Charles River Shire was one of eight shires of Virginia created in the Virginia Colony in 1634. During the 17th century, shortly after establishment of Jamestown, Virginia in 1607, English settlers explored and began settling the areas adjacent to Hampton Roads. By 1634, the English colony of Virginia consisted of eight shires or counties with a total population of approximately 5,000 inhabitants. Charles River Shire (and York County) were the antecedents of dozens of counties and cities in Virginia and West Virginia due to the way the original boundaries were defined.