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HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF
Excerpt from The Clay
County Tiroes,
Friday, Dec. 17, 1926.
Jax. Pub. Lib. -
if975,973.
C 57.
THE CLAY CODHTY TIMES. FRIDAY . DECEMBER 17. 1926.
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Mlddleburg is Oldest Settlement.
Mach has been said about St. Augustine, the oldest town in the United
States, but comparatively little is known of Mlddleburg, which is located
in Clay County and Is said to be the second oldest town.
Mlddleburg is eighteen miles from Green Cove Springs. The eastern part
of this old town was a grant given by the King of Spain. It belonged to
Mount Mallen, whose parents were Spaniards and left him this estate. .This
ownership was only discovered about thirty years ago, when a Phosphate
company went to Mlddleburg to boy land. Mount Mallen also owned a grant at
Bice Creek.
On the Rideout road near Bussell, about five miles from Green Cove Springs,
there was an Indian town. As late as 1855 the huts which were built largely
of palmettos were still standing. The Indians would leave their town, go
down Peter Creek to Black Creek and then on down to the St. John1» Blver to
the St. John's bar, where they would get oysters. The land where this Indian
town stood was later home-steaded by John Barrows, Sr.
(
Many of the creeks and landings were given the names of pioneers that were
killed near there. Indian Fort on the north prong of Black Creek near Mlddleburg
was given this name because a Mr. Beasley was killed there by the Indians