Montgomery County was created on Dec. 19, 1793, out of Washington and originally contained all of Wheeler and Tattnall and parts of Treutlen, Toombs, Emanuel, and Dodge Counties. It was named for Maj. Gen. Richard Montgomery (1736-1775), “an early martyr to the cause of liberty.” While commanding an expedition to Canada in 1775, he was killed at the Siege of Quebec. The first county officers, commissioned on Feb. 17, 1794, were March McKessak, sheriff; Thos. Pugh, Clk. Inf. Ct.; Jonathan Eammons, Clk. Sup. Ct.; Jonathan Holly, coroner; Wm. Cawthorn, register of probate; and Willis Wood, surveyor.