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 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.

During the Civil War General Robert E. Lee and his Army spent April 4 and 5, 1865 at Amelia Courthouse before his surrender on April 9 to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox.
The last major battle of his army was fought at Sayler's Creek on April 6.

Amelia is known for its minerals, including the nation's best supply of amazonite, a green feldspar found at the Morefield mine.
In the 19th century, spas were developed around its mineral springs, which were destinations for travelers.

In 1986 the Amelia County Fair sponsored a competition for the world's largest potato pancake (with apple sauce).
It was constructed to raise money that year for the German American National Scholarship Fund.
The pancake weighed more than two and one quarter tons and used four truck loads of potatoes.
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 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.
During the Civil War General Robert E. Lee and his Army spent April 4 and 5, 1865 at Amelia Courthouse before his surrender on April 9 to General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox. The last major battle of his army was fought at Sayler's Creek on April 6.
Amelia is known for its minerals, including the nation's best supply of amazonite, a green feldspar found at the Morefield mine. In the 19th century, spas were developed around its mineral springs, which were destinations for travelers.
In 1986 the Amelia County Fair sponsored a competition for the world's largest potato pancake (with apple sauce). It was constructed to raise money that year for the German American National Scholarship Fund. The pancake weighed more than two and one quarter tons and used four truck loads of potatoes.
Amelia County, Virginia