Madison County was created by an act of the legislature on December 5, 1811, and was named for James Madison, a Virginia Democrat and fourth President of the United States, who served from 1809 to 1817. The site for Danielsville was given by Gen. Allen Daniel of Revolutionary fame. Dr. Crawford W. Long, who first used ether in a surgical operation in 1842, was born in this town. Among the first county officers were Sheriff Nathan Williford, Clerk of Superior Court James Long, Clerk of Inferior Court Samuel Williford, Tax Receiver Britton Sanders Jr., Tax Collector James Ware Jr., Coroner William Hodge, and Surveyor Edward Ware Jr.