The years 1843 to 1845 worked the development of the systematic enticing away, or stealing of slaves from Kentucky slave owners, and the passing them to Canada by a cordon of posts, or relays, which came to be known as the “Underground Railroad”.  A number were stolen and carried away on horses.  The abductors traveled with the slaves at night and concealed them during the day.  The old McFerron house in Mt.  Vernon, Kentucky was used as a relay post to hide slaves enroute to Ohio, Michigan and Canada.  The slaves in these parts were locked in the old McFerron cellar which was situated under the ground, and they were concealed under the cover until night, when they would travel again.

There were never at any time any slaves sold from auction blocks in this county.  It is reported that the life of the slave in Rockcastle County was a happy lot.  Their masters built them cabins to live in, furnished with bunks, tables, stoves, and other necessities.  Their masters gave them chickens, cows and other stock and gave them plenty to eat.

There are no slaves living in Rockcastle at this time.

CLARK CO.  (Mayme Nunnelley)

The first records of Slaves in Clark County was given by a descendant of one of the members of the little band of resolute Revolutionary soldiers who had been comrades and mess mates throughout the long bloody war.  These fifteen families, some from Virginia and others from Maryland, started westward in the early spring of 1783 for Kentucky.  They bought with them some horses, a few cattle, thirty or forty slaves and a few necessary household articles.

After many hardships and trials, borne heroically by both men and women, they halted on the banks of the Big Stoner, in what is now the eastern part of Clark County.  Two years later another group of families with their slaves came to join this little settlement.

In some cases the owners were good to their slaves had comfortable quarters for them at a reasonable distance from the main house.  Their clothing was given them as they needed it.  In most instances the clothing was made on the plantation Material woven, and shoes made.  The cabins were one and two rooms, maybe more if the families were large.  The slaves ate their meals in the kitchen of the main house.

A cruel and inhuman master was ostrazied and taught by the silent contempt of his neighbors a lesson which he seldom failed to learn.  In 1789 the general assembly passed an act in which good treatment was enjoined upon master and all contracts between master and slaves were forbidden.  The execution of this law was within the jurisdiction of the county courts which were directed to admonish the master of any ill treatment of his slave.  If presisted in the court had option and power to declare free the abused slave.

Few traders came to Clark County as the slaves were not sold unless they were unruly.  There was no underground railroads through this area.