The county was throughout the West the unit of division, though in the North it became somewhat mixed with the township system.

It is a pity that the township could not have been the unit, as it would have rendered the social and political development in many respects easier, by giving to each little community responsibility for, and power in, matters concerning its own welfare; but the backwoodsmen lived so scattered out, and the thinly-settled regions covered so large an extent of territory, that the county was at first in some ways more suited to their needs.

Moreover, it was the unit of organization in Virginia, to which State more than to any other the pioneers owed their social and governmental system.

The people were ordinarily brought but little in contact with the Government.

They were exceedingly jealous of their individual liberty, and wished to be interfered with as little as possible.