In 1702 King William County was officially created by the Virginia General Assembly and was named for William of Orange, King of England.
The County’s courthouse was built in 1725 and quickly became the hub of political, social, and economic life. It was at the courthouse that Carter Braxton, a King William resident and signer of the Declaration of Independence, received news of the Battle of Lexington. A nearby tavern was noted as a regular stopping place for George Washington on his trips between Mount Vernon and Williamsburg.
Chelsea Plantation
Built in 1709 by Col. Augustine Moore, Chelsea Plantation is the 2nd oldest Virginia Plantation still open for tours. It is on the National Historical Registry. Here are a few important keynotes about Chelsea:
- During the Revolutionary War, General Lafayette encamped here during the campaign of 1781, just before the battle of Yorktown where he defeated Cornwalis.
- There is a historical marker at the corner of Rte 30 and Rte 635 signifying this.
- Robert E. Lee's grandmother was both born here and married here.
- Thomas Jefferson attended a wedding here of his best friend Dr. John Walker.
- Very 1st speaker of the House of Burgesses, Speaker John Robinson married a Moore of Chelsea.
- The parson at St John's Church (open for tours) was also the schoolmaster at Chelsea schoolhouse, which is still standing.
- The Knights of the Golden Horseshoe was formed here by Governor Alexander Spottswood.
- Col Augustine Moore's grandson Bernard II became one of the first 3 Admiralty Court Justices, which was the 1st judicial system in this country.
- George Washington stopped here on his Burgess Route on his way from Fredricksburg to Williamsburg.
- Tours open Thurs through Sunday 10am to 4:30pm, and group tours by appointment only Mon through Wed. Phone: 804-843-2386
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