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Historical Books

The history of Kentucky is intertwined with the history of America, and with bourbon. We hope you enjoy viewing our collection of historical works related to the early statehood of Kentucky and to whiskey. And we hope you do it with a fine aged bourbon in your hand!

The American Distiller

An extremely rare book in excellent condition from 1804, it was the first book published in the United States on distilling.

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The American Distiller

An extremely rare book in excellent condition from 1804, it was the first book published in the United States on distilling.

This is the first book printed in America on distilling. It was written by Michael Krafft, and published in Philadelphia by Thomas Dobson in 1804. Officially titled “The American Distiller, or, the Theory and Practice of Distilling, According to the Latest Discoveries and Improvements, Including the Most Approved Methods of Constructing Stills, and of Rectification.” By the 1790’s, many started applying the burgeoning science of preservation to making liquor and spirits.

This, the earliest American book on distilling, is a classic rare work on the practicalities and economics of liquor production in early 19th century America. It includes chapters on mashing, fermentation, grinding, and malting, and recipes to make cinnamon water, Irish usquebaugh, snakeroot cordial, and more. Krafft noted that he had a patent for stills described in the book, and that “there [were] at this time, not less than two hundred and seventeen distilleries working on [his] plan, and numbers of others now preparing.” The book contains a dedication leaf to Thomas Jefferson, for which Krafft had written to Jefferson introducing himself and his new publication on distilling and asked to include. This first edition is very scarce and is in outstanding condition.

Histoire de Kentucke

By John Filson in 1785, Histoire de Kentucke, Nouvelle Colonie a L’Quest de la Virginie, is the French version of the first book on Kentucky.

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Histoire de Kentucke

By John Filson in 1785, Histoire de Kentucke, Nouvelle Colonie a L’Quest de la Virginie, is the French version of the first book on Kentucky.

This outstanding copy of this important work is the French translated version of the first book on Kentucky. It has a decorated binding in unsurpassable condition, contains Filson’s famous “Map of Kentucke”, and includes the first published biography of Daniel Boone.

A schoolteacher, historian, surveyor, and one of the founders of Cincinnati, John Filson had acquired some 13,500 acres in the Kentucky territory through purchase and military land warrants. Filson’s firsthand account portrayed Kentucky as a peaceful and fertile land, ready for settlement. Filson’s work did much to encourage settlement to the Kentucky territory and he is credited with recognizing the region, especially the ports of Natchez and New Orleans, as essential to the future economic expansion of the country. No doubt the economic dimension was also what prompted his work to be translated into French less than a year later. The French still had extensive holdings throughout the North American West, still had a close relationship with the very young United States, and a significant number of “American” pioneers were French. This, a finely bound original copy of the first book covering Kentucky, was printed in Paris by Chez Buisson in 1785.

Description of Kentucky

This extremely rare Description of Kentucky in North America was written by Harry Toulmin and printed in London in 1792.

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Description of Kentucky

This extremely rare Description of Kentucky in North America was written by Harry Toulmin and printed in London in 1792.

This rare book by Harry Toulmin, titled “A Description of Kentucky, in North America: To Which Are Prefixed Miscellaneous Observations Respecting the United States,” was printed in London in 1792. This is a 1st edition book of 124 pages and is a fine copy including the map of Kentucky. This book is “The first piece describing Kentucky from the point of view of the prospective emigrant.” —Streeter Sale 1625.

Toulmin first visited America in the company of Joseph Priestley. This allowed him to become acquainted with Thomas Jefferson and James Madison who provided Toulmin with letters of introduction. In 1794, Toulmin was named the first president of Transylvania University which was the first university established west of the Alleghenies. He held the post for only two years before becoming Secretary to the Commonwealth of Kentucky for the next eight years. In addition to his professional duties, he compiled and published A Collection of the Permanent and Public Acts of the General Assembly of Kentucky in 1802. In 1804, Toulmin was appointed judge of the Superior Court for the eastern district of the Mississippi Territory.

Constitutions

These examples of “Constitutions of the United States” were printed by Thomas Skillman in Lexington Kentucky.

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Constitutions

These examples of “Constitutions of the United States” were printed by Thomas Skillman in Lexington Kentucky.

In early Kentucky, as well as the broader United States, there was an interest in the ideas and structure of the forming government, since the United States itself was still young and individual state governments were still being set up during this time. These are two printings of constitutions by Thomas Skillman of Lexington, Kentucky. The first is from 1813, the second from 1817, and both are titled “The Constitutions of the United States; According to the Latest Amendments. To Which Are Prefixed, The Declaration of Independence, and The Federal Constitution.”

Each book prints esteemed items such as the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation, the United States Constitution with the first twelve Amendments, and the Constitutions of each of the States then existing. Printed in each is the second Kentucky Constitution from 1799, supplemented with the 1789 Compact with Virginia. Also printed are the Northwest Ordinance and implementing Acts, Acts concerning the creation of the District of Columbia, and Acts concerning the Louisiana Purchase.

