Is James City Virginia the same as Jamestown?
Sarah Martinez
Updated on January 11, 2026
Jamestown, which evolved into James City County, was named for King James I. When King James revoked the charter of the London Company in 1624, Virginia became the first royal colony of the king.
Who first owned Virginia?
The founder of the new colony was the Virginia Company, with the first two settlements in Jamestown on the north bank of the James River and Popham Colony on the Kennebec River in modern-day Maine, both in 1607….
| Colony of Virginia | |
|---|---|
| Status | Dissolved |
| Capital | Jamestown (1607–1699) Williamsburg (1699–1776) |
How many plantations are in Charles City VA?
The James River Plantations – Charles City County, Virginia is a local tourism association organized in 1993 by nine historic landmark plantations and two fine dining establishments, as the first tourism organization in Charles City County, Virginia.
How big is Charles City VA?
6.993 km²
Charles City/Area
What county in VA is Williamsburg?
James City County
James City County is a county located in the Commonwealth of Virginia. As of the 2010 census, the population was 67,009. The county seat is Williamsburg.
What is the largest city in James City County?
Located on the Virginia Peninsula, James City County is included in the Virginia Beach-Norfolk-Newport News, VA-NC Metropolitan Statistical Area….James City County, Virginia.
| James City County | |
|---|---|
| • Total | 67,009 |
| • Estimate (2018) | 76,397 |
| • Density | 370/sq mi (140/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
Who founded Virginia and why?
The Virginia Colony was founded in 1607 by John Smith and other colonists including John Rolfe backed by the London Company, at Jamestown. Named after Queen Elizabeth I of England – the “Virgin Queen”.
What is the oldest plantation in Virginia?
Shirley Plantation
Charles City County: Shirley Plantation. Shirley is a premier example of an colonial Virginia tobacco plantation and is the oldest plantation in Virginia, dating to 1613. The property was patented to Edward Hill in 1660 and remains in the possession of his family today.
Are the James River plantations open?
The grounds are open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily and guided tours of the house are available daily by appointment. Shirley Plantation, settled in 1613, is the oldest plantation in Virginia and the oldest family-owned business in North America, dating back to 1638.
How did Charles City County Virginia get its name?
Charles City County is one of the oldest governmental units in America. Named after the son of King James who later became King Charles I of England, it was one of four “boroughs” or “incorporations” created by the Virginia Company in 1619. The first Charles City County courthouses were located along the James River at Westover and City Point.
When did the English colonize Charles City Virginia?
The English began to colonize the area under the auspices of the Virginia Company, a private company formed to support this effort and gain profits from expected development and trade. In 1619 the Virginia Company established Charles Cittie (sic) as one of the first four “boroughs” or “incorporations” in the region.
When was Charles City Shire established in Virginia?
In 1634, Charles City Shire became one of the eight original Shires of Virginia established by the British in the Virginia Colony.
When did Charles City County become Prince George?
Charles City County was one of the original Virginia shires of 1634. As the population increased, several other counties were formed from this territory. Beginning in 1703, all of the original area of Charles City County south of the James River was severed to form Prince George.
