159 Georgetown, St., Lexington, Fayette
County, Kentucky
Built 1841
Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.
Four contiguous lots, fronting here 209 feet in all, "together with the premises and appurtenances," went to Dr. Benjamin P. Drake following Court decree July 20, 1839, to sell the property of Abram S. Drake, dec'd.
Suit had been filed by the widow, Mrs. Hannah Drake; Benjamin P. Drake, Gabriel Slaughter and wife, Eliza (Drake); Wm. M. Drake, Chas. F. Thompson and wife, Julia R. (Drake); James F. Drake, Simeon N. Drake and Abraham S. Drake, heirs of A.S. Drake, vs. David S. Drake.
The 209 feet comprised Lots 1, 2 and 3, and the north-east half of Lot 4 of the platted Drake property. It was conveyed to Dr. Benj. P. Drake in 1841, together with the "Mary May Cottage."
Dr. Drake that year built the large house and resided here for twenty years. (1859 Directory--BENJAMIN P. DRAKE, Regular Physician, office w.s. Mill bet. Short and Church Sts., house w.s. Georgetown bet. Short and Second).
Mrs. Mary A. McGuire purchased the property from Mr. Drake and wife, Ann B., November 1, 1859. The deed stated it was "the property now occupied by said Drake as a family residence. There is also on the premises a small brick tenement now rented out."
The "small brick tenement" ("MARY MAY HOUSE") was later the residence of Dr. Aquilla Talbott, who died here about 1900.
Thomas Bradley bought the two houses from Mrs. Maguire in November 1862, and three months later traded them for another house and bonus to Mrs. Elizabeth White, wife of Wm. F. White.
The Whites lived here in the large house for many years, and their name is generally associated with it today.
Transcribed by pb July 2004