RESEARCHING BURT PRUITT AS AN ANCESTOR


What happens when you discover a some secrets about an ancestor who had been in the fog of the past? Local historian and Jensen Beach native Rachel Heid, a PSL Historical Society Member, shared tales of her journey learning more about her great-grandfather Burt Pruitt, famous local fishing guide. He was known not just for his skills, recognized locally and by many rich and famous fishers, but for the wild parties, bootlegging and other questionable behavior at his fish camp on the North Fork. By the time he sold the last of his property to GDC in 1970, he was known as a local environmentalist.

Rachel is shown below flanked by her daughters Kaitlin (left) and Emilee. To learn more about Burt Pruitt, click here.

The talk followed a lovely buffet dinner at the Santa Lucia River Club at Ballantrae. More than 40 members and guests attended and stayed to chat following the meeting.

Shown below are members (seated left to right) Lee Hicks, drawing winner Marilyn Lawless, standing Diane Gallagher and Chair Patricia Christensen.