History

Washington County, Virginia

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The first white settlers arrived in what is present day Washington County in the 1760's.  Daniel Boone explored this area during his expeditions to Kentucky.   His dogs were attacked by wolfs near present day Abingdon., as a result he called the Abingdon area, Wolf Hills.   Washington County was formed from Fincastle County in 1777, the county seat, Abingdon was formed in 1778.  The orginal Washington County, VA in addition to containing some of the other present day surrounding counties also contained what is today, Sullivan County, TN.   

Ancestor Counties of Washington Co. VA

      Charles River Co                   Chickacoan Indian District
      name changed to                                     |
    York Co (1642/43)                  Northumberland Co (1648)
        |  !____________________________________!
        |                                                             |
    New Kent Co (1654)                    Lancaster Co (1651)
        |                                                             |
  King and Queen Co (1691)           Rappahanock Co (1656-1692) defunct 
       |  |______________                                   |
       |                         |                                   |
       |     King William Co (1702)      Essex Co (1692)
       !_____________!_________________________!
                        | 
            Spotsylvania Co (1721)
                        |
            Orange Co (1734)
                        |
              Augusta Co (1745)
                       |
                   Botetourt Co (1770)
                              |
                          Fincastle Co (1772-1777) defunct
                       _______________|_____________
                      |                                                  |
             Montgomery Co (1777)          Washington Co (1777)

                                               

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