These considerations and the presence of fierce and unfriendly Indians caused the settlers to group themselves into compact settlements.
Their self assertion prompted them, and their intelligence enabled them, to take active part in public affairs.

Hence the importance of the town in New England.
In the South, the colonies were planted largely in the interests of the proprietaries.

The leading spirits had been county gentlemen in England and they naturally favored the county system.

The mass of the people were unaccustomed and indifferent to direct participation in the government.
Again, the warm climate and fertile lands were favorable to large plantations and a dispersed population; so that the character of the people and the circumstances under which they lived were alike favorable to the establishment of the county system pure and simple.

To quote the pithy statement of Professor Macy, "The southern county was a modified English shire, with the towns left out.