Beech Tree News Network

Jefferson County, Kentucky was founded in 1780 and named for future president Thomas Jefferson, governor of Virginia at the time.  As of the 2015 census, Jefferson’s population was 763,623. In 2003, its government merged with that of its largest city and county seat, Louisville, forming a new entity, the Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, or Louisville Metro.  Whenever possible, the metro government generally avoids any self-reference including the name "Jefferson County" and has even renamed the Jefferson County Courthouse as “Metro Hall”.
Jefferson was one of the first three counties formed out of the original Kentucky County, which was still part of Virginia at the time(the others being Fayette and Lincoln).  The last major American Indian raid in present-day Jefferson County was the Chenoweth Massacre on July 17, 1789. 
Jessamine County, KY was founded in 1798.  The county seat and largest city is Nicholasville.  The county was named for Jessamine Douglass, the daughter of a pioneer settler.  Most of the early pioneers were from Virginia, who came through the mountains after the Revolutionary War.  In the late 18th century, the Kentucky General Assembly passed a bill to establish a commercial vineyard and winery, based in Nicholasville and the first in the United States, known as First Vineyard. Wine making based on European grapes became widespread in the United States. After the Prohibition era, which lasted from 1920 to 1933, the county voted to prohibit alcohol sales. As it allowed an exception for the "wet" city of Nicholasville, where package alcohol sales are allowed, it is classified as "dry." The Chrisman Mill Vineyards is authorized to operate and sell its product in the dry portion of the county.  Estimated population as of 2015 was 51.961. 
Johnson County, KY was founded in 1843 and named for Richard Mentor Johnson, War of 1812 general, U.S. Representative, Senator and Vice President of the United States.  As of 2014 census, county population was 23,262.  The county seat is Paintsville.  Butcher Hollw aka Butcher Holler is in Johnson County and is the birthplace of Loretta Webb.  You and I know her as Loretta Lynn.  Chris Stapleton was born in Lexington and comes from a family of coal miners.  He grew up in Staffordsville, which is just outside of Paintsville.  He was class valedictorian in Johnson Central and attended Vanderbilt University. 
We’ve reached the halfway point in our review of Kentucky counties.  Come back next week as I start the second half with Kenton County.