The 1854 Gazetteer of the United States by Thomas Baldwin shows:

HARLAN, a county in the S. E. part of Kentucky, bordering on Virginia, has an area estimated at 600 square miles. The Cumberland river rises in the E. part of the county, and traverses nearly its whole length. Cumberland mountain forms its S. E. boundary. The surface is elevated and rugged. The chief staples are grain, cattle, and swine. In 1850 this county produced 181,013 bushels of corn; 21,065 of oats, and 9051 pounds of wool. It contained 3 churches, and 330 pupils attending public schools. The county contains extensive beds of stone coal and iron ore, which have not yet been worked. A large part of the surface is covered with forests. Formed in 1819, and named in honor of Major Silas Harlan, who fell at the battle of Blue Licks. Capital, Mount Pleasant. Population, 4268, of whom 4145 were free, and 123, slaves.