Isle of Wight County, formerly called Warrosquoyacke after Indians of this area visited by Captain John Smith in 1608, was settled by Captain Christopher Lawne and other adventurers in 1619 and was one of eight original shires from 1634 to 1637. Its court house was located at Smithfield from 1694 to 1736 and again from 1749 to 1750, at Blackwater from 1736 to 1749, at Smithfield from 1750 to 1800, and at its present location from 1800.