From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Rowan County (KY) Slaves, Free Blacks, and Free Mulattoes, 1860-1880
Rowan County, in northeastern Kentucky, was formed in 1856 from portions of Fleming and Morgan Counties; it is surrounded by seven counties and named for John Rowan, who served as Kentucky Secretary of State, Kentucky House Member, and U.S. Senator. The county was almost dissolved due to the Rowan County War, 1884-1887, also known as the Martin-Tolliver feud. The county seat, Morehead, was established in 1856 and named for Kentucky Governor James T. Morehead. The 1860 county population was 2,140, excluding the slaves. Below are the number of slave owners, slaves, free Blacks, and free Mulattoes for 1860-1880.1860 Slave Schedule
- 32 slave owners
- 110 Black slaves
- 32 Mulatto slaves
- 1 free Black [Jo Million]
- 21 Blacks
- 24 Mulattoes
- At least two U.S. Colored Troops listed Rowan County, KY, as their birth location [Mathew Davis and Scipio Torrence].
- 95 Blacks