New Kent County's past is full of historic events spanning 400 years. From Native American history, early English exploration and the birth of our nation, New Kent County and its surrounding area offer tourists great historical locations to visit.
1607
Captain John Smith was captured by the Powhatan Indians in New Kent and taken to the Tribal Village of Orapax on the Chickahominy River near the present day Hanover County line. (History and Driving Tour)
1654
By act of the House of Burgesses, New Kent became the twelfth county in Colonial Virginia. Its western boundary was described as “the frontier.”
1654
Foster’s Castle, the first plantation on the Pamunkey River, was established.
1662
Cumberland Plantation was established on the Pamunkey River at the site of the ferry from King William County.
1678
St. Peter's Church was established at Talleysville and built in 1701. The Church, where Martha Dandridge Custis worshipped and married General George Washington continues to hold regular services today.
1680
Brick House became the first town in New Kent however; it was the Seat of the County Courts prior to that time.
Martha Dandridge Custis Washington was born at Chestnut Grove.
1748
Cumberland, a colonial town on the Pamunkey River in New Kent, lost to Williamsburg by three votes to replace Jamestown as the capitol of the Virginia Colony.
1748
James Armistead, the New Kent slave who spied on the British for Lafayette and later took his surname, was born.
The Reverend Charles Smith establishes a Presbyterian settlement at Providence Forge.
1781
With a much smaller force, Lafayette harassed Cornwallis and his troops through New Kent causing them to withdraw to Yorktown. (History and Driving Tour)
1781
Washington and Rochambeau came through New Kent on their way to Victory at Yorktown. (History and Driving Tour)
1787
Most of the County's colonial records were destroyed when John Price Posey burned the Clerk's Office and Jail. Posey was later convicted and hanged.
1790
Letitia Christian Tyler was born at Cedar Grove. In 1813 she married John Tyler from neighboring Charles City County. John Tyler went on to become the 10th President of the United States.
1830- 1856
Several more of the County’s existing churches were established and built.
1861
In April the citizens met to prepare to arm and defend themselves for the Civil War. (History and Driving Tour)
1862
JEB Stuart’s Ride around the Union Army. (History and Driving Tour)
1882
The C&O Railway is constructed through New Kent.
1930
The New Kent High School, now a National Historic Landmark, is built.
1935
The New Kent Training School (for African American children) is built. The School, now a National Historic Landmark, was later named the George W. Watkins School in honor of its first principal.
