This is a basic history of Kentucky, with emphasis on the contributions of the early pioneer families, many of which are of Scotch-Irish extraction. Apart from the genealogical details of dates and marriages, the author outlines many of the public services provided by these individuals and families and the beneficent influence they have exerted upon the Commonwealth. The author's objective in this work is to trace from their origin in this country a number of Kentucky families of Scottish extraction, whose ancestors emigrated to America early in the eighteenth century and became the pioneers of the Valley of Virginia. A later generation of these same families of the Valley, were among the early pioneers of Kentucky. The Following families constitute some of those for whom narratives are provided: Alexander, Allen, Anderson, Andrews, Ball, Barbour, Bell, Benton, Birney, Blair, Bowman, Brashear, Breckinridge, Brown, Buford, Bullitt, Burden, Butler, Campbell, Carlisle, Carrington, Carson, Caruthers, Carthrae, Chrisman, Christian, Clarke, Clay, Crittenden, Cummings, Dickson, Drake, Duke, Fontaine, Frogg, Hall, Harbeson, Hardin, Harvey, Harvie, Hawkins, Helm, Innes, Irvine, Jones, Keith, Kirk, Le Grand, Lewis, Logan, Luke, Lyle, Madison, Marshall, McAlpine, McClure, McClarty, McClung, McDowell, McKnight, McPheeters, Metcalfe, Miller, Moffett, Monroe, Montgomery, Moore, Murray, Neil, Newton, Patton, Parker, Paxton, Pepper, Pickett, Preston, Price, Randolph, Reade, Reed, Reid, Smith, Starling, Stuart, Strother, Taylor, Thornton, Todd, Venable, Warner, Washington, Woodson, Wallace. In addition to the above, the narratives of many other families are also included.