Origin of Madison County, Kentucky

The land now known as Madison County, Kentucky has historically had five other names. It was first named Botetourt County, Virginia. In 1772 Fincastle County was carved from Botetourt County. Then in 1776 Fincastle County was divided into three counties: Montgomery, Washington and Kentucky counties. These three counties were renamed in 1780 to Jefferson, Fayette and Lincoln. Lincoln was later divided to create Madison County, Virginia. Kentucky became the 15^th state in 1792 resulting in the six and existing name, Madison County, Kentucky. Madison County was named after James Madison, later to become the 4^th President of the United States. The sequence of names for the land where the Turpin roots were planted is summarized below

Botetourt County, Virginia – before 1772

Fincastle County, Virginia - 1772

Kentucky County, Virginia - 1776

Lincoln County, Virginia - 1780

Madison County, Virginia - 1785

Madison County, Kentucky - 1792 (Ky statehood in June 1792)

The county seat of Madison County was at Milford until 1798. It was moved to land, owned by Colonel John Miller, which was renamed Richmond. It was named after Richmond, Virginia, the birthplace of Colonel John Miller. The famous western pioneer, "Kit" Carson was from Madison County.

Daniel Boone and John Finley were hired in 1769 by the Transylvania Company. The Transylvania Company was started by Colonel Richard Henderson to explore the area beyond the Cumberland Gap (Kentucky). Boone was sent into the "Kentucky" area to widen the Wilderness Road, 1775. The objective of Richard Henderson was to establish the 14^th colony to be known as Transylvania with its capital at Boonesborough. This trip of Boone’s in the Spring of 1775 is the occasion of the first two Turpins into the land to become Madison County, Kentucky. Daniel Boone came through the Cumberland Gap, Big Hill and then on down the Otter Creek to the place where it empties into the Kentucky River.

The Virginia Colony legislature annulled the treaty with Colonel Henderson and his efforts to create the 14^th Colony of Transylvania were disbanded. The area stayed a part of Virginia. Transylvania was not to become the 14^th Colony. The people in this area became dissatisfied with the representation that they were getting from the Virginia legislature. This dissatisfaction started the process that led to Kentucky becoming the 15^th state of the Union in June 1792. Kentucky population in 1790 was 61,133 whites and 12,430 slaves.