JOHN F. FORD HOUSE

#230 N. Walnut, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Built 1845

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

John F. Ford erected a home here at the same time Peter Mullen was building his residence next door in 1845.

Ford and his wife, Mary Jane, conveyed the house in 1849 to Ethalinda (or Ethalaida) W. Dooley and Robert B. Dooley.

The house was sold by commissioner (John F. Ford, guardian Robt. B. Dooley and Daniel Montz vs. Ethelaida Montz) in 1858 and purchased by Margaret and Ellen Quinn.

Wm. H. Ellis bought it in 1869 and was residing here when he and his wife, Zalla, traded this house for one on Constitution Street to Michael O'Mara.

The late Major E.B. Ellis, philanthropist, who gave Lexington the beautiful drinking fountain (iced water) in front of the Court House, was born here, the son of Wm. H. Ellis.

O'Mara and wife, Rebecca, after living here six years, sold the house to Chief Justice George Robertson, who the same day (May 20, 1869) conveyed it to William Lowery.

In 1873, Lowery and wife, Margaret, sold this and other property to A.G. Morgan, trustee Ann America Morgan, "in accordance with terms of deed of trust executed by Richard Higgins, Sr., dec'd, to Joel and Richard Higgins, trustee of A.A. Morgan."

Transcribed pb November 2005