Colony of Virginia - 1607-1776

The original grant of territory given by the Crown (King James I) to the Virginia Company was extensive, as depicted in this drawing.  Over the years, the territory belonging to Virginia decreased.

By 1700, the fall line of the Rappahannock River would be the edge of the British Empire. To the west, Native Americans controlled the land.  To the east, land speculators and tobacco planters were in charge.  Former indentured servants, who became free after their years of service were completed, looked to frontier lands. 

By the time America became a nation of states, Virginia's land had diminished even further.  Ultimately, in addition to Virginia, several other states were born in the territory once belonging to the Virginia Colony.