Amelia County was created by a legislative act in 1734 and 1735 from parts of Prince George and Brunswick counties. The county is named for Princess Amelia of Great Britain, daughter of King George II. As was customary, as the population increased in the region, Amelia County was reduced by the division of territory to form newer counties; in 1754, Prince Edward County was formed from parts of Amelia County, and in 1789, Nottoway County was formed. It was developed for plantation agriculture dependent on slave labor.