Laurens County was created by an act of December 10, 1807, from Wilkinson County. Originally, it contained all of Pulaski and part of Johnson Counties. Among its prominent residents were Gov. Geo. M. Troup and Gen. David Blackshear. It was named for Col. John Laurens (1755-1782), aide-de-camp to Gen. Washington, who fought with gallantry at Brandywine, Germantown, Monmouth, Savannah and Charleston. The first county officers, commissioned January 14, 1808, were James Thompson, sheriff; Amos Love, clerk of superior court; James Yarborough, clerk of inferior court; John Thomas, surveyor; and William Yarborough, coroner.