On 15 January 1836 George Arthur, the Lieutenant Governor of the Island of Van Diemen's Land
proclaimed, via The Hobart Town Courier, the first counties and parishes to be surveyed in the colony.
Ihe County of Kent, bounded on the north bv the river Davey, and by a line to the river Picton, and by that river to its junction with the river Huon, thence on the north and on the east by the river Huon to the sea, and on the south and west by the sea. This county to include all islands situate between Whale head and North Head (Port Davey).