Brunswick County: Virginia's Best-Kept Secret

Brunswick County is a rural county located on the southern border of the Commonwealth of Virginia in the United States. It was created in 1720 from parts of Prince George, Surry and Isle of Wight counties. The county is named for the former Duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg, a German region associated with the British monarchs of the House of Hanover. Brunswick County is known for its diverse rural economy, including tobacco cultivation and lumber harvesting, and its population was 15,849 as of the 2020 census. The county seat is Lawrenceville, and it is famous for its Brunswick stew, a traditional Southern dish with contested origins.

Brunswick County, Virginia, was created in 1720

The history of Brunswick County dates back to the early 18th century when the first English settlers arrived in the area. Among them were indentured servants, including men deported from Scotland after being convicted in the Jacobite rising of 1715. These early colonists gradually pushed out the Native Americans who had previously inhabited the land.

One notable figure in the early history of Brunswick County was James Pittillo, a Scots rebel who arrived as a convict. He survived his indenture and was granted land on Wagua Creek, eventually becoming a major landowner. He served as a tobacco inspector and played a role in surveying the border between Virginia and North Carolina.

In 1732, Brunswick County received additional land from Surry and Isle of Wight counties, expanding its borders. However, in 1745, due to population growth, Brunswick County was divided, and its current western border was established.

Today, Brunswick County is known for its diverse rural economy, including tobacco, mixed crops, and lumber. It is also famous for its culinary specialty, Brunswick stew, which has become a symbol of the county's cultural heritage. The county is home to a diverse population, with a rich history that reflects the complex social and economic dynamics of the region.

The county is named for the Duchy of Brunswick-Luneburg

The Duchy of Brunswick-Luneburg was located in what is now northwestern Germany. Its capital was the city of Brunswick (Braunschweig). The duchy was formed out of the possessions of the senior branch of the House of Brunswick, which originated from the Italian House of Este. The title "Duke of Brunswick and Luneburg" was held by various members of the Welf family, who ruled several small territories in the region.

The Duchy of Brunswick-Luneburg was incorporated into the Kingdom of Westphalia during the Napoleonic Wars in the early 19th century but regained its independence in 1813. It joined the North German Confederation in 1867 and became part of the German Empire in 1871. The Duchy of Brunswick-Luneburg ceased to exist after World War I, with its territory being incorporated into the Weimar Republic as the Free State of Brunswick.

Brunswick County's population was 15,849 as of the 2020 census

Brunswick County, Virginia, is located on the southern border of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was formed in 1720 from parts of Prince George, Surry, and Isle of Wight counties. The county was named for the former Duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg, a German possession of George I, from which the British monarchs of the House of Hanover originated.

As of the 2020 census, Brunswick County's population was 15,849, a decrease from the 2010 census, which recorded a population of 17,434. This continues a downward trend in population since the 1960 census, which recorded a population of 21,605. The population density in Brunswick County is relatively low, with 32 people per square mile as of the 2000 census.

The racial makeup of Brunswick County has shifted over time. As of the 2010 census, 57.3% of the population was Black or African American, 40.4% was White, 0.3% was Asian, 0.2% was Native American, 0.8% was some other race, and 0.9% was two or more races. The Hispanic or Latino population, which may be of any race, was 1.7%.

The county seat of Brunswick County is Lawrenceville, and it is famous for its association with Brunswick stew. The county is bisected by Interstate 85, U.S. 1, and U.S. Highway 58. It covers a total area of 569 square miles, with 566 square miles of land and 3.2 square miles of water.

The county seat is Lawrenceville

Brunswick County, Virginia, is a rural county located on the southern border of the Commonwealth of Virginia. It was created in 1720 from parts of Prince George, Surry, and Isle of Wight counties. The county seat is Lawrenceville.

A county seat is the town or city where the county's administrative and judicial functions are centred. In other words, it is the location of the county's government. County seats typically contain courthouses, administrative offices, and other government buildings. They often serve as the cultural and economic hub of the county, with businesses, services, and infrastructure centred around the seat.

Lawrenceville, as the county seat of Brunswick County, serves as the administrative and judicial centre for the county. It is where the county's government offices, courthouses, and other official buildings are located. Lawrenceville is the place where residents of Brunswick County go to take care of official business, such as filing paperwork, attending court hearings, or accessing government services.

Being the county seat can bring recognition and attention to a town or city. It can also bring economic benefits, as the government presence can attract businesses and create jobs. Lawrenceville may benefit from these advantages due to its status as the county seat. Additionally, being the county seat can foster a sense of community and pride for the residents of Lawrenceville, as it is the central point of the county's governance and a symbol of its history and identity.

The role of a county seat is essential in maintaining the efficient operation of a county's government and judicial system. It provides a designated location for official meetings, hearings, and other governmental activities. By having a centralised location like Lawrenceville, Brunswick County ensures that its residents can conveniently access the services and resources they need.

Brunswick County is famous for its stew

Brunswick County, Virginia, is famous for its stew. The exact origin of the stew is disputed, with both Brunswick County, Virginia, and Brunswick, Georgia, claiming it was developed there. However, Brunswick County historians maintain that the original Brunswick stew was created in 1828 by a black American chef named Jimmy Matthews, also referred to as "Uncle" by some locals.

According to the story, Dr. Creed Haskins, a member of the Virginia State Legislature, took a group of friends on a hunting expedition. While the group hunted, Matthews, Haskins's enslaved camp cook, prepared a meal of stewed squirrels cooked in butter with onions, stale bread, and seasoning in a large iron pot. When the hunting party returned, they were initially reluctant to try the new, thick concoction, but they were soon convinced after taking their first taste and asked for more.

Over time, Brunswick stew has been prepared by numerous "stew masters," each adding their own variations to Jimmy Matthews's original recipe. Chicken has been substituted for squirrel, and vegetables such as corn, lima beans, butter beans, and okra have been added. The stew is often associated with the harvest season in the fall and is prepared in large batches for church functions, local fundraisers, family reunions, and political rallies.

In 1987, the Brunswick Chamber of Commerce and the County of Brunswick officially kicked off a campaign to increase awareness of Brunswick County's economic development opportunities by capitalizing on its famous Brunswick stew as a brand. The campaign included a Brunswick Stew-Fest on the Capitol grounds, where a resolution was passed proclaiming Brunswick County, Virginia, as "The Original Home of Brunswick Stew." This sparked a friendly rivalry with Brunswick, Georgia, which also claims to have created the traditional Southern dish, a dispute that has been coined "The Stew Wars."

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