and 1773, but severe droughts were encountered in 1773 and 1775. By the end of 1768 a total of 450 people had passed away. Nearly 1,000 workers died in less than 10 years from malnutrition, malaria, scurvy and gangrene . Indigo production never yielded what was hoped for due to drought and soil depletion, and the colony was in debt from the start. Turnbull and his associated spent over 40,000 pounds during this period. Leaving for St. Augustine The Minorcans were contracted as indentured servants for a specified number of years, in exchange for land and freedom. Most of the workers believed that their contracts would end in 9 years, but Turnbull felt that the nine years only began after the plantation's debts had been paid. In the fall of 1777, the workers had decided enough was enough, and several of them walked to St. Augustine to petition the East Florida governor, Patrick Tonyn, to release them from their contracts. Toyn gave refuge to the workers, granted them an area in the northwest section of the old walled city, helping to form the core of St. Augustine, and practiced farming, fishing, and trades. The Peace of Paris (1783) returned Florida to Spain, and the Minorcans threw their lot in with them, and stayed in St. Augustine when Florida joined the United States. Current Times Today 20,000-26,000 descendants reside in St. Johns County. One large contribution that the Minorcans have made to St. Augustine is their cuisine. Specialties include Minorcan clam chowder, pilau (seasoned rice with boiled meat), and fromajardis (cheese pastries). Datil peppers also feature in several dishes. In the 1980s the Menorcan Cultural Society was founded to preserve and promote Minorcan heritage and culture. Minorcans are mentioned seven times in the 1959 novel, Alas, Babylon, by Pat Frank. A Menorcan Heritage Celebration is held annually in St. Augustine. References Further Reading Minorcan Gumbo for the Soul: A St. Augustine, Florida Story. Jones, Peter. ISBN: 9781478796480 Fromajadas and Indigo:: The Minorcan Colony in Florida. Beeson, Kenneth. ISBN: 9781596291133 Mullet on the Beach: The Minorcans of Florida, 1768-1788. Grifin, Patricia. ISBN: 978-0813010939 Minorcans in Florida. Quinn, Jane. ISBN: 9780917553059 Father Pedro Camps' Golden Book of the Minorcans, Translation and Index. McCown, Leonard Joe.