Berkeley County was formed in October, 1772 from the northern part of Frederick County. It was named in honor of Governor Norborne Berkeley, baron de Botetourt, and the Parish of Norbourne was also established with boundaires contiguous with that of the county. In 1801 that part of Berkeley east of a line from the point where Opecquon Creek crossed the Frederick County line to Wyncoop's Spring Run on the Potomac was taken to form Jefferson County. In 1820 Part of Morgan County was taken from Berkeley.
During the Civil War Berkeley County was divided in its citizens' loyalty, and it was the scene of incessant combat, with constant marching and counter-marching. The county continued to send delegates to Richmond, but took no active part in either the Confederate or Union governments. In 1865, under the guise of protecting the approaches to Washington from a further Confederate rising, Berkeley County, along with Morgan and Jefferson counties, was assigned to the new state of West Virginia. The litigation process began which led eventually to the United States Supreme Court and its decision in 1871 for the three counties to remain a part of West Virginia. It appears clear that the strong economic ties of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad to Berkeley influenced the court's decision.
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