Dr. Marshall Wingfield was the preeminent authority on Franklin County's history, institutions, and people. The first half of this county history treats Franklin County social history, with chapters devoted to the origin and establishment of the county, pioneer life, the settlement of towns and villages, newspapers and other businesses, and more. Genealogists may wish to go directly to the second half of the book for the various rosters of Franklin County inhabitants which can be found there. These include a list of Revolutionary soldiers, a list of Franklin County pensioners found in the pension list of 1883, a list of Confederate soldiers from Franklin County, and much more.