HARTFORDSHIRE, a county of England, deriving its name from Hartford, the capital; and that from the harts with which it anciently abounded, being then over-run with woods. It is bounded on the east by Essex, on the west by Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire, on the south by Middlesex, and on the north by Cambridgeshire. This county is much indented by those that surround it: the longest part is about 30 miles, the broadest about 24, and 130 in compass; in which are contained about 451,000 acres, 18 market-towns, 120 parishes, and above 95,000 inhabitants, who send six members to parliament, viz. two for the shire, two for Hartford, and two for St Alban's. Before the reign of queen Elizabeth, one sheriff served both for this shire and Essex; but in the ninth year of her reign, it had one allotted for itself. With regard to ecclesiastical jurisdiction, it belongs partly to the diocese of Lincoln, and partly to that of London.
Though the soil in general, especially in the Chiltern and southern parts, is but very indifferent, and much inferior to that of the neighbouring counties; yet the air is so much superior, that lands in this shire generally sell at three or four years purchase more than in many others, on that account. But it must be owned,
Hartford owned, that the soil of Hertfordshire has been much improved of late, by draining, sowing grass-seeds, and other methods. There are few or no manufactures in the county; but its markets are much frequented, in consequence of its being near London, for malt and all sorts of grain, which, with the many thorough-fares through it, make ample amends.