VIRGINIA - A state steeped in early American history, boasts some of the oldest continuous political subdivisions in the United States. The story of its county system begins shortly after the establishment of Jamestown, with a pivotal year being 1634. Then, the Virginia Colony's government organized its territory into distinct administrative units, laying the groundwork for the counties we know today.
Virginia's Foundational Four: The Oldest Counties Established in 1634
Four of these earliest divisions stand out for their continuous existence since that foundational year.
The Genesis: Virginia's Eight Original Shires (1634)
In 1634, the Virginia General Assembly formally divided the colony into eight original "shires," an English term that served as the precursor to the modern county. (Source: Virginia General Assembly records, historical accounts of colonial Virginia). This act was crucial for establishing local governance, law enforcement, and militia organization within the growing colony.
The Enduring Four: Continuous Existence Since 1634
While eight shires were created in 1634, only four have maintained a continuous political existence in the same form to the present day. These are Virginia's oldest counties:
- Henrico County: Established directly as Henrico Shire in 1634, it was named in honor of Henry, Prince of Wales, the eldest son of King James I of England. (Source: Library of Virginia, historical records). Its boundaries have changed significantly as new counties were formed from its territory, but its governmental existence has been continuous since 1634.
- Charles City County: Originally established as Charles City Shire in 1634, it transitioned to the designation of Charles City County around 1643. (Source: Charles City County Historical records, Library of Virginia).
- James City County: Established as James City Shire in 1634, it became James City County relatively quickly, around 1636. (Source: James City County Historical records, Library of Virginia). It is historically significant as the home of Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America.
- York County: This county underwent a slightly more complex naming evolution. It was established as Charles River Shire in 1634. It was later renamed York County around 1642 or 1643, likely in honor of the Duke of York (who later became King James II). (Source: York County Historical Records, Library of Virginia). Despite the name change, its continuous administrative existence dates back to the original shire formation in 1634.
Clarification on Other Original Shires
The other four original shires established in 1634 were:
- Warwick River Shire: Renamed Warwick County in 1643. It existed until 1952, when it became the independent city of Warwick, which subsequently consolidated with Newport News in 1958.
- Elizabeth City Shire: Renamed Elizabeth City County in 1643. It existed until 1952, when it was incorporated into the independent city of Hampton.
- Accawmack Shire: Located on the Eastern Shore. It was renamed Northampton County in 1642. The name Accomack was later reused in 1663 for a new county split off from Northampton, but the original Accawmack Shire is considered the direct predecessor of Northampton County.
- Warrosquyoake Shire: Renamed Isle of Wight County in 1637.
While the Isle of Wight and Northampton counties also trace their origins back to 1634 shires, they experienced name changes (Isle of Wight) or had their original territory split (Northampton/Accomack), making their "continuous" identity slightly less direct than the four listed above. However, the Isle of Wight is often included in lists of the oldest counties due to its 1637 renaming. York County's name change is generally considered less significant regarding continuity.
Virginia's history is deeply intertwined with the formation of its counties. While the system began with eight shires in 1634, Henrico, Charles City, James City, and York counties stand out as the four oldest counties in Virginia, maintaining a continuous political and administrative existence since that foundational year. They serve as living links to North America's earliest days of colonial governance. Based on the search results and your location in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania:
