From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (main entry)
Laurel County (KY) Enslaved, Free Blacks, and Free Mulattoes, 1850-1870
Laurel County, located in southeastern Kentucky, was established in 1825 from portions of Clay, Knox, Rockcastle, and Whitley Counties; and is surrounded by seven counties. It is named for the laurel shrub found in the area. The county seat is London, named in 1825 for London, England. The county population was 342 [heads of households] in 1830, according to the U.S. Federal Census, and the population increased to 5,302 by 1860, excluding the slaves. Below are the number of slave owners, slaves, and free Blacks, and Mulattoes for 1850-1870.1850 Slave Schedule
- 56 slave owners
- 141 Black slaves
- 0 Mulatto slaves
- 2 free Blacks [Peter Johnathan and Joanna Pin, both born in VA]
- 7 free Mulattoes [Emily, and others with last names Faris, Leckiter, Wiggins]
- 37 slave owners
- 146 Black slaves
- 40 Mulatto slaves
- 0 free Blacks
- 1 free Mulatto [Wiley Young]
- 108 Blacks
- 31 Mulattoes
- About 11 U.S. Colored Troops listed Laurel County, KY, as their birth location.
*Thank you to Renee Beets for the correct spelling of Wiley Young's name, and for the addition of Emily, a free woman in the household of John Gibson.