by Teresa Martin Klaiber
Because of the Pandemic, I wish to share some of my past publications, as a gift. Hopefully it will occupy some time as we all stay at home. Boyd County Kentucky Monographs I was published in 2004. I will try to share more chapters in the next few days. These include several more articles and county records concerning slaves. Because it is a converted pdf there are a few line issues and errors which I have corrected where possible.
SLAVERY IN BOYD COUNTY, KENTUCKY
There are two misconceptions leading up to and including the Civil War
about slavery. The first is use of the term underground connected with the
Underground Railroad- There were no long underground tunnel only small
miserable places designed to hide escaping folks temporarily. The second
misconception is all those who fought for the Union were against slavery.
Though General George Gallup, who settled in Boyd County, Kentucky stated
cannot annoy myself with the prospect of Negro equality for only those who desire
it will be annoyed. "1
Freedom for slaves who lived even at
the edge of the Ohio River could not have been easy. Stand on the Ohio river
bank at Ashland. Across the Ohio hills rise up with ragged rocky formations
almost from edge. If you want to go north you must first get around this
geological mass. However to your right and across from Normal, Kentucky is
Solida Creek which empties into the Ohio. Nearby is Burlington said to be
founded by a Baptist minister who freed all his slaves.2 Close by
Symmes Creek lead folks up a freedom trail. Look left and Ohio's Underground
Trails3 lead north from Greenup to Wheelersburg. Freedom a precious
word to all of us. Freedom that people are willing to die for. Freedom that
some only dream of. Freedom north beyond the Ohio River.
Lewis Barnes, a man marked as black by census takers, finally knew what
freedom was. He also knew the trail and did not want his family to forget. So
when his little girl was born in Boyd County at the close of the Civil War he
named her Erie4 reminding him of the promise land. Hampton Mayo also
knew where Canada was beyond the Ohio River and across larger waters where a
network of folks helped friends and relatives to that freedom. Least folks
forget how to get there and should his new found freedom be taken from him he
named yet another little girl Lake Erie at Catlettsburg, Kentucky in 1868.5
All along the Ohio River tales of underground activity have
been passed from generation to generation. Some documented some whispered. Not
only stories of underground activity, but stories of the slaves have been told
and retold. It is hard to believe that an interviewer for the WPA, Carl F.
Hall, said "we were unable to find any records, in Boyd County, as to
slave holders and their slaves, though it is known that many well to do
families the Catletts, Davis, Poages, Williams and others were slave
holders.''6 His narrative still managed, with lack of documentation, to be
peppered with several stories involving Boyd County. Even during the Centennial
of Catlettsburg it was thought that there were no records to substantiate
slavery activity. How many stories are there whispering on the wind? How many
can be documented in this modern day of research and 133+ years after the fact?
A Catlettsburg history relates that.
John Culver's trusty slave, Uncle Elias, had been accused of being a runner and
would neither deny or admit it. ''It was a fact that he helped the slaves to
safety on Solida Creek in Ohio, where there was a refuge for runaway Solida Creek does empty into the Ohio River directly across from Clyffeside Branch, Ashland- From a refuge on
Solida slaves could make their 
to Symmes Creek past Mt. Vemon and Olive Furnaces to Poke
Patch on the Gallia County, Ohio line. If that was too dangerous they could
follow the river to Wheelersburg and on to Portsmouth.
to Symmes Creek past Mt. Vemon and Olive Furnaces to Poke
Patch on the Gallia County, Ohio line. If that was too dangerous they could
follow the river to Wheelersburg and on to Portsmouth.
From a study of tax records it appears that John Culver had loss's among
his own slaves. In 1839 Culver tithed three slaves. One oft hese would be Elias.
By 1841 fourteen slaves are tallied. Then tax lists show a roller coaster
inconsistency in numbers - 9, 11, 6, 9 - until 1848 '&hen six slaves remain
until the settlement of Culver's estate. Either Culver had loss's and gains
through transactions of slaves and/or Elias was helping friends, from even his
very own master, to escape.
