It may seem we have wandered far from the formation of counties, but since the accessibility of justice for all was a prime consideration in their creation, it would appear well to examine the means by which the average citizen could have his grievances heard and decided. The importance of the county monthly court in his life cannot be overestimated. While on business at court, he had opportunity to see his friends, play cards, gamble, race horses, fight, drink, "swap" horses and other livestock, attend the muster of county militia to which he belonged, and see the newest articles imported from England. The county court and his parish church services were his chief contacts with the world that lay beyond his plantation. "JUSTICE ACCESSIBLE TO ALL." COUNTY DIVISIONS BEGIN Scarcely had the eight original counties begun to function before the expansion of population forced the erection of a new one. In 1636 that part of Elizabeth City County lying on the south side of Hampton Roads became a separate entity under the name of New Norfolk, a name probably derived from the English shire. No court records of this year survive. The next year 1637, New Norfolk itself was divided into Lower Norfolk and Upper Norfolk counties. Also in 1637, Warrosquyoake County lost its Indian name, becoming Isle of Wight. By Act of Assembly passed in January 1639/40, the bounds between these three counties were set as follows: Isle of Wight to begin at Lawne's Creek, thence down the main river to Richard Hays's, formerly John Seaward's, including the said plantation and families and from thence from the main river into the woods southerly to the plantation of William Nowell and Mr. Robert Pitt, with the said plantation and families, and thence south as aforesaid. The Upper County of New Norfolk to begin at the aforesaid plantation of Richard Hays, from thence southerly into the woods as aforesaid, and by the main river, from thence to extend down by the main river unto the creek near the plantation of Francis Bullock being the first creek to the westward of Crany Point including the plantation of the said Francis Bullock and no ways intrenching upon the Western Branch of Elizabeth River nor the creek thereof which do belong to the county of Lower Norfolk. The parishes in these counties were ordered to be coterminous with the bounds of the counties. Upper Norfolk County kept its name only a few years; in March 1645/46, the Assembly directed it should "be from henceforth nominated and called county of Nansemun." INDIAN DISTRICT CHICKACOAN BECOMES NORTHUMBERLAND