Isle of Wight County covers 314 square miles and was one of the original shires formed in 1634. Its name was at first Warrascoyack, changed in 1637 to Isle of Wight. One of the oldest churches in the United States is in this county. Nansemond County covers 423 square miles. Formed in 1637 from New Norfolk County, it was first called Upper Norfolk County, but in 1642 it was named Nansemond for an Indian tribe. Dismal Swamp is partly in this county.