From 1809 until 1836, Hartford was the seat of Pulaski County and during those years a thriving city influential in the military and political life of Georgia. Long before that, the site was an important trading center for Indians on the Ocmulgee. Named for Revolutionary heroine Nancy Hart, Hartford was incorporated in 1811, with Hardy Vickers, James Bracewell, Elijah Farnell, Furney F. Gatlin, and George C. Gaines as commissioners. General David Blackshear made his headquarters there, and in 1815 he and his troops began their march from Hartford to the Flint River, cutting the famous military road to that point. General Andrew Jackson and his army encamped at Hartford before starting their march to Fort Early in 1818. After lands on the west side of the Ocmulgee River were acquired from the Indians, the high bluff there was considered a better town site, and many buildings of old Hartford were torn down and moved across the river to become part of the new county seat, Hawkinsville.