Anna Sewell in Old Catton, Sewell wrote the manuscript of "Black Beauty" – in the period between 1871 and 1877. During this time her health was declining; she was often so weak that she was confined to her bed. Writing was a challenge. She dictated the text to her mother and from 1876 began to write on slips of paper which her mother then transcribed. Although the book is now considered a children's classic, Sewell originally wrote it for those who worked with horses. She said "a special aim was to induce kindness, sympathy, and an understanding treatment of horses". In many
John Sewell (Miami) in 1912. Built on the highest point in the city, the house was named Halissee Hall from the Seminole word meaning "New Moon." Sewell wrote a self-published autobiography entitled "John Sewell's Memoirs and History of Miami, Florida". It included an appendix describing his witnessing the attempted assassination of president-elect Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. The book is valuable as a primary source of information on pioneer days in Miami. He is buried in the Miami City Cemetery. John Sewell (Miami) John Sewell (July 20, 1867 in Georgia – December 1, 1938 in Miami, Florida ) was the third Mayor of