Taking its name from the Township of Guysborough, which was named in honour of Sir Guy Carlton, Guysborough County was created when Sydney County (Antigonish County) was divided in 1836. Four years later, in 1840, the Township of St. Mary's, in Guysborough County, was set off as a separate and distinct District. In 1863 the dividing line between Halifax and Guysborough Counties was altered and a polling district was added to Guysborough County. Subsequently, the dividing line between Pictou County and Guysborough County became rather uncertain and in 1866 a Commission of Crown Lands was authorized to appoint a surveyor to establish the boundary. Although the commissioners appointed to look after the interests of Pictou and Guysborough Counties, respectively, both signed the surveyors report, it soon became evident they were in agreement upon only part of the line between those two counties. At a meeting of the Court of General Sessions of the Peace for the District of Guysborough in the County of Guysborough, held on January 19, 1867, it was resolved the Commissioner of Crown Lands be requested to decide the residue of the boundary line. Moreover, in April 1875, the Lieutenant Governor and Council ordered the Commissioner of Crown Lands to make a survey of the line between Halifax and Guysborough Counties. Subsequently at its April session, 1913, the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Guysborough declared that the boundary line between the Municipalities of Guysborough and St. Mary's had become uncertain and that it was necessary to establish it anew in order to avoid litigation to which the uncertainty could lead. Pursuant to the request of that Municipal Council, the Lieutenant Governor and Council on March 23, 1914 authorized the appointment of a surveyor to run out that boundary line and to set up permanent marks upon it.