James City Shire was formed in the Britishcolony of Virginia in 1634.
During the 17th century, shortly after establishment ofJamestown in 1607, English settlers explored and began settling the areas adjacent toHampton Roads.
On, November 18, 1618, theVirginia Company of London, proprietor of the colony, gave instructions on the formation of a laudable government for the Colony to SirGeorge Yeardley when he departed from London to become full governor of Virginia.[1] As directed, in 1619, Governor Yeardly established four large corporations, termed citties (sic), which were designated to encompass the developed portion of the colony. These wereKecoughtan (later renamed Elizabeth Cittie), James Cittie, Charles Cittie, and Henrico Cittie.
In 1634, by order ofCharles I, King of England, eightshires orcounties with a total population of approximately 5,000 inhabitants were established in the colony of Virginia. The area included what is nowSurry County (across the James River), part ofCharles City County and some ofNew Kent County.
James City Shire, as well as theJames River and Jamestown took their name from KingJames I, the late father of the king. About 1642-43, the name of the James City Shire was changed toJames City County. It is considered one of the 5 original shires of the Virginia colony to be extant essentially in the same political form (county) in 2005.
Williamsburg became anindependent city from James City County in 1884. However they share a school system, courts, and some constitutional officers.
