Russell County was established in 1825 from parts of Adair, Wayne, and Cumberland counties. It was named for Colonel William Russell (1758-1825), a lieutenant in the Revolution who came from Fayette County, Kentucky. He took part in Indian campaigns of 1791 and 1794, was at Tippecanoe in 1811, and succeeded General William H. Harrison in command of the Indiana, Illinois, and Missouri frontier. He served as a representative in the Kentucky Legislature for 13 sessions. Jamestown was established by the Legislature in 1827.