These territories were conquered from Sweden during the Great Northern War by Russian troops, with Vyborg falling on 24 June 1710, Riga on 15 July, Pärnu on 23 August, followed by Paide, Haapsalu, Kuressaare on 26 September, and Tallinn on 10 October.

This continuity was guaranteed by the acts of capitulation signed by the Estonian towns and knighthood when they surrendered to the Russian troops during the Great Northern War.

However, the towns of Narva and Ivangorod remained within the Saint Petersburg Governorate, serving as the capital of Jamburg County from 1775 to 1802.

The administrative division in 1719 was as follows: Harju district (Гарриенский уезд), which[2] included the parishes of Kuusalu, Jõelähtme, Harju-Jaani, Jüri, Juuru, Kose, Rapla, Hageri, Nissi, Keila, Madise and Risti.

Virumaa distrikt (Вирляндский уезд) comprising[3] the parishes of Jõhvi, Vaivara, Lüganuse, Viru-Nigula, Rakvere, Haljala, Kadrina, Jaagupi, Väike-Maarja and Simuna Järva distrikt (Эрвенский дистрикт) comprising[4] the parishes of Ambla, Jaani, Madise, Koeru, Peetri, Anna and Türi Haapsalu district (Викский уезд), comprising[5] Märjamaa, Vigala, Kullamaa, Martna, Kirbla, Lääne-Nigula, Ridala, Lihula, Karuse, Hanila, Mihkli, Haapsalu parishes and islands.