This microfilm is a copy of the original records located at the Kentucky State Historical Society in Frankfort and microfilmed in 1975. It is an incomplete copy of the set of records for each county but can provide the information for the specific counties and years as denoted in the list.
Betty Guwn, born on March 25, 1832, in Kentucky, recalls her life as a slave on a large tobacco plantation. She served as a personal attendant to her mistress but was also required to work in the fields. Betty married young through a customary process, and her family grew to fifteen children. During the Civil War, her husband escaped to fight for the Union. Post-war, they chose freedom over remaining with their master. Now living with her children, she reflects on her long life, approaching her 106th birthday.
Amy Elizabeth Patterson, born July 12, 1850, in Cadiz, Kentucky, reflects on her painful memories of slavery, including her separation from her mother due to being sold by her white father, John Street. Despite his relatively kind treatment, Patterson portrays slavery as a profound injustice, emphasizing the emotional scars it inflicted, particularly the auctioning of families. Now 87 and a resident of Evansville, Indiana, she advocates for her race’s betterment and cherishes her familial bonds, expressing hope for future generations amidst her traumatic past.
Annie Morgan, 65, recounts her childhood as the daughter of enslaved parents who served the Payne family in Kentucky. She fondly remembers celebratory gatherings on Proclamation Day and the joy of family reunions. Annie reflects on her belief in dreams, sharing a poignant account of a vision she had about her son’s fate, which brought her peace about his passing. She also recalls her marriage, where she and her husband jumped over a broomstick, a common practice among Black couples at the time.
Thomas J. Ellis, Sr. was born on January 25, 1842, in Kentucky and became a resident of Oklahoma in 1882. He engaged in farming and merchandising, notably in Bartlesville and Ochelata, where he built a successful business and became a prominent landowner. A Civil War veteran, he served honorably and faced significant injuries. Ellis married Vera Ellen Smith and had four children, providing them substantial financial support in their endeavors. Now retired at seventy-nine, he remains a respected figure in his community, reflecting a lifetime of achievement and dedication.
The term “barren” applied to the region comprising parts of several Kentucky counties is misleading. Early pioneers misjudged the land’s potential, associating its lack of timber with poor fertility and harsh conditions. Despite its rugged beauty, abundant water sources, and rich wildlife, they feared for their survival due to misconceptions about timber’s necessity for comfort. Notably, some offered large tracts of land at low prices were rejected for fear of scarcity, highlighting the pioneers’ struggles in adapting to their new environment.