West Virginia, Berkeley County, was the western part of the Commonwealth of Virginia until June 20, 1863. It was settled by Germans and Scotch-Irish and became a line of defense between the English and French during the French and Indian War, 1754-1763. Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen of England, was the site of the first permanent English settlement in America in 1607, was one of the 13 original colonies, and was the birthplace of eight United States presidents.