Kentucky Colonel
Official History & Legacy of the Kentucky Colonelcy Since 1775 

Kentucky Colonel: 1st American Honorific Title of Authority, Greatness, and Prestige

Colonial and Early American history reveals a rich tradition of civilian leadership embodied by the title of 'colonel.' These individuals, often appointed by their peers, were instrumental in establishing communities and shaping the nascent democracy of the new nation. In the decades following 1775, colonels held considerable authority, frequently transitioning into roles of governance and leadership. Their contributions laid the foundation for the societal structures and cultural identity that characterize Kentucky and much of America today.

While the exact origins of the term "Kentucky Colonel" are multifaceted, the connection to Daniel Boone's pioneering role in Kentucky's establishment is undeniable. This association solidified in 1833 with the London production of "The Kentuckian," a play that further cemented the image of the Kentucky Colonel in the popular imagination. The title thus evolved into a cultural symbol, representing the spirit of independence, leadership, and the unique heritage of the Kentucky region.

Semiquincentennial of the Kentucke Magna Charta! 

Join Us in Celebrating the Original Recognition of the Founding of America's 1st Free Colonial Democracy by the Kentucky Colonel with the 250th Anniversary of the Traditional Office of the Kentucky Colonelcy from 1775-2025 at Boonesborough on the Kentucky River.

Kentucky Colonel becomes its Greatest Statesman

In contemporary state history Col. Daniel Boone is not recognized by the Commonwealth of Kentucky as its founding statesman, that title would go to Isaac Shelby who worked for Col. Daniel Boone 16 years earlier as a surveyor for the Transylvania Colony. When working for Col. Boone, Shelby a young impressionable surveyor learned the secret order of the colonel. Isaac Shelby the surveyor was paid in-kind with food, money and a deed for a parcel in the Transylvania Colony before returning to Southern Virginia on the Wild Road.

In 1776 under the new patriot laws Shelby found a commission from the Virginia Committee of Safety appointing him captain of a company of Minutemen. In 1777, Virginia governor Patrick Henry appointed Shelby to a position securing provisions for the army on the frontier. He served a similar role for units in the Continental Army in 1778 and 1779. With his money, Shelby purchased provisions for John Sevier's 1779 expedition against the Chickamauga, a band of Cherokees who were resisting colonial expansion in the Extralegal State of Franklin. 

Shelby was elected to represent Washington County in the Virginia House of Delegates in 1779. Later that year, he was commissioned a major by Governor Thomas Jefferson and charged with escorting a group of commissioners to establish a frontier boundary line between Virginia and North Carolina. Shortly after his arrival in the region, North Carolina Governor Richard Caswell made him magistrate of newly formed Sullivan County and elevated him to the rank of colonel of the Sullivan County Regiment. While he was a colonel, Shelby assisted other colonels establish the State of Franklin before moving to his property in the Kentucke region. Engaging in local politics later creating the Commonwealth of Kentucky with more than a 12 other colonels who made him their first governor. Most of Kentucky's counties today are named after the historic colonial and pioneer colonels that migrated there following Boone and Shelby.

Original Goodwill Ambassador Title of the Commonwealth

Today there are more than 300,000 to perhaps 400,000 Kentucky colonels living in over 70 countries, many organizations have been formed since the turn of the 20th century to promote activities, fraternity and social prosperity relative to Kentucky colonelcy. While colonels today have no official responsibilities mandated, they are legally recognized reciprocally as the state's "ambassadors of good-will" due to their dedication to community service, contributions to the welfare of the state, and for improving the lives of others to make the world a better place for everyone. 

The authoritative title is warranted through letters patent which grants them the Title "Colonel" recognizing them as "Honorable" through a commission as an officer on the governor's staff. Colonels optional duties are de facto and extra officio responsibilities of promoting tourism, economic development, participation in community service, fostering the general prosperity of the Commonwealth and projecting Kentucky's image abroad on behalf of the State and the Governor. Historically these duties extended to writing the laws of the state itself that was founded by colonels.

