AYLESFORD

Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Built 1850

Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.

William R. Elley bought a "lot" here October 11, 1850, from Stephens & Winslow, and employed John McMurtry to build the house. McMurtry's ingenuity as an architect is better appreciated when one considers that during the same year he built the English castle, "Loudon," and the classical cottage, "Botherum."

Elley and his wife, Louise E., "of Washington County. Miss.," sold the house in 1856 to John L. Barclay, for $10,000.

Barclay in his will (April, 1860) directed that his "partner and friend, John B. Tilford", after settling up the business of Tilford and Barclay as bankers and merchants, sell "my residence and purchase another for my wife to suit her, when and where she may wish, of less value." He also directed that sale be made of "my furniture, horses, carriage and all personal property to my residence, as my wife shall direct." He named in the will his wife, Lucy M. Barclay; daughter, Fanny B. Barclay; sons Herman B. and James C. Barclay, and brother, James M. Barclay.

Adjoining the residential tract (43 poles on Maxwell St. and 29 poles on Rose St., at the intersection) was the Kentucky Trotting Association track, extending southward on the east side of Rose St. (Another deed showed it began "548 feet from the corner of Maxwell St., on the east side of Rose St." and had a Rose St. frontage on 422 feet. It contained about 100 acres.) Barclay bought a strip of land in 1859 from the trustees of the Kentucky Trotting Association: R.A. Alexander, A.H. Brand, Thos. Bradley, S.P. Kenney and Y. Ward, and added it to his residential property. (Robert Alexander had bought the 100 acre tract September 9, 1788, from Lewis Craig and wife, Elizabeth).

William Cassius Goodloe purchased the residence in 1864, for $10,000, from H. Bowman Barclay and wife, Anne B., and James C. Barclay, flanking "the Trotting Track."

St. Joseph's Hospital, just organized, leased the place in 1875 and operated here until 1878, when they removed to their present quarters.

Oliver P. Alford came to Lexington from New Orleans early in 1885, and bought the residence for $11,000 from Almira Goodloe, "of Boyle County, Ky." He also bought the trotting track for $20,000 from Robert A. Alexander's Executors ("of Woodford Co."). It is interesting to note that the Alexanders owned the trotting track and its site almost exactly a century.

The entire property was assigned by Alford in 1900.

Transcribed January 2001 by pb