Culver left a will probated in 18588 where the court
inventoried five slaves: Elias valued at $400.00, Sam value $300., Fanny value
$300., girls Hannah value $1000.00 and Martha value $1000. By the 1860 Federal
Slave Census Boyd County widow Charlotte Culver is left the five slaves which
are all again named. providing their ages. Elias was 56 years old. The other
slaves were Sam 23, Fanny 67, Hannah 10 and Martha 20. Hannah and Martha are
marked as mulatto.
Mrs. Culver maintained four slaves as the Civil War progressed. By 1867
Elias Culver, accused runner is a free "Negro" in Boyd County,
Kentucky? He appears to be the same Elias using the surname Diggs in 1870 District
#6 Catlettsburg residing next to the Culver family. Ages of slaves and past
slaves appear inconsistent throughout records. At the time he gave his age as
64. He is marked as Mulatto, a mattress maker born in Indiana with a female
named Deborah-67, born in Maryland.
Besides Elias we find Fanny Culver, now 82 years old, living next door to
Mrs. Culver in 1870. Martha remained in Mrs- Culver's home with the surname
Brown and two infant children.
Our second example tells of "...an underground agent for the
Abolitionists who came to Catlettsburg to secure work with Mr. Bill Hampton,
who owned many slaves. In a short time all his slaves escaped except Aunt Lucy
and Aunt Isabella- This agent was caught and sentenced to serve a term in the
pen.
William Hampton, a minister, was born in Cabell Co [W]VA in 1808 to
William and Malinda Hampton. When he was approximately 3 years old the family
moved to what was then Greenup County. At the death of William's father, his
mother remarried to L. B. Sharp and removed to Missouri by 183611 .
In 1833 Hampton is taxed for 3 slaves in Lawrence County, Kentucky He shows 1
slave in 1839 in Greenup County and no slaves thereafter until 1847 when he
acquires another who is also gone by 1850.
William Hampton formed a company with John Culver and others to purchase
property from James Wilson Fry- n This company was responsible for laying off part
of Catlettsburg above Division Street. By 1860 William Hampton is still tithing three slaves. They were Isabella
age 51, and Lucy 25, both mentioned in the story and Ransier a 10 month old
mulatto.
Lucy's age is important when reviewing the story about being left behind
when Hampton's slaves supposedly ran from this area. Lucy was born about
1835/6. Thus if such an escape of slaves occurred after she was born, according
to the story, it would have been after 1835. A search of order books, civil and
criminal Dockets for Greenup County as well as circuit records of Lawrence
County and later formed Boyd County show several entries involving Hampton and
of course his land transactions but none mention the conviction of a captured
Abolitionist. In 1854 Hampton acted as guardian to the heirs of Anthony W.
Ferguson involving 13 slaves. All 13 slaves were named in the inventory. [1]
M'hen one of the guardian reports was filed in June 1864 it lists $9.48
for medical attention for slaves and $3.92 to John Kouns for a coffin for a
Negro child. Nothing unusual seems to occur to any of these slaves under
Hampton's guardianship of heirs.
We do know what happened to Hampton's
slaves Aunt Isabella and Lucy. Isabella becomes Isabelle Fox residing in
Catlettsburg in 1870. She is 65 years old, keeping house and born in Kentucky.
Lucy Fox is 34 and hires out. Ransom Fox is a mulatto 11 years old living at
their home born in Kentucky along with George Fox age 6. Isabella is still
alive and states she is 80 years of age in 1880- Lucy now Williams is 
shown in the same household with Henry Williams a Mulatto age
50 born Virginia, George Fox age 18 cited as Isabella's grandson and a grand
daughter Mary Williams age 9. 13 George married and resided in Boyd
County and worked as a porter. He died on April I l, 1912 of organic heart
disease. On his death certificate his wife was cited as informant. There was
some confusion as to parentage as the father is listed as Lucie Williams and is
marked out and Isabel Fox written in and the name of the mother Isabel Fox has
been marked out and Lucie Williams written in. 14
shown in the same household with Henry Williams a Mulatto age
50 born Virginia, George Fox age 18 cited as Isabella's grandson and a grand
daughter Mary Williams age 9. 13 George married and resided in Boyd
County and worked as a porter. He died on April I l, 1912 of organic heart
disease. On his death certificate his wife was cited as informant. There was
some confusion as to parentage as the father is listed as Lucie Williams and is
marked out and Isabel Fox written in and the name of the mother Isabel Fox has
been marked out and Lucie Williams written in. 14
Alexander Mead was a slave in Greenup County, Kentucky born
in 1789. In a personal interview he stated that he got his liberty by buying it
with his heels- He says he escaped in 1849. His owner was Benjamin Mead. What
Alexander did not explain in the article was how and why he chose 1849 to run.
