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nole War, about 1822, of hand-hewn lumber, with the uprights (framing)
running to the third story, each in one piece of eight by eight solid
héartpine.
"The house was owned and lived in by the late Martha Ann Chalker,
grandmother of the present owner, Dr. F. A. Copp of Jacksonville, for
more than 86 years. She lived beyond her 92nd birthday.
"The name of the town was originally Black Creek and was changed
to Middleburg about 75 years ago. Just why the change is not clear.
We are not in the middle of the states, or the state or the county,
but are midway between the north and south Black Creeks and at a point
where the two come together to form Black Creek.
"The first mail came once a week by steamboat, and was delivered
over a counter in the old Chalker House by A. S. Chalker, father of
the present postmaster. Later the postoffice was moved to a large
I
store building on the site now occupied by the present small office.
"The town v/as a/pposperous cotton shipping port for the river
boats until the buildings were burned during the Civil War, and was
an old town while Jacksonville was known as Cow Ford. The oldest-residents
remembered the remains of the old fort of the Seminole War days.
"Life is the average of the small town; most of us are as placid
as cows, with spells of energy.
"We have a beautiful new Community House, and the beginning of
a commodious school building, both W. P. A. projects.