Key Events:
1607 Jamestown Settlement - First Capital
1617 Four original shires incorporated:
Kecoughtan, James City, Brandon, Henrico
1634 First eight Shires incorporated as counties:
Accawmack, Charles River, Elizabeth City, Warwick River, Warrosquoyacke,
James City, Charles City, Henrico
1698 Capital moved to Williamsburg
1733 NC/VA boundary established
1780 Capital moved to Richmond
1780 NC/VA (western) boundary established
1788 Virginia Statehood
1863 West Virginia formed from Virginia
Elizabeth City |
James City |
|
1617 Kecoughtan Shire established
1634 Kecoughtan Co name changed to Elizabeth City |
1617 James City established |
Charles City |
Henrico County |
|
1617 Brandon Shire established
1634 Brandon Co dissolved; Charles City established |
1617 Henrico Co established |
Northampton County |
York County |
|
1634 Accawmack Co established
1643 Accawmack Co named changed to Northampton Co |
1634 Charles River Co established
1637 Charles River Co name changed to York Co |
Warwick County |
Isle of Wight County |
|
1634 Warwick River Co established
1643 Warwick River Co name changed to Warwick Co 1952 Warwick Co abolished; incorporated as City of Warwick 1958 City of Warwick merged into City of Newport News |
1634 Warrosquoyacke Co established
1637 Warrosquoyacke Co name changed to Isle of Wight Co |
Southampton |
Goochland |
|
1634 Warrosquoyacke Co established
1637 Warrosquoyacke Co name changed to Isle of Wight Co 1749 Southampton Co split from Isle of Wight Co |
1617 Henrico Co established
1728 Goochland split from Henrico Co |
Nansemond |
Norfolk |
|
1617 Kecoughtan Shire established
1634 Kecoughtan Co name changed to Elizabeth City 1636 New Norfolk Co split from Elizabeth City 1637 Upper Norfolk Co split from New Norfolk Co 1645 Upper Norfolk Co name changed to Nansemond Co 1972 Nansemond Co Extinct. |
1617 Kecoughtan Shire established
1634 Kecoughtan Co name changed to Elizabeth City 1636 New Norfolk Co split from Elizabeth City 1637 Lower Norfolk split from New Norfolk 1691 Lower Norfolk split into Norfolk Co and Princess Anne Co 1963 Norfolk Co Extinct: |
Southampton County |
Surry County |
|
1634 Warrosquoyacke Co established
1637 Warrosquoyacke Co name changed to Isle of Wight Co 1749 Southampton Co split from Isle of Wight Co |
1617 James City established
1652 Surry Co split from James City |
Northumberland |
Westmoreland |
| 1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian
Lands
1653 Westmoreland Co split from Northumberland Co |
Stafford |
King George |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian
Lands
1653 Westmoreland Co split from Northumberland Co 1664 Stafford Co split from Westmoreland Co |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Richmond split from Rappahannock Co 1692 Rappahannock Co extinct 1721 King George Co split from Richmond Co |
Prince William |
Fairfax |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Richmond split from Rappahannock Co 1692 Rappahannock Co extinct 1731 Prince William Co formed from King George and Stafford Co's |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1653 Westmoreland Co split from Northumberland Co 1664 Stafford Co split from Westmoreland Co 1731 Prince William Co formed from King George and Stafford Co's 1742 Fairfax Co split from Prince William Co |
Gloucester |
New Kent |
|
1634 Charles River Co established
1637 Charles River Co name changed to York Co 1651 Gloucester Co split from York Co |
1634 Charles River Co established
1637 Charles River Co name changed to York Co 1654 New Kent Co split from York Co |
King and Queen |
|
|
1634 Charles River Co established
1637 Charles River Co name changed to York Co 1654 New Kent Co split from York Co 1691 King and Queen split from New Kent Co |
|
Albemarle |
Brunswick |
|
1617 Henrico Co established
1728 Goochland split from Henrico Co 1744 Albemarle Co split from Goochland Co |
1617 Brandon Shire established
1634 Brandon Co dissolved; Charles City established 1702 Prince George Co split from Charles City Co 1720 Brunswick Co split from Prince George Co |
Lunenburg |
Bedford |
|
1617 Brandon Shire established
1634 Brandon Co dissolved; Charles City established 1702 Prince George Co split from Charles City Co 1720 Brunswick Co split from Prince George Co 1746 Lunenburg Co split from Brunswick Co |
1617 Brandon Shire established
1634 Brandon Co dissolved; Charles City established 1702 Prince George Co split from Charles City Co 1720 Brunswick Co split from Prince George Co 1746 Lunenburg Co split from Brunswick Co 1753 Bedford Co split from Lunenburg Co |
Lancaster |
Middlesex |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian
Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian
Lands
1651 Lancaster Co formed from Northumberland & York Co 1669 Middlesex Co split from Lancaster Co |
Essex |
Richmond |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex split from Rappahannock Co 1692 Rappahannock Co extinct |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Richmond split from Rappahannock Co 1692 Rappahannock Co extinct |
Caroline |
|
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex split from Rappahannock Co 1692 Rappahannock Co extinct 1728 Caroline Co split from Essex Co |
|
Spotsylvania |
Accomack |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co |
1634 Accawmack Co established
1643 Accawmack Co named changed to Northampton Co 1661 Accomack split from Northampton Co |
Hanover |
Louisa |
|
1634 Charles River Co established
1637 Charles River Co name changed to York Co 1654 New Kent Co split from York Co 1720 Hanover Co split from New Kent Co |
1634 Charles River Co established
1637 Charles River Co name changed to York Co 1654 New Kent Co split from York Co 1720 Hanover Co split from New Kent Co 1742 Louisa Co split from Hanover Co |
Orange |