We can safely assume he crossed the river near Ironton and made his way along
the trail.16
Benjamin Mead and wife Elizabeth lived in the area now Raceland in
Greenup County. While this area never became part of Boyd County the Mead's
were actively involved in the Ashland area as well. Alexander also mentions his first wife Hanna Ford who died at
Ashland, KY. After Benjamin Mead's 
death in 1821 17 his wife continued to manage
their affairs. When Elizabeth died in 1848 the filed estate included the
division of slaves- Thirteen slaves were listed by name to be divided among
seven heirs shattering the existence they had known. Alexander's name does not
appear on the list- The names of the slaves are: Charlotte, Sarah, Eliah, Jane,
Melian, America, Amanda, Reuben, Mary, a female named Anachy, Levi, Maria and
William Rielly.
death in 1821 17 his wife continued to manage
their affairs. When Elizabeth died in 1848 the filed estate included the
division of slaves- Thirteen slaves were listed by name to be divided among
seven heirs shattering the existence they had known. Alexander's name does not
appear on the list- The names of the slaves are: Charlotte, Sarah, Eliah, Jane,
Melian, America, Amanda, Reuben, Mary, a female named Anachy, Levi, Maria and
William Rielly.
Lots were drawn to decide who would receive each. Elizabeth's son
Benjamin F. Mead received Maria and William Rielly. In 1847 his first
appearance on the tax list along with his mother shows that he is tithed for
one slave. From 1848 through 1850 he is taxed for two slaves. With the addition
of inheritance of two slaves he should have properly been taxed for three. It
is this compiler's opinion that Alexander was given by Elizabeth to son
Benjamin prior to her death and that he ran in 1848 arriving in Canada in 1849
as cited in his own personal interview.
Asberry Parker is cited in the Federal Writers' Project i9 concerning
Boyd County. ne article tells that he traveled by night to Canada where he
worked until he became wealthy. After the war he returned to Ironton: Ohio
where he made his home for the rest of his life, The article does not say who
his master was on the Kentucky side of the river.
The 4th Ward, Ironton, Lawrence County, Ohio Federal Census
for 1880 lists Asberry Parker born in [West] Virginia age 49 and Hannah Parker age 45 born in Kentucky.
A property and slave owner also by the name of Hannah Parker resided in
what was Greenup County, Kentucky. She placed a reward for one of her slaves, a
male named George in a Scioto County based paper in 1855. The notice was signed
by Moses McCoy of Greenup County, Kentucky.20 Papers in Ohio ran
many such ads including another ad involving what would become Boyd County,
Kentucky on January 16, 1852. At that time John Wollman, of Catlettsburg.
Kentucky offered a $100.00 reward for a Negro man, Ben, thirty years of age,
five feet ten inches high.21 Wollman may have been John Wellman who
had a large family near the Clay's and appears in early Lawrence County
records.
George McVoide, is said to have belonged to the Poage family
of Boyd County22 and also escaped to Canada but no further
information is given about him. This may be George listed in the inventory of
Eliza M. Poage in Greenup County, Kentucky along with another slave Daniel?
