Sumner County was established in 1786 and named for Major Gen. Jethro Sumner, an officer in the French and Indian War who served in the defense of Charleston in 1776, in the battles of Brandywine and Germantown, and in the army at Valley Forge, with his last service in the defense of North Carolina against Cornwallis. Trousdale County was established in 1870 and named for Governor William Trousdale, who served with Andrew Jackson at Pensacola and New Orleans, commanded the 14th United States Infantry in the Mexican War, was promoted to brigadier general for gallantry, served as governor from 1849 to 1851, and later became U.S. minister to Brazil.