Charlton County was designated in 1854 from parts of Appling and Wayne counties and named for Senator Robert M. Charlton of Savannah. Folkston, the county seat, was named for the Folks family, prominent citizens of the area. A large part of the county lies in the Okefenokee Swamp. As late as 1832 settlers were contending with ele­ments of Creek and Seminole Indian tribes that raided this frontier.