Harrison County was formed in 1784 from Monongalia and included all or parts of 17 other counties. It was named for Benjamin Harrison, signer of the Declaration of Independence and governor of Virginia from 1781 to 1784, and was the birthplace of General Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson. Marion County was formed from Monongalia and Harrison in 1842 and was named for Gen. Francis Marion, hero of the Revolution. It was the home of Francis H. Pierpont, a leader in the formation of this state, and at Fairmont the Monongahela River is formed.