What Is The Oldest County in The State of Kentucky?

KENTUCKY - The Bluegrass State, known for its rolling hills, bourbon distilleries, and rich history, has administrative roots that extend back to the days before its statehood. While Kentucky officially joined the Union in 1792, its county structure began years earlier when it was still part of Virginia. In 1780, a pivotal division created three foundational counties – Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln – which share the distinction of being the oldest counties in Kentucky.

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The Foundational Three: Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln - Kentucky's Oldest Counties

This article explores the establishment of these counties and their significance in the early development of the Commonwealth.

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Before Statehood: The Vast Kentucky County (1776)

Prior to the creation of individual counties, the entire region that would become Kentucky was administered as a single entity within Virginia. In 1776, the Virginia General Assembly established Kentucky County, encompassing the vast territory west of the Appalachian Mountains (Source: Kentucky Historical Society, historical records of Virginia). This enormous county reflected the early stages of settlement and the need for some form of governance in the rapidly expanding frontier.

The Division of 1780: Creating the First Three

As settlement increased, the need for more localized administration became apparent. In 1780, the Virginia legislature divided the massive Kentucky County into three distinct counties: Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln (Source: Kentucky Secretary of State records, Filson Historical Society). These three counties, all established simultaneously, represent the formal beginning of Kentucky's county system.

• Fayette County: Named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette, the French aristocrat who was a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
• Jefferson County: Named for Thomas Jefferson, then the Governor of Virginia and future President of the United States.
• Lincoln County: Named for Benjamin Lincoln, another prominent general in the American Revolutionary War.

Lincoln County: The "Mother of Kentucky Counties"

Among the original three, Lincoln County held a particularly vast territory. It is sometimes referred to as the "mother of Kentucky counties" because its original boundaries encompassed land from which parts or all of 54 future Kentucky counties were eventually formed (Source: Lincoln County historical records, Kentucky genealogical resources). This highlights the immense scale of the initial county divisions and the subsequent process of subdivision as the population grew.

Rapid Growth Before Statehood

The decade following the creation of Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln saw continued growth and organization in the Kentucky region. Between 1780 and Kentucky's statehood in 1792, six additional counties were carved out of the original three: Nelson (1784), Bourbon (1785), Mercer (1785), Madison (1785), Mason (1788), and Woodford (1788) (Source: Kentucky Historical Society). This rapid creation of new counties reflected the fast pace of settlement in the region.

Legacy and Significance

Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties are the foundational pillars of Kentucky's administrative structure. Their establishment in 1780 provided the initial framework for local government, courts, and representation in the region. They encompass areas rich in Kentucky history, including major cities like Lexington (Fayette) and Louisville (Jefferson), and played crucial roles in the state's early political and economic development.

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Sharing the title of Kentucky's oldest counties, Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties, all established in 1780, represent the bedrock of the Commonwealth's administrative history. Born from the division of the original Kentucky County of Virginia, these three foundational counties witnessed the rapid settlement and organization of the region, paving the way for Kentucky's eventual statehood. Exploring their history offers a journey back to the very origins of the Bluegrass State.

Sources:

• Kentucky Historical Society
• Kentucky Secretary of State Records
• Filson Historical Society
• Historical records of Virginia
• Lincoln County historical records
• Respective County Historical Societies (Fayette, Jefferson, Lincoln)

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