I have just re-joined this list and wanted to comment on this question.... I have been doing some research lately on the early territorial days of Florida. I have found in the legislative minutes, as well as other documents, the designations "East Florida" for east of the Appalachicola River and "West Florida" for west of the Appalachicola river from statehood in 1821 until 1822. In 1822 the parent counties of Escambia and St. Johns were created. After that time there was no designation for East or West Florida until the mid-1830s during the Second Seminole War. At that time, "West Florida" included the 10 counties west of the Appalachicola River, "Middle Florida" included from the Appalachicola River to the Suwannee River (to appease those from Tallahassee who did not want to be in East or West) and "East Florida" to consist of those lands east of the Suwannee River. Now, why divide into three? Well, the answer is simple--military recruiting. Florida troops in the Second Seminole War had to be recruited in certain numbers. The territorial governor and presumably some legislators, apportioned Florida's quota (from the War Department) among these three sections. The thinking was, according to ex-governor Duval, that Pensacola, Tallahasse, and Newnansville would send the most troops, since most men in Jacksonville and St. Augustine were already serving in the regular army or among coastal defenses (problem with Britain again in mid-1830s). So, I hope that provides something of an answer. Anyone interested in research during this period (1822-1850), you are in for quite a ride!!!!!!!!!!! Russell D. James, M.A. Milton, Florida __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Yahoo! - Official partner of 2002 FIFA World Cup http://fifaworldcup.yahoo.com