Historical Marker

Jessamine County

Formed from Fayette County, 1798. Named by Col. John Price, one of Representatives in Legislature, who stated he named it for flower which flourishes in region and for Jessamine Creek. A moving legend tells that the creek was named for Jessamine Douglass, daughter of an early settler, who was stealthily tomahawked by an Indian as she rested on the banks of the creek.

Reverse

Nicholasville - County seat laid out in 1798 by Rev. John Metcalf, Methodist, who opened the first school in area, 1794. Chartered by legislature, 1812. Named for George Nicholas (1754-99); colonel in Revolution, "father of Kentucky constitution"; first Ky. Attorney General. John McLean, U.S. Supreme Court Justice, dissenter in Dred Scott case, 1857, spent part of boyhood years in vicinity.