The Junta Provincial de Patronato de Matanzas was created in 1880 when the law of patronato was passed in Spain. The patronato system represented a legal strategy to gradually abolish enslavement in Cuba through an "apprenticeship" process. The patronato was the mechanism established to oversee the transformation of enslavers (masters) into patronos and of enslaved people into patrocinados. "It represented an intermediate stage between slavery and freedom during which former slaves would owe labor to their former masters, but would receive a token wage in return" ("Gradual Abolition and the Dynamics of Slave Emancipation in Cuba, 1868-86," by Rebecca J. Scott. Hispanic American Historical Review, Vol. 63, No. 3 [Aug. 1983], p. 457). The Junta functioned as a provincial entity and, with the civil governor, oversaw the local juntas in municipalities and cities.
William J. Matheson was a philanthropist, agriculturalist, and pioneer developer in South Florida in the early 20th century. His agricultural experiments, social activities, travels, and estate are recorded in this collection and offer a unique visual history of Key Biscayne. Matheson served as commodore of the Biscayne Bay Yacht Club from 1912 until 1923. His annual Chowder Party on the Key became a highlight event of the season. In the early 20th century, Matheson traveled on a world cruise with his friend Arthur Curtiss James aboard his yacht, Aloha. Matheson also supported the development of south Florida, and nearly one hundred maps, plans, and images document his visionary work - including architectural plans for three of his residences, two of which are no longer standing. In 1940, Matheson's children donated more than 800 acres to Dade County for what would become Crandon Park.
