About the Purchase
Once prime hunting and tribal lands of the Chikasaw Indians, the 8 western-most counties of Kentucky are part of an area known as the Jackson Purchase.
General Andrew Jackson and Governor Isaac Shelby headed the negotiations for the 8,500 square miles, which included 20 counties in Tennessee.
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Ballard County was created from areas originally part of Hickman and McCracken Counties. The 93rd county established in the state, it was named in honor of Captain Bland Ballard, a frontiersman and one of the most daring spirits in early Kentucky history. Est. 1842 |
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Calloway County, established from a portion of Hickman County, as the 72nd county in the state. It was named in honor of Colonel Richard Calloway, a settler who was prominent in the formation of Kentucky. Est. 1822 |
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Carlisle is the youngest county established in the Purchase, and the 119th established in the state. It was formed from part of Ballard County and named in honor of John Griffin Carlisle, who was prominent in state and national public affairs. Est. 1846 |
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Fulton County was formed from a portion of Hickman County to become the 99th county in Kentucky. It holds the namesake of Robert Fulton, inventor of the first practical steamboat. Est. 1845 |
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Graves County was named for Major Benjamin Graves of Virginia, who was a state legislator. Formed from a portion of Hickman County, it was the 75th in the state. Est. 1823 |
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Hickman County was formed from portions of Livingston and Caldwell Counties. Originally, its territory comprised the entire Jackson Purchase. This 71st county of the state was named for Captain Paschal Hickman. Est. 1821 |
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Marshall County was the 92nd county formed in Kentucky. Named for U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Marshall, it was established in 1842. |
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McCracken County was named in honor of Captain Virgil McCracken who was an officer in the War of 1812. 78th to be established in the state, it was carved from Hickman County. Est. 1824 |
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