Notes:

Also known as: John

In 1840, Antonio Canova built a one-and-a-half-story coquina and frame Spanish Colonial residence in Saint Augustine, Florida for his eldest son John. This house was conveyed to Ramon Canova for $1 by his parents in 1866 when John Canova moved to the older Murat House.

The Canova house is located at 46 Bridge Street in Saint Augustine. It shows evidence that it was once stuccoed and painted. Distinctive features of the house include angled flush boards on the dormer and the round wood columns beside the street entrance. The frame second floor consists of wood weatherboard. A brick exterior to the north was added around the turn of the century.

Northern and western extensions of the original rectangular structure were added between 1885 and 1894 during the Amos C. Spear ownership. Amos Spear owned a winter home toward the north. By 1877, Spear owned all of the houses and properties that today comprise the St. Augustine Historic Museum Center. The house is also known as the De Medicis house as it was purchased by the De Medicis family in 1899 from Mollie Pease and was held until 1922.

CENSUS: According to October 14, 1850 St Johns County 1850 Federal Census data for the City of Saint Augustine (taken by Geo. J. Zehnbauer) Reel #M432-59, page 203b.

The following research was gathered by "Leonard J. McCown" :

CHRISTENING: Roman Catholic Church Records, St. Augustine Parish Church, Florida, White Baptisms IV, 1816-1838, page 37, entry 63. Juan Antonio Climaco Canobas, born 30 March 1817. Baptized 8 April 1817. Legitimate son of

Antonio Canobas, native of this parish, son of Antonio Canobas and Catalina Mestre, and Margarita Pons, native of this parish, daughter of Juan Pons and Juana Andreu. Godparents: Antonio Canobas and Catalina Mestre, citizen of this city.

CENSUS: 1850 U.S. Census, St. Johns Co., Florida, 18th Division, St. Augustine, Dwelling 45, Family 50, 14 October 1850, page 204A. National Archives Microfilm M432, Roll 59. John Canova, age 33, male, white. Farmer. Born in Florida. Tomasea Canova, age 30, female, white. Born in Florida. Antonio Canova, age 8, male, white. Born in Florida. Attended school. Maria Canova, age 5, female, white. Born in Florida. Attended school. Theodora Canova, age 3, female, white. Born in Florida. James Canova, age 2, male, white. Born in Florida. Alexander Canova, age 9/12, male, white. Born in Florida.

CENSUS: 1860 U.S. Census, St. Johns Co., Florida, 22nd Division, Post Office, St. Augustine, Dwelling 212, Family 212, 24 June 1860, page 630. National Archives Microfilm M653, Roll 109. John C. Canova, age 42, male, white. Carpenter. Personal Estate, $200. Born in Florida. Thomassa Canova, age 40, female, white. Born in Florida. Antonio L. Canova, age 17, male, white. Tele. Oppr. Born in Florida. Maria Canova, age 15, female, white. Born in Florida. Attended school. Theodora Canova, age 13, female, white. Born in Florida. Attended school. James Canova, age 11, male, white. Born in Florida. Attended school. Alexander Canova, age 10, male, white. Born in Florida. Attended school. Lucian Canova, age 8, male, white. Born in Florida. Attended school. Ignatius Canova, age 6, male, white. Born in Florida. Attended school. Hellen Canova, age 3, female, white. Born in Florida.

CENSUS: 1870 U.S. Census, St. Johns Co., Florida, City of St. Augustine, Post Office, St. Augustine, Dwelling 236, Family 270, 18 August 1870, pages 622A-622B. National Archives Microfilm M593, Roll 133. John C. Canova, age 54, male, white. Carpenter. Real Estate, $600. Personal Estate, $230. Born in Florida. Male citizen. Tomasa Canova, age 50, female, white. Keeping House. Born in Florida. James F. Canova, age 22, male, white. Farmer. Born in Florida. Male citizen. Alexander Canova, age 20, male, white. At home. Born in Florida. Attended school. Lucien Canova, age 18, male, white. At home. Born in Florida. Attended school. Ignacio Canova, age 16, male, white. At home. Born in Florida. Attended school. Hellen Canova, age 12, female, white. At home. Born in Florida. Attended school. Joseph Canova, age 8, male, white. At home. Born in Florida. Attended school.

DEATH: Roman Catholic Church Records, St. Augustine Parish Church, Florida, Deaths II, 1809-1882, page 210, entry 10. J.C. Canova, 62 years old, died 15 March 1879, buried the following day in Tomalato Cemetery. Priest: Stephen Langlade.