The story I get is as follows; The early settlers of Florida were of course farmers and ranchers. They got their products to amrket using heavy freight wagons drawn by oxen and mules. In order to traverse the rough terrain much use was made of whips to spur the teams on. It was the crack of the whips that gave the drivers from North Florida and Southern Gorgia the name of 'Crackers'. The name stuck and was subsequently used for any native of the region.