See "Guide Maps to the Development of South Carolina Parishes, Districts and Counties" - compiled by S.C. Dept. of Archives and History from maps in S.C. County Inventories made by the WPA Historical Records Survey - available most libraries. Pendleton COUNTY (and Greenville Co.) were created 1798 and were in Washington (court) DISTRICT, (1791-1799). Prior to that, this area was Cherokee lands. By 1800, they are again called Districts. (It's easier to understand if you study the maps). There is a similar guide for N.C. - "North Carolina's Confusing Counties".