Several members of the Poage family had slaves. In late June 1864 Ned an
emancipated slave of Thomas H. Poage {s/o George and Ann Allen Poage} came
forward in the Boyd County Court and made application for support stating that
he was a pauper. The court being advised ruled against Jacob Rice Sr. the
administrator of the estate of Jobe Davis.24 Jobe Davis had put up
security in a bond of emancipation of Ned in what at that time was the Carter
County court. Davis had land holdings at Marsh Run near Cannonsburg. One of the
Jobe Davis slaves, Caroline Davis died of burns in November 1853.25
The slave narrative by Fannie Tippin born in Greenup County, Kentucky 10
July 1864 just two blocks from the bank of the Ohio River describes life with
her owners as well as the slave auction block- Fannie tells of Mr. Doll Reed
who bought her grandmother Eliza and two children Mary and Bill. Mary was 
Fannie Tippin's mother. She states that Mr. Reed tried to buy
her grandfather from Mr. Bigg's who would not sell him. Reed would buy but never
sell his slaves. Fannie's father belonged to a man named Lawson who drowned
when she was small. Fannie talks with great respect about the Reed family which
included two daughters Lucy and Annie Reed.26
Fannie Tippin's mother. She states that Mr. Reed tried to buy
her grandfather from Mr. Bigg's who would not sell him. Reed would buy but never
sell his slaves. Fannie's father belonged to a man named Lawson who drowned
when she was small. Fannie talks with great respect about the Reed family which
included two daughters Lucy and Annie Reed.26
Adolphus L. Reid came from Virginia
and settled on a farm near Gray's Branch27 later moving from the
farm to Greenup. He had five children by his first wife including the mentioned
Lucy and Anna. A son Charles married and moved to Texas in the 1870's. Fanny
Tippin gave her interview having also migrated to Texas at a later date.
In the interview Fanny gives a vivid description of Greenup's slave
auction. "Reed Landing was a ware house with a gravel road down to the
river bank- Between the ware house and the river was the trading block. It was
platform about 20 x 30 feet. Slaves was bought and sold there, or auctioned off
or swapped for more desirable things. It was a public trading place and shipping
place. In bad weather they kept the grain and things they was going to ship in
the ware house...'08
Several slave auctions have been mentioned through the years in Boyd
County. A slave block was said to have been in Catlettsburg on Center Street29
where the Gallup Jewelry Store was at one time. This places the site
across from or very near the courthouse. On December 22, 1863 Charles Guilky,
jailer for Boyd County reported that one Jack Marlow, a runaway slave had been arrested
and confined in the Boyd County Jail by Rhodes Weddington and that Jack had remained in jail and
been advertised for six months. No person appeared to claim the slave. The
court ordered that they should proceed to sell the slave according to law.30
As with all sales ordered by the court the sale would take place at or
near the doors of the courthouse.
Henry Riekert [1900-1994], owner of
what is now called the Cedar Knoll area of Boyd County always proclaimed that
there was a slave auction close to where US 60 intersects State Route 3291 in
Boyd County- The tract of land which is described as near Cannonsburg was part
of land known as the W. L. Geiger Farm.31 While this compiler could
find no documentation citing a sale block the location would have been
convenient for farmers that did own slaves residing in that part of the county.
The well trod path leading from Ashland to Lawrence County passed through
properties of Geiger, Colvin, the Eastham heirs, Davis, Kouns and Bolt families
among others. In 1850 Geiger was listed with 4 slaves, Vincent Colvin 3, and
among the Eastham's as many as I I slaves. Isaac Bolt tithed 6 slaves just
across the line in Lawrence county. Shortly after the formation ofthe county of
Boyd these gentleman along with others requested a survey for a road from Cannonsburg
to Bolts Fork.32
In 1860 W. L. Gieger, Vincent Colvin and Asa Bellew were
appointed commissioners to divide the slaves of Edward Eastham then deceased.33
Cannonsburg district seemingly has the largest slave activity in the
area- During the Civil War Geiger indicates in his own diaries that Union
officers and several companies also stayed at his place. In June of 1863 Geiger
wrote that Ellington's Negros ran off but were caught. Certainly the Geiger
farm was a central hub for that part of the county.
Riekert and adjoining property John G. Martin also told of a possible
slave grave yard on a point to the left of what is now Jomar Road. Charles
Leece a black widower, succumbed to flux, October 12, 1853 at Cannonsburg. His
owner is recorded as W. L. Geiger-34 While excavation and home
development of the point on Jomar Road, in the 1970's and 80's gave no
indication of any burials, those that died would logically be put to rest in
close proximity. This knoll overlooks the area where the auction block was
purportedly located.
Oral history also proclaims Fields Cemetery now overlooking
Interstate 64 includes a section of slave burials. This property involved the
Eastham family. Iby [nee McGuire] was the widow of Hartwell Eastham and
ancestors to the Fields family. In the 1850 Greenup Slave enumeration Ibby
Eastham had 3 slaves. Hartwell's grave along väth James W. Eastham are the
earliest marked graves in the cemetery. These earliest graves are within a
raised wall. To the left of this early family plot are as many as 20
unmarked/unidentified graves. Most are simply marked field stone. Today these
very early graves are 
at the far end of the cemetery from what is now the entrance
gate.
at the far end of the cemetery from what is now the entrance
gate.
