Breathitt County was formed in 1839 from parts of Estill, Clay, and Perry Counties. It was named for Governor John Breathitt, who died in office in 1834. Breathitt was born in Virginia in 1786, and his family came to Logan County, Kentucky, in 1800. He served three terms in the Kentucky legislature, became Lieutenant Governor in 1828, and Governor from 1832 to 1834. The county seat was first named Breathitt, then changed in 1845 to Jackson to honor the hero of New Orleans, the seventh U.S. President.