From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Larue County (KY) Enslaved, Free Blacks, and Free Mulattoes, 1850-1870
Larue (or LaRue) County, located in central Kentucky and surrounded by five counties, was created in 1843 from the lower portion of Hardin County. It is named for John LaRue, an early settler who was the grandfather of Kentucky Governor John LaRue Helm. U.S. President Abraham Lincoln was born in Larue County in 1809. There is only one Larue County in the entire United States.The county seat is Hodgenville, named for Robert Hodgen, who was born in England, lived in Pennsylvania, and moved to Kentucky. Hodgenville was created in 1818 on land that had belonged to Robert Hodgen.
The 1850 county population was 5,187, according to the U.S. Federal Census; the population increased to 5,992 in 1860, excluding the enslaved. Below are the number of slave owners, enslaved, free Blacks, and Mulattoes for 1850-1870.
1850 Slave Schedule
- 186 slave owners
- 508 Black slaves
- 157 Mulatto slaves
- 8 free Blacks [most with last name Savoree, while others were surnamed Lovelace, Friend, Clay, and Barritt]
- 7 free Mulattoes [6 with the last name Meredith, plus E. Payton]
- 221 slave owners
- 604 Black slaves
- 297 Mulatto slaves
- 1 free Black [Ruebin Balis, a 50 year old blacksmith]
- 3 free Mulattoes [2 Savorees, 1 Wright]
- 626 Blacks
- 327 Mulattoes
- About 26 U.S. Colored Troops listed Larue County, KY as their birth location.