New Kent County is located to the east of Richmond.

New Kent County was established in 1654 from York County and was organized and settled by William Claiborne. The county's name originated because several prominent inhabitants, including William Claiborne, recently had been forced from their settlement at Kent Island, Maryland, by Lord Baltimore upon the formation of Maryland. Claiborne had named the island for his birthplace in Kent, England. New Kent County is the birthplace of two U.S. presidents' wives: Martha Washington and Letitia Christian Tyler. The church where George and Martha Washington are believed to have been wed, St. Peter’s, still holds services today. Native Americans frequented this area as well as nearby Charles City County, and two tribes are still well-established in this area. New Kent's roads, leading from Richmond to Williamsburg, are among the oldest in America. Over them have marched French, British, Revolutionary, Confederate and Union armies.