Description
Located in eastern Georgia along the boundary with South Carolina, 29 km (18 mi) northwest of Savannah; County Seat: Springfield.
History
Established 5 February 1777, as an original County. Originally organized in 2 parts as Saint Matthew Parish and Saint Philip Parish. Named for Thomas Howard (1746-1791), Third Earl of Effingham, an Englishman who supported the rights of the American Colonies and who resigned his commission rather than fight against the American.s (GA-T21/p70)