Kentucky

Early migrants to colonial Kentucky (late 1700s, when it was still part of Virginia) came primarily from Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and other eastern areas. While settlers included a mix of backgrounds—such as Scots-Irish Presbyterians and a smaller number of Catholics from Maryland—the most prominent and organized English-linked religious migrations were Baptist groups.

Early Kentucky society was often described as rowdy and “semi-barbarous” by eastern observers—full of drinking, fighting, and revelry alongside fervent religion. Over time, revivals and church growth imposed greater moral order. The ethos valued practical Christianity (faith shown through action and endurance) more than rigid theology.

Public behavior followed a pragmatic code: Be tough and independent, help your neighbors, live morally (per evangelical standards), defend your honor, and adapt to a harsh environment. This mix helped shape Kentucky’s distinct identity as a border state with strong frontier roots.