Gilbert Imlay’s Kentucky

Imlay’s “Topographical Description of the Western Territory of North America, including the Discovery, Settlement, and Present State of Kentucky”, 1793

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Gilbert Imlay’s Kentucky

Imlay’s “Topographical Description of the Western Territory of North America, including the Discovery, Settlement, and Present State of Kentucky”, 1793

This early book by Gilbert Imlay is an early account of the western country written in the form of letters from Kentucky to a friend in England. It includes the additions of “An Essay towards the Topography, and Natural History of that important Country” by noted Kentucky historian John Filson, as well as “The Adventures of Col. Daniel Boon.” This work was printed in several printings in the US and London for an audience that was captivated by the frontier and its discoveries in the ‘first west’ of the United States. Included are maps of North America as well as of Kentucky in 1793, and “A Plan of the Rapids of the Ohio” at Louisville in 1793.

United States Gazetteer

The first edition of Joseph Scott’s 1795 US Gazetteer describing details of the United States, including Kentucky.

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United States Gazetteer

The first edition of Joseph Scott’s 1795 US Gazetteer describing details of the United States, including Kentucky.

This first edition of Joseph Scott’s United States Gazetteer was printed in Philadelphia in 1795, and contains “an authentic description of the several states their situation, extent, boundaries, soil, produce, climate, population, trade and manufactures. Together with the extent, boundaries and population of their respective counties. Also, an exact account of the cities, towns, harbours, rivers, bays, lakes, mountains, &c. Illustrated with nineteen maps.”

The book includes 19 engraved folding maps, including Kentucky which became a state in 1792. This gazetteer, along with the maps in Carey’s American Atlas published in the same year, represent a significant step forward in America cartography. Along with the maps, Scott’s work offers detailed information on climate, population, produce, and trade.

US Senate Journal 1791

This rare “Journal of the Third Session of the Senate of the United States” from 1791 records the proceedings for Kentucky statehood.

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US Senate Journal 1791

This rare “Journal of the Third Session of the Senate of the United States” from 1791 records the proceedings for Kentucky statehood.

With George Washington, President, and John Adams, Vice President and President of the US Senate, this rare official printing by John Fenno of the Journal of the Third Session of the Senate of the United States, measuring 12.5” X 8”, records the activity of the Senate beginning December 6th 1790, through March 3rd, 1791. The senate was represented by the original 13 states, each having ratified the constitution in 1787.

Within this printing is found “An Act Declaring the Consent of CONGRESS, that a NEW STATE be Formed Within the Jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and Admitted into this Union by the name of the STATE OF KENTUCKY.” This act paved the way for the Commonwealth of Kentucky to organize a government and ratify the Constitution to become the 15th State in 1792. Also included is “An Act Repealing…the duties heretofore laid upon distilled spirits imported from abroad, and laying others in their stead; and also upon spirits distilled within the United States” to pay the debts of the nation, but in the process, also laying the groundwork resulting in the future Whiskey Rebellion.

History of Kentucky, 1812

This early History of Kentucky, Volume 1, is a rare first edition by Humphrey Marshall, printed at Frankfort, Kentucky in 1812.

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History of Kentucky, 1812

This early History of Kentucky, Volume 1, is a rare first edition by Humphrey Marshall, printed at Frankfort, Kentucky in 1812.

Humphrey Marshall, born in Virginia in 1760, moved to Kentucky in 1782 and initially served as Deputy Surveyor of Fayette County. Over time he became a large Kentucky landowner and served in the Kentucky state legislature, as well as becoming a US Senator from Kentucky, 1795–1801. Marshall authored this volume, the first real history of Kentucky, and printed in 1812 in Frankfort, Kentucky by Henry Gore.

In the introduction, Marshall writes, “It is now 37 years since the first permanent settlements were made in Kentucky…..An Important advantage, which a history of Kentucky, now written, will have over one that shall be deferred for a number of years, is, that it’s narratives may be attested or corrected by, living witnesses.” This first volume begins with the early settlement of Fincastle County, Virginia and ends with preparations and foundations in place in 1791 for Kentucky to soon become an independent state.

Acts of Virginia

This printing of the Acts of Virginia includes the Act of Cession giving the Kentucky territory to the United States in order to establish the state.

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Acts of Virginia

This printing of the Acts of Virginia includes the Act of Cession giving the Kentucky territory to the United States in order to establish the state.

These two volumes contain all the Virginia laws passed relating to the area now known as Kentucky, before it was officially separated from Virginia into an independent state. For decades, Kentucky was a part of the Virginia Colony. Kentucky County (then alternately spelled Kentucke County) was formed by the Commonwealth of Virginia from the western portion, beyond the Cumberland Mountains of Fincastle County, effective December 31, 1776. Kentucky County was abolished on June 30, 1780, when it was divided into Fayette, Jefferson, and Lincoln counties.

Afterward, these counties and those set off from them later in that decade, were designated collectively as the District of Kentucky by the Virginia House of Delegates. The counties of the district frequently petitioned both the Virginia legislature and the Continental Congress seeking statehood. Finally successful, the Commonwealth of Kentucky was admitted to the United States as the 15th state in 1792. This volume contains the Virginia acts relating to the separation of Kentucky from Virginia so it might become the 15th state.

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Historical Books