OF THE SUBDIVISIONS OF VIRGINIA.
Sec. 5. The country is divided into twenty-nine counties, and the counties,
as they are in bigness, into fewer or more parishes, as they are filled
with inhabitants.
The method of bounding the counties is at this time with respect to the
convenience of having each county limited to one single river, for its
trade and shipping, so that any one whose concerns are altogether in one
county, may not be obliged to seek his freight and shipping in more than
one river. Whereas at first, they were bounded with respect to the
circuit, and the propinquity of the extremes to one common centre, by
which means one county reached then quite across a neck of land from
river to river. But this way of bounding the counties being found more
inconvenient than the other, it was changed by a law into what it is
now.
Besides this division into counties and parishes, there are two other
subdivisions, which are subject to the rules and alterations made by the
county courts, namely: into precincts or burroughs, for the limits of
constables; and into precincts or walks, for the surveyors of highways.
Sec. 6. There is another division of the country into necks of land, which
are the boundaries of the escheators, viz:
1. The northern neck between Potomac and Rappahannock rivers. This
is the proprietary in the Lord Colepepper's family.
2. The neck between Rappahannock and York rivers, within which
Pamunky neck is included.
3. The neck between York and James rivers.
4. The lands on the south side of James river.
5. The land on the eastern shore; in all, five divisions. Each of
which has its particular escheat-master.
In the northern neck are contained six counties. 1. Lancaster, viz: in
which are two parishes, viz: Christ Church, and Saint Mary White Chapel.
2. Northumberland, two parishes, viz: Fairfield and Boutracy, and
_Wiccocomoco_. 3. Westmoreland, two parishes, viz: Copely and
Washington. 4. Stafford, two parishes, viz: Saint Paul and Overworton.
5. Richmond, one parish, viz: North Farnham, and part of another, viz:
Sittenburn. 6. King George county, one parish, viz: Hanover, the other
part of Sittenburn.
In the neck between Rappahannock and York rivers, are contained six
other counties, viz:
1. Gloucester, in which are four parishes, viz: Pesso, Abingdon, Ware
and Kingston. 2. Middlesex, only one parish, viz: Christ Church. 3. King
and Queen, two parishes, viz: Stratton Major, Saint Stephen. 4. King
William, two parishes, viz: Saint John and Saint Margaret. 5. Essex,
three parishes, viz: South Farnham, Saint Anne, Saint Mary. 6.
Spottsylvania, one parish, viz: Saint George.
In the neck between York and James river, there are seven counties and
part of an eighth. The seven entire counties are: 1. Elizabeth City, in
which is only one parish, named also Elizabeth City parish. 2. The
Warwick, in which are two parishes, viz: Denby, Mulberry Island. 3.
York, in which are two parishes, viz: Charles and Yorkhampton, and part
of a third called Braton. 4. James City, in which are three parishes and
part of two others, viz: James City, part of Wilmington, Merchants'
Hundred, and the other half of Braton. 5. New Kent, two parishes, viz:
Blisland, and Saint Peter. 6. Charles City, two parishes, viz:
Westover, and part of Wilmington. 7. Hanover, one parish, viz: Saint
Paul. And 8. Part of Henrico county, on the north side of James river,
by which river the parishes are also divided, there being two parishes
in the whole county, viz: Henrico and Saint James, and part of a third
called Bristol.
On the south side James river are seven counties, and the other part of
Henrico. The seven counties, beginning at the bay as I have done in all
the rest are, viz: 1. Princess Anne, in which is but one parish, viz:
Lynhaven. 2. Norfolk, also one parish, called Elizabeth River. 3.
Nansemond, in which are three parishes, viz: Lower Parish, Upper Parish,
Chickaluck. 4. Isle of Wight, in which are two parishes, viz: Warwick
Squeeke Bay, and Newport. 5. Surry, two parishes, viz: Lyon's Creek,
Southwark. 6. Prince George, in which is one parish, viz: Martin
Brandon, and the other part of Bristol Parish, in Henrico. 7. Brunswick,
a new county constituted towards the southern pass of the mountains, on
purpose that by extraordinary encouragements the settlements may send up
that way first, as is given also to Spottsylvania county for the
northern pass. It is made one parish, by the name of Saint Andrew.
On the eastern shore, that is, on the east side the great bay of
Chesapeake, the place where Sir William Berkeley retired to in the
rebellion, without withdrawing from his government, (as Mr. Oldmixon
declares he did) are two counties. 1. Northampton, having one parish,
named Hungers. 2. Accomac, having one parish, named also Accomac.
In all there are at present twenty-nine counties, and fifty-four
parishes.
Sec. 7. There is yet another division of the country into districts,
according to the rivers, with respect to the shipping and navigation.
These are the bounds appointed for the naval officers, and collectors of
the public duties, and are as follows:
1. The upper parts of James river, from Hog island upwards.
2. The lower parts of James river, from Hog island downwards to
the capes, and round Point Comfort to Back river.
3. York, Poquoson, Mobjack bay, and Piankatank rivers.
4. Rappahannock river.
5. Potomac river.
6. Pocomoke, and the other parts on the eastern, made formerly two
districts, but they are now united into one.