Toombs County was created by act of Aug. 18, 1905 from Emanuel, Montgomery, and Tattnall counties. It was named for Gen. Robert Augustus Toombs (1810-1885), of Wilkes County, a congressman and senator. One of the chief organizers of the Confederate government, he served as Secretary of State and brigadier general. Bitterly opposed to Reconstruction, he never took the oath of allegiance after the war. The first county officers, commissioned Oct. 9, 1905, were R.F. Scarboro, sheriff; D.T. Gibbs, clerk of superior court; R.J. Partin, tax receiver; O.V. Sharpe, tax collector; B.H. Grace, surveyor; M.D. Cowart, coroner; John H. Clifton, ordinary; and F.A. Thompson, treasurer.