While auction blocks were scattered throughout the south for business, individuals
retained agents to purchase and handle private transactions of slaves. Though
it appears that those involving area residents 
did not always go smoothly. Susan Catlett brought suit
against Richard Brown in 1840 in Lawrence County. Catlett stated that a slave,
Dinah was being unjustly detained from her. R. M. Biggs of Greenup County testified that he sold the slave in controversy in Lawrence County
to Susan Catlett by her agent Thomæs H. Martin'S
did not always go smoothly. Susan Catlett brought suit
against Richard Brown in 1840 in Lawrence County. Catlett stated that a slave,
Dinah was being unjustly detained from her. R. M. Biggs of Greenup County testified that he sold the slave in controversy in Lawrence County
to Susan Catlett by her agent Thomæs H. Martin'S
Davis Montgomery of Claburn Co., Mississippi retained Samuel Craig as
agent when purchasing a slave in Lawrence County, Kentucky, from Anthony Hampton in 1835. Anthony was a
brother to William Hampton of Boyd County. Craig had debts including one to Mr.
Catlett and while the slave was in his possession was taken in payment of the
debt. The slave named Tempy was to then be sold at the courthouse steps in
Louisa, Kentucky to satisfy debt. Anthony Hampton testified that he did sell a
25 year old Negro to Montgomery at the home of Samuel Craig. The sale was stopped
and the case dismissed with costs and leave to draw original bill of sale on
Craig.36
Not all freedom came from running. Emancipation papers could be signed
either by the goodness of the owner and/or by purchasing freedom, of course with
the owners permission. An example is the emancipation of Thomas Lawson about 54
years old in Greenup County Coult December 1846. The paper was signed by B.B.
Metz, William I. Lawson, William Corns, B.B. Lawson, John McConnell and Joseph
Hill."37
Anticipated freedom could be changed at the master's will. James Lawson's
will probated in 1845 in Greenup County*8 had several codicils
involving handling of his slaves. The will states that Charlotte is to be freed
at the death of his wife. Tom was to be freed at the decedents death. In an
1838 codicil Lawson stipulates that Charlotte was to
receive $10.00 for every year of service when she is freed at the death of the
decedent's wife. However, Tom is now to serve until the death of Lawson's wife
instead of at James death.
Arthur Parker's 1837 stated that slave Jackson Boon was to serve one more
year then be freed. Washington was to work until he earned what he cost unless Henry Parker from whom he was
originally purchased wanted him back. Ryal and William were to be freed after
they reached the age of 24 unless the sale
of William and Ryal was needed to pay off debts.39 [2]
Historical research is not without
flaws. Interpretation of the records can change a historical event
dramatically. Evelyn Jackson, Ashland historian stated in her research that
"William Hood had a black son, Price Hood by his slave.''40 Did she utilize
Carter County birth records to come to this conclusion? The film is not of best
quality and had she compared the format of other entries by midwives she would
have noted that they distinguish between son and slave. "Certificate In
case of Birth. I hereby certify that on the 11th day of December
1852 a male Mulatto child was born alive at full time at the house of William
Hood on Garners fork. This child was the SLAVE of William Hood and [blankl late
[blank] who reside on Garners fork of East fork in Carter County. The child was named Price.
Dated 2 Feb 1853. Signed Mary Lambert, M.W. 41 This
document alone does not make William Hood the father. The designation Mulatto
does not automatically make the white owner the father. The registration just
before states "son of' and the entry just after "daughter of"
while the Hood entry clearly says "slave of." In 1860 Price is listed
as age 6 and W. P. Hood as owner.
I have noted that entries of Mulattos and some blacks do not
provide the mother's name. The column for paternal parent is labeled 'Name of
father or Owner of Child''42 There were several Mulatto children born in 1852
including J. F. Wallace "slave of' William Geiger. In each instance the
mother's name is not placed in the column designated for her when it involves
slave ownership. Did Jackson have other documentation not readily available or
discovered by this compiler? Did she possibly have oral "whisperings" that have long ago lost authorship?
