Jefferson County was established in 1792 and named in honor of Thomas Jefferson, who had served as Secretary of State, formerly been a member of the Continental Congress, and been the principal author of the Declaration of Independence; he later became Governor of Virginia, Vice-President, and President of the United States. Cocke County was established in 1797 and named in honor of Senator William Cocke, who served in 1796, 1797, and from 1799 to 1805, was an officer of the Revolutionary Army, one of the leaders of the State of Franklin, and a member of the Legislature of the Territory South of the Ohio River.