Nottoway County
History of Nottoway County
Nottoway County was first inhabited by native Iroquoian Indians of the tribe of Nadowa. This name was Anglicized with the coming of English settlers to ‘Nottoway’. The Nadowa lived along the County’s only river which now, along with the general area, bears their name.
The area was visited by explorers and traders as early as 1650. English settlers began to populate the area in the early 1700’s. Most of these early inhabitants operated self-sufficient farms and plantations, taking advantage of the area’s favorable topography and wealth of natural resources.
Before the County established its own government, it was known as Nottoway Parish, a district of Amelia County. Nottoway Parish became Nottoway County in 1788.
The first railroad construction occurred around 1850, just prior to the Civil War and would prove instrumental only a few years later.
The County was the site of one battle during the Civil War. The “Battle of the Grove,” which was fought over control of the rail line through Nottoway which was a major supply line to TheArmy of Northern Virginia.