The Kentucky Colonel has always been those who are most like to succeed in the Commonwealth. Kentucky colonels are selected because they possess admirable characteristics, for recognizing the noteworthy achievements of thousands of great people and the most benevolent honorable deeds that support the best ideas and traditional customs forward in the Bluegrass State.

Future of the Kentucky Colonel

One of the facts we discovered about the Kentucky Colonel when getting a lawsuit dismissed in 2020 is that in the Early Years of Kentucky only the Colonels were allowed to officiate the ballots and polling places, much like the Secretary of State today. Kentucky colonels everywhere want to see the Kentucky Colonelcy awarded under more traditional and transparent conditions, because anything less makes the colonel themselves less significant. 

Currently serving as Secretary of State, the Hon. Michael G. Adams was a member of the Facebook Group "Kentucky Colonel Community" during the lawsuit, he was privileged to some of the US District Court proceedings in the HOKC v. KCI where his office was implicated by the plaintiff. Steadfast to the case when it was revealed that the case was being dismissed with prejudice his office removed the Secretary of State's original "Kentucky Colonels" history webpage replacing it with a verified and collaborated edited copy of content offered by his Facebook Group which won its case through the dismissal of the civil complaint. Within 30 days the powers to be, reverted his personally edited content of our history under pressure by the HOKC. When the Facebook Group Members complained about the reversion, the Office of the Secretary of State removed the webpage entirely as not to propagate the Myth of 1813 promoted previously. His office staff referred to the historical accounting about the Real Kentucky Colonel representative to state history as a firestorm for the HOKC, the Kentucky Historical Society and the Governor's Office to resolve in the future, it was not a matter of the Office of the Secretary of State.

Col. Michael Adams, we believe has what it takes to be a great colonel; considering as much as his important itinerary, he knows all so well Kentucky Colonels are not political advocates, but they are strong leaders with great principles for truth and justice to get the job done (at least they always have been). We have great confidence the history of Kentucky colonelcy had only begun to see the light of the day understanding (SOS) Col. Michael Adams agreed with our historical narrative as opposed to the pseudohistory posed by the original Kentucky Colonels website.

The Kentucky Colonel taking Action

We have scoured thousands of newspaper articles which are being cataloged and organized as content for our publication online and for our book, which may become an online publication that is serialized.

We have encountered colonels in comics, colonels with bad reputations and colonels that could not be put in jail. There is an amazing true story of a Kentucky Colonel that shot a US judge in self-defense in the courtroom. We found colonels at the World's Fair and hundreds of places across the United States. We even found colonels teaching high school during the Civil War.

Share Your Kentucky Colonel Content

If you are a Kentucky Colonel you can submit content through our Facebook Groups or by sending an email to our webmaster. All content prior to 1927 is part of the public domain, but please indicate the origin, source and date of your content especially if it is more recent. Content provided will be credited with your name as the source or collaborator.

Colonel Badge, Not Available in Stores

It is unlawful to impersonate a Kentucky Colonel unless you are an actual Kentucky Colonel, this can be easily determined by reading the case files of the HOKC, aka Kentucky Colonels v. Col. David J. Wright, et. al. the lawsuit established clearly that the HOKC was founded based on a fictitious militia order without evidence based on the credibility of government. Real historians never believed them, either did Col. George Chinn who presided over the Kentucky Historical Society, the case was dismissed but did earn several points of merit with the court regarding their own trademark. 

Due to the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels making threatening legal demands against badge manufacturers it is difficult to have a Kentucky Colonel Badge manufactured by a US badge manufacturer. There is no prohibition or restrictions on a Kentucky Colonel ordering their own badge however, despite this some badge manufacturers are reluctant, but most will still make a badge for colonels, sometimes requesting a photo of a persons commission or requiring that a badge be personalized. 

By law a Kentucky Colonel has the right to identify themselves as a colonel and honorary civilian officer that is an ambassador of goodwill. We recommend that all living and active colonels, identify themselves prominently using their Honorific Titles complimented by an ID Card, nameplate and wallet mounted badge when travelling or at work, however to promote that position we had to develop a handbook which is available only to Kentucky colonels that are actively employed.