Life Before Lincoln Blog

This blog is intended to be used for the discussion of slavery in Kentucky both before and after the Emancipation Proclamation. As part of our “Life Before Lincoln” section, this enables you to share your thoughts after visiting our interactive Kentucky timeline.

Please read our questions below and use the comment form to answer these questions, or pose your own questions.

Many slave narratives talk about being sold. How would you feel if you were to be sold away from your family?

In 1860, 20% of Kentucky’s population were slaves. Unlike the deep South, with large plantations, where slave families lived together, most Kentucky slave owners had fewer than five slaves. This meant Kentucky slave families often did not live together. How would you feel if you could not live with your mother or father?

The saying “sold down the river” originated in Kentucky. How do you think slaves felt about being sold down the river?

Kentucky was a member of the Union, but it did not sign the 13th Amendment until 1976. Why do you think Kentucky took so long to sign the 13th Amendment?

Do you think Lincoln was right to be worried about how Kentucky would react to the Emancipation Proclamation freeing the slaves?

Please discuss in comments.