MERCER COUNTY, KY HISTORY AND LOOKUP

County History

*None Listed

Mercer County, Kentucky: A Genealogical Overview

Located in the heart of Kentucky’s scenic Bluegrass Region, Mercer County is a landscape steeped in American pioneer history. It is home to Harrodsburg, the first permanent English settlement west of the Allegheny Mountains, and the historically significant Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. Its story is central to the westward expansion of the United States, defined by the adventurous spirit of early settlers, fertile farmland, and the development of Kentucky’s famed horse and bourbon industries.

I. County Formation and Evolution

Understanding Mercer County’s formation from a vast Virginia county and its subsequent role as a “mother county” to many others is essential for locating the correct records for ancestors who settled this pivotal region.

  • 1785: County Formed: Mercer County was established in 1785 by the Virginia General Assembly, with its government becoming effective in 1786.
  • Parent County: It was created from a large portion of Lincoln County, Virginia. At the time of its formation, Kentucky was still a part of Virginia. Records for settlers in this area prior to 1786 would be located in Lincoln County, Virginia records.
  • Subsequent County Formations: Mercer County originally covered a much larger area and is considered a “mother county.” Portions of its territory were later used to form Woodford (1788), Franklin (1794), Garrard (1796), Anderson (1827), and Boyle (1842) counties. Researchers with ancestors in these areas must be aware of these boundary changes.
  • Name Origin: The county was named in honor of General Hugh Mercer, a physician and hero of the American Revolution who was killed at the Battle of Princeton in 1777.
  • County Seat History: The county seat has always been Harrodsburg. Founded in 1774 as Harrod’s Town, it predates the county itself and holds the distinction of being Kentucky’s oldest city.

II. Settlement and Early History

  • Early Inhabitants: Before European settlement, the region was a rich hunting ground used by Native American tribes, primarily the Shawnee and Cherokee. Though no major permanent villages existed within its modern boundaries, it was a vital and frequently traversed area.
  • Pioneer Settlement and Economy: The first permanent non-native settlement was established in 1774 when James Harrod and his company founded Fort Harrod. This fortified settlement became a crucial destination for pioneers traveling the Wilderness Road. The region’s fertile soil was ideal for agriculture, and the economy was built on crops like corn, tobacco, and hemp, as well as raising livestock. Distilling whiskey became an important local industry. In 1805, the Shakers established the village of Pleasant Hill, which grew into a thriving and influential religious and economic community.

III. Genealogical Records and Resources

This section provides practical information for locating ancestral records specific to Mercer County.

  • Courthouse: Mercer County Courthouse: Located at 200 West Main Street, Harrodsburg, KY 40330. The County Clerk’s office is the primary repository for land records (deeds) and marriage records from the county’s formation. The Mercer County Circuit Court Clerk, at the same location, holds probate records (wills and estates), civil, and criminal court cases.
  • Vital Records:
    • Birth and Death Records: Statewide registration in Kentucky began in 1911. These modern records are held by the Kentucky Office of Vital Statistics. For the period between 1852-1862 (and intermittently in other years), some birth and death records were kept at the county level and can be found at the County Clerk’s office or the Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives. Otherwise, researchers must rely on church records, newspapers, and cemetery records for pre-1911 information.
    • Marriage Records: Marriage records are a major strength for Kentucky research. Records from 1786 to the present are held by the Mercer County Clerk.
  • Libraries with Genealogy Collections:
    • Harrodsburg Historical Society: Located at 220 S. Chiles Street, Harrodsburg, KY 40330. This is a crucial first stop, offering extensive genealogical files, local histories, and research assistance specific to Mercer County families.
    • Mercer County Public Library: Located at 109 West Lexington Street, Harrodsburg, KY 40330. It maintains a well-regarded Kentucky Room with local history and genealogy resources.
    • Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives (KDLA): (Located in Frankfort) This is the central repository for microfilm copies of county records from across the state, including deeds, wills, court orders, and tax lists.
    • Kentucky Historical Society: (Located in Frankfort) The Martin F. Schmidt Research Library offers a vast collection of published genealogies, family manuscripts, maps, and photographs.
  • Bordering Jurisdictions:
    • Anderson County, KY
    • Woodford County, KY
    • Jessamine County, KY
    • Garrard County, KY
    • Boyle County, KY
    • Washington County, KY

Please share any resources you have and will do lookups or links to resources you are aware of. Thanks