Stephen Mallory - Adulthood in Florida

Adulthood in Florida

Young Mallory prepared for a profession by reading law in the office of Judge William Marvin. Because of its geographical position, Key West was often sought as a port of refuge for ships caught in storms, and was for the same reason near frequent shipwrecks. Marvin was recognized as an authority on maritime law, particularly applied to laws of wreck and salvage, and Mallory argued many admiralty cases before him. He was reputed to be one of the best young trial lawyers in the state.

His career prospering, in 1838 Mallory courted and wed Angela Moreno, member of a wealthy Spanish-speaking family living in Pensacola. Their marriage produced nine children, five of whom died young; daughters Margaret ("Maggie") and Ruby and sons Stephen R. Jr. ("Buddy") and Attila ("Attie") survived into adulthood. Buddy followed his father into politics, and he would eventually also serve as United States Senator from Florida.

Mallory held a few minor public offices, beginning in 1832 with his selection as town marshal. One of his first paid positions was as Inspector of Customs, for which he earned three dollars per day. Later, President Polk appointed him Collector of Customs. Before his marriage, he joined the Army and took part in the Seminole War, 1835–1837. He also was elected judge for Monroe County for the years 1837–1845.

In 1850, the sectional differences that eventually culminated in the Civil War led to a convention to be held in Nashville, Tennessee for the purpose of defining a common course of action for all Southern (slave-holding) states. Although Mallory had held no statewide offices, he was regarded as sufficiently powerful in the state Democratic Party to be chosen as an alternate delegate to the convention. Personal considerations kept him from attending, but he expressed his agreement with the purposes of the convention in a letter that was widely reprinted in the Florida newspapers.