In 1736, the first settlement was established by the French at Ft. Tombecbee. In 1830, the U.S. acquired Choctaw Indian lands through the Treaty of Dancing Rabbit Creek. In 1832, the county was created by an act of the state legislature and named for Gen. Thomas Sumter, "The Gamecock," a South Carolina Revolutionary hero. In 1833, Livingston became the county seat.