From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Menifee County (KY) Free Blacks and Free Mulattoes, 1870-1900
Menifee County, surrounded by six counties and located in eastern Kentucky, was formed in 1869 from portions of Bath, Montgomery, Morgan, Powell, and Wolfe Counties. It was named in honor of Richard H. Menefee (spelling variation), who was Commonwealth's Attorney, a Kentucky House Member, and a U.S. Senator. The county seat of Menifee County is Frenchburg, established in 1869 and named in honor of Richard French, a lawyer and circuit court judge who served in both the Kentucky and the U.S. House of Representatives. Menifee County was formed after the slaves were freed by the ratification of the 13th Amendment. The 1870 county population was 1,986, according to the U.S. Federal Census, and increased to 6,889 by 1900. Below are the numbers for the Blacks and Mulattoes in the county for 1870-1900.1870 U.S. Federal Census
- 14 Blacks [last names Davis, Williams, and Willis, 1 Roggers]
- 3 Mulattoes [Jack Donathan, Anna Kring, and Pressilla Wills]
- 46 Blacks [most with last name Monear, Simpson, Wilston, and Williams]
- 41 Blacks [most with last name Manier, Bush, Gay, and Williams]