From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Magoffin County (KY) Slaves, Free Blacks, and Free Mulattoes, 1860-1880
Magoffin County, located in eastern Kentucky and surrounded by six counties, was formed in 1860 from portions of Floyd, Johnson, and Morgan Counties. Magoffin County is named for Beriah Magoffin, a lawyer, state senator, and the 21st Governor of Kentucky. The county seat is Salyersville, named in 1861 for Samuel Salyer, who was a Kentucky Representative; he pushed for the establishment of Magoffin County. The 1860 county population was 3,413, according to the U.S. Federal Census, excluding the slaves. The population increased to 6,943 by 1880. Below are the numbers for the slave owners, slaves, and free Blacks and Mulattoes for 1860-1880.1860 Slave Schedule
- 13 slave owners
- 43 Black slaves
- 28 Mulatto slaves
- 75 free Mulattoes [most with the last names Cole, Nickell, Oxyer, or Perkins]
- 46 Blacks
- 105 Mulattoes
- One U.S. Colored Troop listed Magoffin County, KY, as his birth location. [Nelson Gardner]
- 63 Blacks