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Amherst County, Virginia

Amherst Co., VA

Amherst Co., VA


History

Amherst County was formed in 1761, from part of southwestern Albemarle County. The original county seat had been in Cabelsville, now Colleen, in what would later become Nelson County. The county was named for Lord Amherst, known as the "Conqueror of Canada", who commanded the British forces that successfully secured Canada from the French during the Seven Years' War. Jeffery Amherst had previously been named as Governor of Virginia, although he never came to this colony.

In 1806 the county took its present proportions, when Nelson County was formed from its northern half. At that point, the county seat was moved to the village of Five Oaks, later renamed Amherst. The present county courthouse was built in 1870 and has served the county ever since. Amherst County produced more Confederate soldiers per capita than anywhere else in the Confederate States of America.
Source: Wikipedia

Modern Day Adjacent Counties

Rockbridge County, Virginia – northwest
Nelson County, Virginia – northeast
Appomattox County, Virginia – southeast
Campbell County, Virginia – south
Lynchburg, Virginia – south (independent city)
Bedford County, Virginia – southwest

Gleanings From

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