Warwick River was one of the original 8 shires formed in 1634; the name was shortened to Warwick County in 1643.   The county seat was Denbigh.  
The county became extinct in 1952, when it became the city of Warwick.   Warwick was consolidated with the city of Newport News in 1958.
Newport News was established as a town in 1880, though not incorporated as such.   The General Assembly incorporated the City of Newport News in 1896.
For more on Newport News history, visit the Main Street Library's Genealogy/Local History website