for the 
site of their future home a lovely spot 
lving between Silver and Onoro lakes. 
At this time Mr. Phelps applied the 
knowledge acquired in early life to dec¬ 
orating his house -with beautiful speci¬ 
mens of Florida mahogany and curly 
pine; beautifully finished and polished 
'doors, panels, mantels, tables and suites 
of furniture remain as monuments of his 
knowledge, skill and handiwork. Mr. 
Phelps’ health continuing to improve, he 
did considerable missionary work through 
the county. He was rector of the church 
of the Holy Cross at Sanford for some 
time. 
He continued the study of the orange 
and all citrus fruits, was manager of the 
famous Belair Grove, owned by General 
Sanford, when in its prime. 
It was while manager of this grove, 
that under his direction were raised some 
of the first and finest pineapples ever 
grown in the State. 
He was appointed postmaster at San¬ 
ford February 26, 1883, serving the pub¬ 
lic faithfully during the term of his ap¬ 
pointment. 
He was one of the originators of the 
Lyman Bank, and director of the First 
National Bank until failing health caused 
him to resign. 
His grove at Denmere, his home, be¬ 
came one of the finest in the State. 
The freeze of 1895 was a severe blow 
to Mr. Phelps. 
The death of his beloved wife in Jan¬ 
uary, 1897, was shortly followed by a 
severe attack of typhoid fever. Much of 
his time for the next two years was spent 
in rebudding his grove. 
During the winter seasons he went to 
Lake Maitland each Sunday to assist his 
honored and beloved friend, Bishop Ben¬ 
jamin Whipple, in the services at the 
church of the Good Shepherd. This he 
continued to do until the death of Bishop 
Whipple, which was another severe blow 
to Mr. Phelps. 
On January 17, 1900, he was married 
to Miss Mary Louise Blanie, of Sanford, 
Fla., whom he had known for many 
years. 
At this time Mr. Phelps became very 
much interested in the growth of lettuce 
and celery, which was attracting a great 
deal of attention in the State. During 
the two years in which he was engaged 
in this work he raised successively very 
fine crops of each vegetable on his lots in 
Sanford. 
During the winter of 1905 and 1906, 
M,r. Phelps’ failing health was a source 
of great anxiety to his wife and friends. 
He could take only short walks about his 
j 
home. 
After January, 1906, he was never 
able to leave the house. His days were 
spent in his roller chair. Much of the 
time on the east porch overlooking the 
beautiful lake Onoro, or on the south 
porch looking toward Silver lake. His 
favorite spot in the evening being at the 
west hall door to watch the sun sink to 
rest behind the orange trees. 
There was little noticeable change in 
his health until the winter of 1907-8 
when he grew gradually weaker, but suf¬ 
fered very little pain. 
On Easter Sunday loving hands placed 
