Newport County: formed as Rhode Island County in 1703. Renamed Newport County in 1729. County seat: Newport
Providence County: formed in 1703 as Providence Plantations County. Renamed Providence County in 1729. County seat: Providence
Washington County: formed in 1729 as Kings County from Providence Plantations County. Renamed Washington County in 1781. County seat: West Kingstown. Washington County is more commonly known as South County.