From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Carroll County (KY) Enslaved, Free Blacks, and Free Mulattoes, 1850-1870
Carroll County is located in north-central Kentucky along the Ohio River, bordered by four Kentucky counties. One of the smallest counties in the state, it was formed in 1838 from portions of Gallatin, Henry, and Trimble Counties.Both Carroll County and its county seat Carrollton were named for Charles Carroll, a U.S. Senator for Maryland. Of all who signed the Declaration of Independence, Charles Carroll (1737-1832) lived the longest. There are Carroll Counties in twelve states named for Charles Carroll, as well as 2 parishes in Louisiana.
In Carroll County, KY, the first U.S. Census was taken in 1840, when there was a population of 572 [heads of households]. By 1860 the population was 5,533, excluding the enslaved. Below are the number of slave owners, enslaved, and free Blacks, and Mulattoes in Carroll County for 1850-1870.
1850 Slave Schedule
- 243 slave owners
- 788 Black slaves
- 159 Mulatto slaves
- 21 free Blacks
- 7 free Mulattoes [including Wheeling Gaunt, his wife, and brother]
- 264 slave owners
- 1,629 Black slaves
- 233 Mulatto slaves
- 32 free Blacks
- 13 free Mulattoes
- 529 Blacks
- 6 Mulattoes
- About five U.S. Colored Troops listed Carroll County, KY, as their birth location.