Coffee County was created by an act of the Georgia legislature on Feb. 9, 1854, from portions of Clinch, Ware, Irwin, and Telfair counties. It was named for Gen. John Coffee of Telfair County, noted as an Indian fighter, planter, and Congressman. Its first county officers were B.H. Tanner, sheriff; Whittington S. Moore, clerk of Superior and Inferior Courts; Thomas Mobley, ordinary; John W. Matchet, tax receiver; James R. Smith, tax collector; Sim Parker, coroner; and Mr. Carver, surveyor. The first Inferior Court justices were Mark Lott Jr., Joel Lott, Alexander Mobley, Hardy Hall, and Elijah Pickren.