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Westmoreland County is a county located in the Northern Neck of the Commonwealth of Virginia, a state in the United States. In 2010, the population was 17,454. Its county seat is Montross.
[edit] History
As originally established by the House of Burgesses from Northumberland County, Virginia in 1653, the territory of Westmoreland County encompassed much of what later became the various counties and cities of Northern Virginia, including the city of Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, and Prince William County. These remained Westmoreland until 1664, when Stafford County, Virginia was formed. Westmoreland County was the birthplace of George Washington, the first President of the United States (at the former settlement of Bridges Creek, Virginia); James Monroe, the fifth President of the United States; and General Robert E. Lee, commander of the Confederate armies. It was the residence of Col. Nicholas Spencer, who patented the land at Mount Vernon in 1674 with his friend Lt. Col. John Washington, ancestor of George Washington. Spencer, who served as President of the Council and acting Governor of Virginia, was the cousin of and agent for the Barons Colepeper, proprietors of the Northern Neck. Spencer lived at his plantation Nomini, which his descendants later sold to Robert Carter I. Carter's grandson, Robert Carter III voluntarily freed almost 500 slaves from Nomini Hall beginning in 1791 and settled many on his lands, which he gave them. His manumission is the largest known release of slaves in North American history prior to the American Civil War and the largest number ever manumitted by an individual in the US. [edit] Timeline
[edit] Population History
Note: Westmoreland was reported with Richmond in 1800. Westmoreland's 1790 census boundaries were the same as those of 1810-1990. [edit] Research Tips
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