Upper Norfolk County, Virginia facts for kids
Upper Norfolk County was a place in colonial Virginia that existed for a short time, from 1637 to 1646. It was one of the early areas set up by the English government in America.
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How Counties Started in Virginia
In 1634, the King of England decided to create eight large areas called shires (or counties) in the Virginia colony. These shires were like big districts that helped manage the land and people. One of these first shires was Elizabeth City Shire. This area included land on both sides of a waterway called Hampton Roads.
Forming New Norfolk County
A few years later, in 1636, a new county was made from Elizabeth City Shire. It was called New Norfolk County. This new county covered all the land that is now part of five independent cities in a region called South Hampton Roads. These cities are still there today.
Dividing New Norfolk County
In 1637, New Norfolk County was split into two smaller counties. These were Upper Norfolk County and Lower Norfolk County. This split helped to better organize the growing population and land in the colony.
What Happened to Upper Norfolk County?
Upper Norfolk County did not last very long. In 1646, it changed its name and became Nansemond County.
From County to City
Many years later, in 1972, Nansemond County also changed. It became an independent city named Nansemond. Then, just two years later, in 1974, the city of Nansemond joined with another city called Suffolk. The new, bigger city decided to use the name Suffolk. So, the area that was once Upper Norfolk County is now part of the modern city of Suffolk.
