Fincastle County, Virginia
Encyclopedia
Fincastle County, Virginia, was created in 1772 from Botetourt County, the boundaries of which extended all the way to the Mississippi River
. Fincastle County was abolished in 1776, and divided into three new counties—Montgomery County
, Washington County
, and Kentucky County
(which later became the Commonwealth of Kentucky).
Although no county seat
was designated by the act creating the county, the colonial governor ordered it to be placed at the "Lead Mines" of Wythe County, where Austinville, Virginia
, is now located.
Botetourt County may have been named for the English home of Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt
, a very popular governor of the Colony of Virginia, who died just before the tensions of the impending American Revolution
made the job much more difficult. John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore
and Viscount
of Fincastle, succeeded Lord Botetourt. Fincastle County may have been named in his honor, or for his son Lord Fincastle. If so, the decision to change the name in 1776 is very logical. At that time, Lord Dunmore was leading the military opposition to the "rebels" in Virginia, and had already issued Dunmore's Proclamation
offering to free any slaves who fled their Virginia masters and joined the royal British forces.
The name remains represented on Virginia
maps by the town of Fincastle
, the county seat of the original Botetourt County.
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
. Fincastle County was abolished in 1776, and divided into three new counties—Montgomery County
Montgomery County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 83,629 people, 30,997 households, and 17,203 families residing in the county. The population density was 215 people per square mile . There were 32,527 housing units at an average density of 84 per square mile...
, Washington County
Washington County, Virginia
As of the census of 2000, there were 51,103 people, 21,056 households, and 14,949 families residing in the county. The population density was 91 people per square mile . There were 22,985 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
, and Kentucky County
Kentucky County, Virginia
Kentucky County was formed by the Commonwealth of Virginia by dividing Fincastle County into three new counties: Kentucky, Washington, and Montgomery, effective December 31, 1776. Four years later Kentucky County was abolished on June 30, 1780, when it was divided into Fayette, Jefferson, and...
(which later became the Commonwealth of Kentucky).
Although no county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
was designated by the act creating the county, the colonial governor ordered it to be placed at the "Lead Mines" of Wythe County, where Austinville, Virginia
Austinville, Virginia
Austinville is an unincorporated community that spans both Carroll County and Wythe County, Virginia, United States. New River Trail State Park runs through Austinville. Shot Tower Historical State Park is located nearby. The town is the birthplace of Stephen F. Austin, for whose family it is...
, is now located.
Botetourt County may have been named for the English home of Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt
Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt
Norborne Berkeley, 4th Baron Botetourt , was a courtier, member of parliament, and royal governor of the colony of Virginia from 1768 until his death in 1770.-Life:...
, a very popular governor of the Colony of Virginia, who died just before the tensions of the impending American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
made the job much more difficult. John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore
John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore
John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore was a British peer and colonial governor. He was the son of William Murray, 3rd Earl of Dunmore, and his wife Catherine . He is best remembered as the last royal governor of the Colony of Virginia.John was the eldest son of William and Catherine Murray, and nephew...
and Viscount
Viscount
A viscount or viscountess is a member of the European nobility whose comital title ranks usually, as in the British peerage, above a baron, below an earl or a count .-Etymology:...
of Fincastle, succeeded Lord Botetourt. Fincastle County may have been named in his honor, or for his son Lord Fincastle. If so, the decision to change the name in 1776 is very logical. At that time, Lord Dunmore was leading the military opposition to the "rebels" in Virginia, and had already issued Dunmore's Proclamation
Dunmore's Proclamation
Dunmore's Proclamation is a historical document issued on November 7, 1775, by John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, royal governor of the British Colony of Virginia...
offering to free any slaves who fled their Virginia masters and joined the royal British forces.
The name remains represented on Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
maps by the town of Fincastle
Fincastle, Virginia
Fincastle is a town in Botetourt County, Virginia, United States. The population was 353 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Botetourt County.Fincastle is part of the Roanoke Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, the county seat of the original Botetourt County.