Establishment of Bell County, Kentucky

Bell County, at first was known as Josh Bell for whom it was named, was established by an act of the Legislature on September 8, 1867 from portions of Knox and Harlan Counties. It was the one hundred twelfth county formed in the state of Kentucky. In 1873 the Mud Creek section was cut from Clay County and added to Josh Bell and District No. 9 was cut from Whitley County and added to Josh Bell. Some time later “Josh” was dropped from the name and it became Bell County. Josh Bell was a grandson of Thomas Walker and was not a native of the area of Kentucky which bears his name. He was born in Danville, Kentucky, November 16, 1811, and died there August 17, 1870. The first Josh Bell County fiscal court meeting was held on September 9, 1867, in the home of C.B. Brittan with Lewis F. Payne, county judge, James H. Lee, county clerk, C.B.Brittan, deputy clerk. Members of the first fiscal court were William H. Baughman, Joshua B. Cox, William M. Bingham, Herod Hendrickson, Stephen Rice, Sampson Miracle, James R. Fuson, William L. Evans and John Burns.

For this and further information check out the book, History and Families Bell County, Kentucky. A great book filled with information and families of early Bell County, Kentucky.