Charles City (Virginia Company)

Charles City (or Charles Cittie as it was then called) was one of four incorporations established in the Virginia Colony in 1619 by the proprietor, the Virginia Company. The plantations and developments were divided into four "incorporations" or "citties" (sic), as they were called. These were Charles City, Elizabeth City, Henrico City, and James City. The latter included the seat of government for the colony at Jamestown. Each of the four "citties " extended across the James River, the main conduit of transportation of the era. In 1634, under Royal authority, a portion became Charles City Shire, later Charles City County.