Russell County, Kentucky

By Sanders

Historical Marker #954 in Jamestown commemorates Russell County being named for a War of 1812 veteran.

Born in Virginia in 1758, William Russell had been an officer in the Revolutionary War and had fought at the Battle of Kings Mountain before moving to Kentucky. He was in several campaigns against Native Americans in 1791 and 1794, and was present at the Battle of Tippecanoe, fought in November 1811. During the War of 1812, Russell was colonel of the 7th U.S. Infantry Regiment and fought in multiple engagements.

After the War of 1812, Russell served several terms in the Kentucky legislature. When Russell County was formed in 1825, it was named in his honor. Russellville, Kentucky, is also named after this veteran.

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Sanders, “Russell County, Kentucky,” ExploreKYHistory, accessed July 27, 2024, https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/92.

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