Hi:  According to "The Hornbook of Virginia History"  states as follows:

"The most popular and enduring of Virginia's many nicknames is the OId
Dominion. While the name clearly refers tp Virginia's status as England's oldest
colony in America, it is impossible to trace the origin of the term withj
precision"

Another statement in this Hornbook is as follows: "According to tradition
Charles II, touched by the colony's loyalty during his exile, gave Virginia the
nickname "The Old Dominion". It is more likely however that the name refers to
Virginia's status as  the oldest  colony in America and that it derives from
Charles II acknowledgement of a gift of silk from "our auntient Collonie of
Virginia" in 1660. The phrase "most Ancient Colloney and Dominion" was used in
official documents as early as 1699"


Just thought that this might help shed some light on the subject "Old
Dominion"

Respectfully,
Bernie in Northern Virginia

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