The first Constitution of the State of Indiana was adopted in 1816. Certain duties which had been performed by the county judges, were by the constitution devolved upon a board of county commissioners. The first board, composed of Thomas J. Warman, James Odell, and Thomas Beard, met in February, 1817.
The commissioners laid off the following six townships, which then composed the county: Washington, in the south-west corner of the county; election to be held at Waterloo. Harrison, east of Washington, to the Ohio state line; election at John Williams's. Jackson, north of Washington; election at Jacksonburg. Wayne, east of Jackson, to the state line; election at Thomas Lamb's. Perry, north-west part of the county. New Garden, east of Perry, to the state line. Elections were to be held in June, for the election of justices of the peace in the several township.