A town grew around the courthouse and became a courthouse village and minor market center. The courthouse burned in 1767 and was replaced in 1768.Lewes, David; Hanbury, Mary Ruffin (November 2019). "National Register of Historic Places Registration Form: Courtland Historic District" (PDF). Virginia Department of Historic Resources. pp. Section 8.36-38. Retrieved March 18, 2023. The town was incorporated as the Town Jerusalem by the Virginia General Assembly in 1791. Jerusalem was Southampton County's only town through the 18th century. Eight trustees divided the town's ten acres (40,000 m2) into half-acre lots alongside the courthouse on land owned by Joseph Scott and William Scott. The trustees created two streets—Main Street and the eastern end of Court Street. The trustees auctioned the lots with the requirement of adding a building within five years.
