Article VII, Section 2 of the Constitution of Virginia specifies that the General Assembly shall, by general law, provide for the organization, government, powers, change of boundaries, consolidation and dissolution of counties, cities, towns and regional governments in Virginia.
Historical overview
The ancient Greeks pledged allegiance to their cities, not to any nation-state. They were Spartans or Athenians or Carthaginians. Indeed, they pledged their loyalty to their city. “We will never disgrace on this our City by an act of dishonesty or cowardice … We will revere and obey the City’s laws, and will do our best to incite a like reverence and respect in those above us who are prone to annul them or set them at naught.”
As the early colony spread from the first settlement in Jamestown, it became evident that centralized government would be impractical. Some method of local governance would be necessary in the colony. In 1618, one year before the formation of the General Assembly, the Virginia Company tried to merge the existing settlements into four boroughs, each with a court for discharging routine administrative and judicial matters. But this proved ineffective primarily because the Company was also encouraging large scale settlements within the borough boundaries and each plantation enjoyed legal authority and a degree
of autonomy.
The eight original shires, later called counties - James City, Henrico, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Warwick River, Warrosquyoake (Isle
of Wight), Charles River (York County), and Accawmack – were established in 1634. Originally each was served by: a governing body, a county court with both legislative and judicial functions as well as administrative functions; a few civil/military officers; and a church parish. The Sheriff, appointed by the Royal Governor, was the chief local officer and performed a variety of executive functions
The first city, Williamsburg, was not chartered in 1722 and the first town, Richmond was incorporated in 1742. (Richmond did not attain city status until in 1782)
At the time of the revolution, there was only one city (Williamsburg) and four towns (Richmond, Dumfries-1749, Smithfield-1752, and Leesburg-1758) in existence.
As the early colony spread from the first settlement in Jamestown, it became evident that centralized government would be impractical. Some method of local governance would be necessary in the colony. In 1618, one year before the formation of the General Assembly, the Virginia Company tried to merge the existing settlements into four boroughs, each with a court for discharging routine administrative and judicial matters. But this proved ineffective primarily because the Company was also encouraging large scale settlements within the borough boundaries and each plantation enjoyed legal authority and a degree
of autonomy.
The eight original shires, later called counties - James City, Henrico, Charles City, Elizabeth City, Warwick River, Warrosquyoake (Isle
of Wight), Charles River (York County), and Accawmack – were established in 1634. Originally each was served by: a governing body, a county court with both legislative and judicial functions as well as administrative functions; a few civil/military officers; and a church parish. The Sheriff, appointed by the Royal Governor, was the chief local officer and performed a variety of executive functions
The first city, Williamsburg, was not chartered in 1722 and the first town, Richmond was incorporated in 1742. (Richmond did not attain city status until in 1782)
At the time of the revolution, there was only one city (Williamsburg) and four towns (Richmond, Dumfries-1749, Smithfield-1752, and Leesburg-1758) in existence.