419 S. Broadway, Lexington, Fayette
County, Kentucky
Built 1840
Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.
Almost a century ago Richard Higgins' executor conveyed the lot here, "together with the buildings" to Samuel B. Harrison for $87.75 - must have been a relative, good friend or partner at that price.
Harrison sold it in 1846 to the architect, John McMurtry (it looks very like one of McMurtry's attractive brick cottages), who mortgaged vast real estate holdings to Craig & Elliott.
Thos. B. Baxter in 1848 purchased "one house and lot" here from Dudley M. Craig and wife, Henrietta, and James M. Elliott and wife, Julia. He already had bought a lot adjoining it and later acquired the remainder to Pine St. Thos. B. Baxter married Miss Mary, daughter of James Kinnear, at Millersburg May 13, 1848.
Upon his death early in 1857, Thos. B. Baxter willed a life interest in his holdings to his widow, Mary K. Baxter. He appointed C.C. Rogers and John B. Payne, Jr., trustees to sell his real estate after her death and remit proceeds to his nephew, George Sandeman, Dundee Scotland. He willed his library as follows:
"To the Lexington Library, the bound newspapers that are on the lower shelf of my library; my Masonic books to Lodge No. 1; to my friend, C.J. Sanders, first choice of 20 volumes; to John B. Payne, Jr., second choice of same number," same number each to Geo. H. Kinnear, C.C. Rogers, and Miss Ann Kinnear, his Theological books to Wm. Christie, "of the Northern Bank," and the remainder to his wife.
Mrs. Baxter bought the nephew's interest and sold the property in lots. The house here was purchased in 1876 by Wm. H. May, who sold it in 1887 to Henry W. Appleton. C.D. Cunningham purchased it in 1893 and it remains in his family today.
Transcribed by pb October 2002