From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Estill County (KY) Enslaved, Free Blacks, and Free Mulattoes, 1850-1870
Estill County was formed in 1808 from portions of Clark and Madison Counties. Located in eastern Kentucky, it is surrounded by five Kentucky counties. It was named for James Estill, who was killed during the Revolutionary War. [Monk Estill was enslaved by James Estill before becoming the first enslaved person freed in Kentucky.]The county seat of Irvine, established in 1812, is named for William Irvine, who was wounded in 1782 during Estill's Defeat, also known as the Battle of Little Mountain.
The county population in 1810 was 295 [heads of households], increasing to 6,378 by 1860, excluding the enslaved. Below are the number of slave holders, enslaved, free Blacks, and free Mulattoes for 1850-1870.
1850 Slave Schedule
- 119 slave owners
- 359 Black slaves
- 52 Mulatto slaves
- 1 free Black [Judy Wages]
- 1 free Mulatto [Lucy Jones]
- 132 slave owners
- 379 Black slaves
- 128 Mulatto slaves
- 9 free Blacks [5 children with the last name Corner]
- 7 free Mulattoes
- 446 Blacks
- 152 Mulattoes
- About 7 U.S. Colored Troops listed Estill County, KY as their birth location.