Emanuel County probably has the most disputed boundaries of all the Georgia counties. Designated in 1812, Emanuel was once part of Washington and Effingham counties. Boundary disputes and shifts occurred among Emanuel, Bulloch, Montgomery, Jenkins, Johnson and Toombs counties during much of the 19th century. At one point feud­ing neighbors persuaded legislators to move the boundary so they would not have to live in the same county with each other. The county is named for a former governor, David Emanuel, who served in the Revolutionary War. Swainsboro, the county seat, is named for a local pioneer family. It was incorporated in 1814.