This is a basic history of the state, with considerable emphasis on the accomplishments of the pioneer families, including their public service in the nation's struggle for independence and existence. The objective of the book is to trace from their origin in this country a number of Kentucky families of Scotch-Irish extraction whose ancestors immigrated to America in the early 18th century and became pioneers of the Valley of Virginia. Descendants of these families of the Valley were among the early pioneers of Kentucky. Among these families, of whome some account is given in the text, are those of Alexander, Allen, Anderson, Andrews, Ball, Barbour, Bell, Benton, Birney, Brashear, Breckinridge, Brown, Buford, Bullett, Burden, Butler, Campbell, Carlisle, Carrington, Carson, Carthrae, Chrisman, Clark, Clay, Crittenden, Cummings, Dickson, Duke, Fontaine, Harbeson, Hardin, Harvey, Harvie, Hawkins, Helm, Innes, Irvine, Jones, Keith, Le Grand, Lewis, Logan, Lyle, Madison, Marshall, McAlpine, McClung, McClure, McDowell, McKnight, McPheeters, Monroe, Montgomery, Moore, Murray, Neil, Newton, Parker, Patton, Paxton, Pickett, Preston, Price, Randolph, Reade, Reed, Reid, Smith, Starling, Strother, Taylor, Thornton, Todd, Wallace, Warner, Washington, and Woodson.