Lincoln County was established in 1809 and named in honor of Major Gen. Benjamin Lincoln of the Revolutionary Army. After service at Saratoga, he was put in chief command in the Southern Colonies and later served as Secretary of War under the Confederation from 1781 to 1783. Franklin County was established in 1807 and named in honor of Benjamin Franklin, printer, publisher, diplomat, author, philosopher, scientist, and statesman. Among his most notable achievements in statecraft were representing the Thirteen Colonies at the Court of France, helping draft the Declaration of Independence, helping conclude the treaty with England that gave the Colonies their independence, and serving as a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1787.