It was uninhabited when it was chosen as a terr. capital in 1836 & named for a president who died that year
This fortification, named after Stephen Heard, president of the 
Executive Council, .... White settlers soon inhabited this area; in December 1836, 
the Georgia... [DOC] [TLE] How All 50 State Capitals Got Their Names | Mental Floss [PAR] Dec 18, 2015 ... Want to know which state capital's name means "a good place to dig wild 
potatoes?