Loudoun |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian
Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Richmond split from Rappahannock Co 1720 King George Co split from Richmond Co 1730 Prince William Co split from King George Co 1742 Fairfax Co split from Prince William Co 1757 Loudoun Co split from Fairfax Co 1796 Southern Loudon Co given to Fairfax Co |
Culpeper |
|
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co 1748 Culpeper Co split from Orange Co |
|
Augusta |
Botetourte |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co 1745 Augusta Co split from Orange Co |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co 1745 Augusta Co split from Orange Co 1770 Botetourt Co split from Augusta Co |
Fincastle |
Montgomery/Washington |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co 1745 Augusta Co split from Orange Co 1770 Botetourt Co split from Augusta Co 1772 Fincastle Co split from Botetourt Co |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co 1745 Augusta Co split from Orange Co 1770 Botetourt Co split from Augusta Co 1772 Fincastle Co split from Botetourt Co 1777 Fincastle Co extinct: Montgomery and Washington counties established |
Russell |
Wythe |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co 1745 Augusta Co split from Orange Co 1770 Botetourt Co split from Augusta Co 1772 Fincastle Co split from Botetourt Co 1777 Fincastle Co extinct: Montgomery and Washington counties established 1786 Russell Co split from Washington Co |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co 1745 Augusta Co split from Orange Co 1770 Botetourt Co split from Augusta Co 1772 Fincastle Co split from Botetourt Co 1777 Fincastle Co extinct: Montgomery and Washington counties established 1789 Wythe Co split from Montgomery Co |
Scott |
Grayson |
|
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co 1745 Augusta Co split from Orange Co 1770 Botetourt Co split from Augusta Co 1772 Fincastle Co split from Botetourt Co 1777 Fincastle Co extinct: Montgomery and Washington counties established 1786 Russell Co split from Washington Co 1814 Scott formed from Lee, Russell, & Washington Cos |
1645 Northumberland Co established from Chickacoan Indian Lands
1651 Lancaster Co split from Northumberland Co 1656 Rappahannock Co split from Lancaster Co 1692 Essex Co split from Rappahannock Co 1720 Spotsylvania Co split from Essex Co 1734 Orange Co split from Spotsylvania Co 1745 Augusta Co split from Orange Co 1770 Botetourt Co split from Augusta Co 1772 Fincastle Co split from Botetourt Co 1777 Fincastle Co extinct: Montgomery and Washington counties established 1789 Wythe Co split from Montgomery Co 1792 Grayson Co split from Wythe Co |
Albermarle County |
Louisa County |
|
1617 Henrico Co established
1728 Goochland Co split from Henrico Co 1744 Albermarle Co split from Goochland Co |
1634 Charles River Co established
1637 Charles River Co name changed to York Co 1654 New Kent Co split from York Co 1720 Hanover Co split from New Kent Co 1742 Louisa Co split from Hanover Co |
Amherst County |
Bedford County |
|
1617 Henrico Co established
1728 Goochland Co split from Henrico Co 1744 Albermarle Co split from Goochland Co 1761 Amherst Co split from Albermarle Co |
1617 Henrico Co established
1728 Goochland Co split from Henrico Co 1744 Albermarle Co split from Goochland Co 1753 Bedford Co split from Albermarle Co |
Orange District |
|
|
1734 Established as Western District of Virginia |
|
Shenandoah County |
Frederick |
|
1738 Frederick Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1772 Dunmore Co split from Frederick Co 1778 Dunmore Co name changed to Shenandoah Co |
1738 Frederick Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands) |
Page County |
Augusta County |
|
1738 Frederick Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1772 Dunmore Co split from Frederick Co 1778 Dunmore Co name changed to Shenandoah Co 1831 Page Co split from Shenandoah and Rockingham Counties |
1738 Augusta Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1778 Rockingham Co split from Augusta Co |
Hardy County (W VA) |
Hampshire County (W VA) |
|
1738 Frederick Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1753 Hampshire Co split from Frederick Co 1785 Hardy Co split from Hampshire Co 1863 West Virginia created from Virginia |
1738 Frederick Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1753 Hampshire Co split from Frederick Co 1863 West Virginia created from Virginia |
Grant County (W VA) |
Warren County |
|
1738 Frederick Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1753 Hampshire Co split from Frederick Co 1785 Hardy Co split from Hampshire Co 1863 West Virginia created from Virginia 1866 Grant Co split from Hardy Co |
1738 Frederick Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1836 Warren formed from Frederick & Shenandoah |
Rockingham County |
Montgomery County |
|
1738 Augusta Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1778 Rockingham Co split from Augusta Co |
1738 Augusta Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1777 Montgomery Co split from Augusta Co |
Pendleton (W VA) |
Wythe County |
|
1738 Augusta Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1778 Rockingham Co split from Augusta Co1788 1788 Pendleton Co split from Hardy Co 1863 West Virginia created from Virginia |
1738 Augusta Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1777 Montgomery Co split from Augusta Co 1789 Wythe Co split from Montgomery Co |
Jefferson (W VA) |
Berkeley (W VA) |
|
1738 Frederick Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1772 Berkeley Co split from Frederick Co 1801 Jefferson Co split from Berkeley Co 1863 West Virginia created from Virginia |
1738 Frederick Co created from Orange Dist. (unorganized western lands)
1772 Berkeley Co split from Frederick Co 1863 West Virginia created from Virginia |