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DeKalb County, designated in 1822, combined lands from parts of Henry, Gwinnett and Fayette counties. At one time it contained all of the City of Atlanta and much of what was to become Fulton County. In naming the county, its founders honored Baron Johann DeKalb who accompanied Marquis de Lafayette and served in the Continental Army. In 1780, the British army at last captured DeKalb, and soon after, he died suffering multiple gunshot and bayonette wounds. Decatur, the county seat, is named for naval hero Stephen Decatur.
