Grafton, Virginia facts for kids
Grafton is a small place in York County, Virginia, in the United States. It's located on a piece of land called the Virginia Peninsula.
An unincorporated community means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially a city or town with its own local government. Instead, it's part of the larger county. In 2010, about 18,846 people lived in the Grafton area.
The Story of Grafton's Name
How Grafton Got Its Name
Grafton wasn't always called Grafton! Long ago, this area was known as Cockletown. But in 1783, the people living there decided to change the name.
They chose to honor the only church in their community. The pastor of that church, a man named John Leland, came from a town called Grafton, Massachusetts. He suggested his hometown's name, and everyone agreed!
A Surprising Connection
It's interesting to note that when the community was renamed, the people didn't know they were also indirectly naming it after a very important person in England. This person was the 3rd Duke of Grafton, Lord Augustus FitzRoy. A Duke is a high-ranking noble title. Lord FitzRoy was even a Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1768 to 1770. A Prime Minister is the head of the government in some countries, similar to a president.
