Brunswick County: A Virginian Gem

Brunswick County is a rural county located in the southern region of Virginia, USA. It was created in 1720 from parts of Prince George, Surry, and Isle of Wight counties and was named for the former Duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg in Germany, which was one of the titles held by Britain's Hanoverian kings. The county is known for its rich history and heritage, including its association with Brunswick stew, a traditional Southern dish. The county seat is Lawrenceville, and it offers a range of attractions such as quaint towns, lakes, rivers, and trails for visitors to explore.

Brunswick, Virginia, is an unincorporated community in Brunswick County

Brunswick County is known for its rich history and heritage, including its association with the creation of Brunswick stew, a traditional Southern dish. The county seat is Lawrenceville, and the county is bisected by Interstate 85, U.S. 1, and U.S. Highway 58. The county covers a total area of 569 square miles, with a population of 15,849 as of the 2020 census.

The first English settlers arrived in what became Brunswick County during the years of Fort Christanna's operation (1714-1718). Among them were indentured servants, including men deported from Scotland after being convicted in the Jacobite rising of 1715. These men were required to work under indenture to repay their passage to the colony. Over time, the colonists pushed many Native Americans out of the area.

One notable resident of Brunswick County was James Pittillo, a Scots rebel who arrived as a convict. He eventually became a major landowner, acquiring over 4,000 acres of land in the area. Pittillo served as a tobacco inspector and played a role in surveying the border between Virginia and North Carolina.

Brunswick County, Virginia, is located on the southern border of the Commonwealth of Virginia

The county seat of Brunswick is Lawrenceville, and it is known for its rural character and historical significance. The county's population, as of the 2020 census, was 15,849, with a rich racial and ethnic diversity. The county covers a total area of 569 square miles, including small portions of water bodies.

Brunswick County has a fascinating history that dates back to the early 18th century when English settlers, including indentured servants and convicts, started to arrive. The county played a role in the American Revolutionary War, with Greensville County being formed from its eastern side in 1780. The area's economy has transformed over time, initially relying on tobacco cultivation with slave labour and later diversifying into mixed crops and lumber production.

The county is also famous for its culinary specialty, Brunswick stew. According to local historians, the stew was created in 1828 by an African American chef named Jimmy Matthews, also known as "Uncle" by locals. This stew has become a source of pride and community identity, with the county kicking off a campaign in 1988 to proclaim itself as "The Original Home of Brunswick Stew," challenging competing claims from Georgia.

Brunswick County, Virginia, offers a blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, attracting visitors interested in exploring its quaint towns, scenic lakes and rivers, and meandering countryside trails.

The county was created in 1720 from parts of Prince George, Surry and Isle of Wight counties

Brunswick County, Virginia, is 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 was named for the former Duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg, a region in Germany associated with the British monarchs of the House of Hanover.

The formation of Brunswick County occurred during a period of European political upheaval. After the death of Queen Anne, a Protestant king, George I, was recruited from Germany to ascend the English throne, rather than a Catholic relative of James II. This led to the creation of Spotsylvania County, named after one of George I's German states, and Brunswick County in 1720.

However, Brunswick County's establishment faced initial challenges due to slow population growth. Government operations in the county did not commence until 1732 when the General Assembly added portions, along with taxpayers, from Surry and Isle of Wight counties. This influx of taxpayers, referred to as "tithables," provided the necessary financial resources to establish county operations.

The history of Brunswick County is also marked by the arrival of the first English settlers during the early 18th century. These settlers occupied the protected lands near Fort Christanna, which operated from 1714 to 1718. Among these pioneers were indentured servants, including men deported from Scotland after being convicted in the Jacobite rising of 1715. Through their labour and the displacement of Native Americans, the colonists gradually established themselves in the region.

The county is named for the former Duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg, in Germany

Brunswick County, Virginia, was established 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 historical duchy that existed from the late Middle Ages to the Late Modern era within the Holy Roman Empire. The duchy was located in what is now northwestern Germany. Its name came from the two largest cities in the territory: Brunswick and Lüneburg.

The Duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg was formed in 1235 from the allodial lands of the House of Welf in Saxony. It was granted as an imperial fief to Otto the Child, a grandson of Henry the Lion. The dukedom emerged after Henry the Lion lost his titles as Duke of Saxony and Bavaria and went into exile for several years. The duchy was divided several times during the High Middle Ages among various lines of the House of Welf, but each ruler was styled "Duke of Brunswick-Lunenburg" in addition to his own particular title.

By 1692, the territories had consolidated to two: the Electorate of Brunswick-Lunenburg (commonly known as the Electorate of Hanover) and the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. In 1714, the Hanoverian branch of the family succeeded to the thrones of Great Britain and Ireland, which they ruled in personal union with Hanover until 1837. For this reason, many cities and provinces in former British colonies are named after Brunswick or Lüneburg.

The Wolfenbüttel line retained its independence, except from 1807 to 1813, when it and Hanover were merged into the Napoleonic Kingdom of Westphalia. After the Congress of Vienna in 1814/15, the Brunswick-Lunenburg territories became the Kingdom of Hanover and the Duchy of Brunswick.

Brunswick County is known for its Brunswick stew, which is said to have originated there in 1828

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 is named after the former Duchy of Brunswick-Lunenburg, a region associated with the British monarchs of the House of Hanover.

Over time, the original recipe has been adapted and modified by various "stew masters." Chicken has replaced squirrel meat, and vegetables have been added. The stew is often associated with the fall harvest season and the completion of tobacco processing. It is commonly served at church functions, local fundraisers, family reunions, and political rallies.

In 1987, Brunswick County began a campaign to promote economic development, deciding to capitalize on their famous Brunswick stew as a brand. On February 22, 1988, the county hosted a Brunswick Stew-Fest at the State Capitol in Richmond. This event celebrated a resolution passed by the General Assembly, proclaiming Brunswick County, Virginia, as "The Original Home of Brunswick Stew." This proclamation sparked a friendly rivalry with Brunswick, Georgia, which also claims to be the birthplace of the stew, leading to what has been dubbed "The Stew Wars."

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