Kent County was originally the entire Eastern Shore. It was first mentioned as a county in 1642, when the Governor and Council appointed commissioners for the Isle and County of Kent. It became smaller and smaller as new counties were formed. Even Kent Island became part of Queen Anne's County!
Kent County takes its name from the old English County of Kent which borders the English Channel in the southeast of England. This county is the home of Washington College, the tenth oldest college in the United States. The county seat is Chestertown.
