Wythe County is named for George Wythe who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence. Dec.1,1789 from Montgomery County, Wytheville is county seat.( 1790- present). Tazewell County named for Henry Tazewell,a U.S.senator created Dec.17,1799 from Russell & Wythe County, County seat, Tazewell. First land surveyed 1748 in Burke's Garden area. James Burke settled there in 1754. He and his wife were killed by Indians there 20 yrs. later. Several Forts were around during the late 18th century for protection from the Indians. Here is a list of some of the Forts: MAIDEN SPRINGS FORT, BIG CRAB ORCHARD FORT ( 1771), WILLIAM WYNN"E"S FORT (1776), Tazewell was established 1800, on land given by Samuel Ferguson & William Perry. The 1st mine in the Pocahontas Coalfield was opened 1882 in Pocahontas. Smyth County - named for Alexander Smyth, Brigadier General, War of 1812. County seat-Marion ( 1853-present). In 1782 Arthur Campbell realized commercial potential of salt deposist around Saltville and developed. Slave labor ( over 2,000) produced hundreds of thousands of bushels of salt for the Confederacy during the Civil War. In 1864 the Union and Confederacy fought 2 battles over the salt. Lee County named for Henry " Light Horse, Harry" Lee a Rev.War officer and gov. of Va. ( 1791-1794) was created Oct. 25,1792 from Russell County. County seat- Jonesville.