VIRGINIA - A state steeped in the earliest chapters of American history, boasts a governmental structure that reaches back nearly four centuries. Long before its current configuration, the foundation of the Commonwealth was laid with the establishment of its first administrative divisions, known as shires. Created in 1634, these original shires represent the oldest counties in Virginia, offering a fascinating glimpse into the early organization and development of the colony.
VIRGINIA - A state steeped in the earliest chapters of American history, boasts a governmental structure that reaches back nearly four centuries. Long before its current configuration, the foundation of the Commonwealth was laid with the establishment of its first administrative divisions, known as shires. Created in 1634, these original shires represent the oldest counties in Virginia, offering a fascinating glimpse into the early organization and development of the colony.The Genesis of Virginia: Unveiling the Commonwealth's Oldest Counties
This article explores the establishment of these foundational counties and highlights the four that remain prominent parts of Virginia today.
1634: The Birth of the Original Shires
In 1634, the Virginia General Assembly formally divided the growing Virginia Colony into eight administrative units called shires. This act marked a significant step in establishing a more organized system of local governance, modeled after the English system of counties (Source: Library of Virginia, historical records of the Virginia General Assembly). These shires were created to better manage the expanding population and provide more localized administration.
The Eight Original Shires:
The eight original shires established in 1634 were:
- Accawmack Shire (later renamed Northampton County)
- Charles City Shire (now Charles City County)
- Charles River Shire (renamed York County in 1643)
- Elizabeth City Shire (later incorporated into the city of Hampton)
- Henrico Shire (now Henrico County)
- James City Shire (now James City County)
- Warrosquyoake Shire (renamed Isle of Wight County in 1637)
- Warwick River Shire (later Warwick County, now part of the city of Newport News)
The Enduring Four: Virginia's Oldest Continuously Named Counties
While all eight shires represent the oldest divisions, four counties retain names directly linked to their 1634 origins and continue to exist as distinct counties today:
- Henrico County: Established as Henrico Shire, named after Henricus, an early English settlement.
- Charles City County: Established as Charles City Shire, named after King Charles I of England.
- James City County: Established as James City Shire, named after King James I of England and encompassing the Jamestown settlement.
- York County: Originally established as Charles River Shire, it was renamed York County in 1643, likely after the English city of York.
These four counties are generally considered the "oldest" in Virginia due to their continuous existence and direct lineage back to the 1634 establishment.
Significance and Legacy
The creation of these original shires was a crucial step in the development of Virginia's governmental structure. They provided a framework for local administration, courts, and representation, laying the groundwork for the county system that persists throughout the United States today (Source: Virginia Historical Society, studies of colonial American governance). These counties encompass some of the most historically significant areas in the nation, including the site of the first permanent English settlement at Jamestown (within James City County).
The establishment of the eight original shires in 1634 marks the beginning of county government in Virginia. While boundaries have shifted and some names have changed, the legacy of these foundational divisions endures. Henrico, Charles City, James City, and York Counties stand as Virginia's oldest continuously existing counties, representing a direct link to the earliest days of the colony and the origins of local governance in America. Exploring their history offers a journey back to the very roots of the Commonwealth.
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