JAMES HARRISON HOUSE

#117 W. High St, Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
(also covers #115 adj.)
Built 1830

James Harrison (1838 Directory: "blacksmith, East High, bet. S. Upper & Mulberry Sts.") bought a 66 foot lot here from James Campbell October 7, 1830. He had married Jane Sharp in 1827 and had built this house, moving into it before January, 1831. He operated his blacksmith shop in a brick building adjoining Nancy Harrison. Their daughter was born here.

The property was Inlot No. 58, which Robert Campbell, father of James Campbell, bought from the Town Trustees who had assigned it to John McKinney, presumably the pioneer school teacher. Robert Campbell also bought Inlot No. 59 adjoining on the west, from John McKinney, and died there in a log house in the early 1800'2.

Wm. Bowman acquired Harrison's blacksmith shop and sold it to Little Seal January 8, 1825--a "one -story Brick house now used by James Harrison." This later was converted into the adjoining residence .

Upon the death of James Harrison, the property passed to his widow and Chas. M. Riley, son-in-law, who had married Nancy Harrison. It still is in the Riley family. Jane Harrison, the widow, October 26, 1844, sold part of the lot next to the house on the east and reserved "Perpetual use of a 4 foot alley between her house and said lot as a passageway to extend 30 feet from High St." but gave "the right to build the second story of a house over said alley." This right was exercised as is obvious from the construction of the adjoining home. A log-house of pioneer days stood to the west of it for many years.

[(Ranck) John McKinney came to Lexington in 1779 at the solicitation of Col. Robt. Patterson and established the school for the fort. In 1783 he moved out of the fort and taught in a log school-house--located (now) Cheapside. Here was where he had his famous fight bare-handed with the wildcat. McKinney afterwards settled in Bourbon County and lived to a green old age. McKinney's log residence was at the north-east corner of Main and Spring Streets.]

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

Transcribed by pb, June 2006