Charlottesville Founded.
From the history of Albemarle County
published by Rev. Edgar Woods
(and for which this community is
greatly indebted) we find that the
foundation of Charlottesville was begun
"by the purchase of one thousand
acres from Colonel Richard Randolph
of Henrico, extending north and south
from near Morris creek, and east and
west from where the Chesapeake and
Ohio Depot now is to Preston Heights.
The title of the property was vested in
Dr. Thomas Walker as trustee, and he
was empowered to sell and convey it
to purchasers. The town was planned
at the eastern edge of this tract, and
consisted of four tiers of squares, each
tier running east and west, and containing
seven squares, and the four
tiers extending from Jefferson street on
the north to south street on the south.
The public square for the court house
was exterior to the limits of the town.
The act of Assembly establishing the
town was passed in November 1762.
It is therein recited that fifty acres of
land contiguous to the courthouse had
already been laid off into lots and
streets, and as it would be of great advantage
to the inhabitants of the county
if established a town for the reception
of traders, it was so established,
to be called and known by the name
of Charlottesville. Dictated by the
spirit of loyalty then prevalent, the
name was given in honor of Princess
Charlotte of Mecklenburg Strelity, who
had recently become Queen of England
as the wife of King George III."