As a compiler I am still hearing "whisperings." It is clear
that Cannonsburg district and Catlettsburg played a greater role in slavery
than did newly forming Ashland simply because of geography and development of
the day. Whispers of houses in Catlettsburg that were used for the Underground
Railroad with tunnels said to run to the river, even though the houses face and
are within short distance from the Big Sandy River, still abound. In several
cases ownership of the homes were tracked to people who had several slaves
themselves neither proving nor disproving the stories. This compiler found no
record of any person in what is now Boyd County, other than Elias, admitting to
aide slaves. But who among neighbors would breathe a word of any such help or
hiding places that would incriminate them when both Union and Confederate
feelings were still pro - slavery and so strongly stated by Civil War Union
hero General Gallup.
END NOTES
I . The Diaries of General
George Gallup, September 12, 1864,
2.Betty Conley McGuire,
Underground Railroad, Ashland Daily Independent, October 31, 1991.
3. Wilbur H. Siebert, Ohio
's Underground Trails, 1951, reprint 1993.
4.Boyd Co., KY 1870 Federal
census, Catlettsburg District.
5.1bid
6.Federal Writers' Project,
Born In Slavery: Slave Narratives, 1936-1938, Kentucky Narratives, Volume 7.
7-History and Program
Commemorating the Founding ofthe City ofCatlettsburg, Kentucky, 1949, page 11.
8.Greenup Co., KY Will book 5 page 118.
9.Boyd co., KY Tax List Microfilm
10.1bid
11. Sheri Pettit, Extracts
ofThe Christian Observer, page 18.
12.Nina Biggs, History
ofGreenup County, Kentucky, 1951, page 313.
13.1880 United States
Census, Upper Ashland, Boyd Co., KY T9-0404 page 209A.
14.Kentucky Death Certificate 1912 certificate 9153
15.Gage1, Diane VanSkiver;
The Toledo News-Bees 4 June 1904, Ohio Genealogical Society REPORT 3713 (1997)
page 148.
16.Wilbur H. Siebert, Ohio's
Underground Trails, 1951, reprint 1993.
17 -Evelyn S. Jackson, Boyd County
Ancestors, Press Observer, 31 July 1975.
18.Greenup co., KY Will Book 2 page 213-
19Federal Writers' Project,
Born In Slavery: Slave Narratives, 1936-1938, Kentucky Narratives, Volume 7.
20.Nelson W. Evans, History
ofScioto County, Ohio, Volume 1 page 613.
21.1bid
22.1bid
23.Greenup Co., KY Will Book
4 page 394. Inventory.
24.Boyd Co., KY Court Order
Book l.
25.Carter Co., KY Vital
Statistics.
26.Federal Writers' Project,
Born In Slavery: Slave Narratives, 1936-1938, Kentucky Narratives, Volume 7.
27-Nina Biggs, History
ofGreenup County, Kentucky, 1951, page 247.
28.1bid
29.History and Program
Commemorating the Founding ofthe City ofCatlettsburg, Kentucky, 1949, page I l.
30-Boyd Co., KY Coun Order
book I page 159.
31 -Boyd Co, KY deed book
141 page 531 & 532 & deed book 160 page 145.
32.Boyd Co., KY Court Order
book 1 page 51 and 82.
33. Eastern Kentucky
References. Greenup Co land suit book, extracted by Evelyn S. Jackson page 141.
34.Kentucky Vital Records &
Statistics 1852-1938 Greenup Co., KY Microfilm V158-10.
35 -Phoebe Anne Hale Webb,
Lawrence County, Kentucky AnnotatedAbstracts ofCircuit Court Records 18211873.
Page 46.
36.1bid
37-Greenup Co., KY Court
Order Book H, Tree Shaker, Winter 1979, page 2.
38. Greenup Co., KY Will
book 4 page 27
39-Greenup Co„ KY Will book
3 page 167.
40.1870 Federal Census
ofBoyd County Kentucky Annotations by Evelyn Scyphers Jackson, 1998, page 28.
41 -Kentucky Vital Records
& Statistics 1852-1938 Greenup Co., KY Microfilm VI 58-10.
42.Kentucky Vital Records
& Statistics 1852-1938 Carter Co., KY Microfilm VI58-4.
