http://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/wv/wv-footsteps/1999/v99-113.txt Source: History of West Virginia, vol. II, by Virgil A. Lewis, 1887 Submitted by: N. L. Kotowski In 1776, the first Assembly of the newly-declared Commonwealth of Virginia met in the old State House at Williamsburg. In October they passed an act dividing the District of West Augusta into three distinct counties--Monongalia, Ohio and Youghiogheny [sic]. The boundaries of Monongalia were thus defined: "All that part of the said district lying to the northward of the county of Augusta, to the westward of the meridian of the fountain of the Potowmack [sic], to the southward of the county of Yohogania [sic] and to the eastward of the county of Ohio, shall be one other distinct county, and shall be called and known by the name of Monongalia." Thus Monongalia was one of the first three counties created in the New Republic. The name was received from the river Monongahela, which in the Indian language signifies "River of caving or crumbling banks. ==