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oldest r eídente of íJiddleburg* The Hetfaodlat church used br the early
cottiers ia atill in good shape and ie ’swing used. It «as constructed
in 1QU7* The ran inga wor* wealthy cristooretie Southerners* They had
a large planta ticas and formed it with over 100 slaves* The plantation
had its ensn shoe factory* blacksmith ah-p and eonmissary*
Back in the early days before end during the Indian war# it la stated
that the Indians had a large camp on the shores of 31aok creek near the
present town of Hid ieburg* They fora ed as far away as South G< orgia#
Al mg about that tine# so it is stated# a band of pirates nade a e«uap
on the shores of the creek near the Indian oaosp and built up quite a
village* -hey used this as their hiding plaoe# dashing out at time#
into the St* Johns river# thence to Hie ocean where they would loot cos»
unfortunate ship and then dash back to their rendesvous* It is stated
that the pirates had trouble with the Indians and a band of old Billy
Bcerlegs* followers slaughtered then all in a pitched battle ne day#
>
but this is merely hearsay* Ho history records a battle of that nature
b' ing fought* However# it is a fact t at there was a fort at that loca»
tioa d ring the Swain ole Indian w r* Several oosr<anies of tilted States
soldiers camped there until the Indiana were driven farther south* Old
r eidents say that a Mrs* Snowdon# with others# was in the fort with
six children* sho took a notion site wanted to go to her hone* All
tried to dissuade her froa this move* She went and the Indicas captured
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her# stood the aix children in a row and shot then and left Mrs* Snowden
for dead* However# she recovered# and soouts coming along fouád her and
took her baok to the fort* ,