Colony of Virginia

Colony of Virginia
Geographical
Region	Middle colonies
Capital	Williamsburg
Historical
Currency	Virginia pound

The Colony of Virginia (also known frequently as the Virginia Colony and occasionally as the Dominion and Colony of Virginia) was the English colony in North America that existed briefly during the 16th century, and then continuously from 1607 until the American Revolution (as a British colony after 1707). The name Virginia was first applied by Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth I in 1584. After the English Civil War in the mid 17th century, the Virginia Colony was nicknamed "The Old Dominion" by King Charles II for its perceived loyalty to the English monarchy during the era of the Commonwealth of England.

After independence from Great Britain in 1783 (Treaty of Paris), a southeastern portion of the original Virginia Colony became the Commonwealth of Virginia, one of the original thirteen states of the United States, adopting as its official slogan, "The Old Dominion." After the United States was formed, the entire states of West Virginia, Kentucky, Indiana and Illinois, and portions of Ohio were all later created from the territory encompassed earlier by the Colony of Virginia.

History

The name "Virginia" is the oldest designation for English claims in North America. The name Virginia originates from an expedition sent by Sir Walter Raleigh in 1584 which recorded the name of the Roanoke Colony area's most powerful Native American chief, "Wingina," modified later that year by Queen Elizabeth I to "Virginia", noting her status as the "Virgin Queen." Initially, the term "Virginia" applied to the entire eastern coast of North America from the 34th parallel (near Cape Fear) north to the 48th parallel, including the shorelines of Acadia and a large portion of inland Canada. Both Spain and France had claims to the region, but neither was able to prevent the English from becoming the dominant power. To the south along the Atlantic Coast of North America, Spain attempted to establish settlements at least as far north as South Carolina. The short-lived Ajacan Mission is believed to have been established on the shore of Chesapeake Bay. The Spanish colony of Spanish Florida, centered on St. Augustine, was established in 1565.

In 1620, a successor to the Plymouth Company sent colonists to the New World aboard the Mayflower. Known as pilgrims, they successfully established a settlement in what became Massachusetts. The portion of what had been Virginia north of the 40th parallel became known as New England, according to books written by Captain John Smith, who had made a voyage there.

In 1624, the Virginia Company's charter was revoked by King James I and the Virginia Colony was transferred to royal authority as a crown colony. Subsequent charters for the Maryland Colony in 1632 and the Carolina Colony in 1665 further reduced the Virginia Colony to coastal borders it held until the American Revolution.

Bibliography

• Virginia History in Documents 1621-1788.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 16.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 17.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 17 (continued).
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 17 (continued).
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 17 (continued).
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 18.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 18.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 18.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 18.
• Errata: Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 18.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 19.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 19.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 19.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 19.
• Miscellaneous Colonial Documents Volume 20.