Charles City Shire

Charles City Shire was formed in 1634 in the Virginia colony. It was named for Charles I, the King of England, and was renamed Charles City County in 1637.

History

During the 17th century, shortly after establishment of the Jamestown Settlement in 1607, English settlers explored and began settling the areas adjacent to Hampton Roads. By 1634, by order of the King of England, Charles I, eight shires or counties were formed with a total population of approximately 5,000 inhabitants. By 1643, the shires had been renamed as counties.

Charles City Shire (and County) originally extended to both sides of the James River, and Charles City Point on the south side later became known simply as City Point in an area subdivided to form Prince George County. City Point became part of the independent city of Hopewell in 1923.

In 2005, Charles City County is considered one the five shires in Virginia still extant in essentially the same political entity as originally formed.

This article incorporates text from the public domain 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica.