Lunenburg County, an area of 430 square miles, was formed in 1746 from Brunswick and was named for King George II, who was also duke of Brunswick-Lunenburg. Tarleton passed through the county in 1781. Mecklenburg County, an area of 669 square miles, was formed in 1764 from Lunenburg and was named for Princess Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, queen of George III. Bacon, the Rebel, defeated the Indians near the present town of Clarksville in 1676.