James City County’s claim to fame is Jamestown, where the first permanent English settlers in the New World built their fort. The capitals at Jamestown and then Williamsburg, which was formed from a portion of James City County and York County, were Colonial Virginia’s first and second government seats. But the story of James City County beyond the early Virginia capitals is little known to the millions who visit and thousands who have settled here.

James City County is one of three municipalities in the Historic Triangle, which celebrates Jamestown, Williamsburg, and Yorktown. The other municipalities are the City of Williamsburg and York County.

People who Populated the First County

Beginning shortly after Jamestown was founded in 1607, the surrounding land was granted to adventuring settlers who were mostly English emigrants. Some were members of the middle to minor gentry and others had mercantile connections. However, the land that became James City County was largely populated by less well-positioned individuals who were increasingly crowded out of the Old World. Those with land paid for indentured servants and slaves who were needed to acquire more land and to labor on homesteads and in tobacco fields.

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