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CLEARY's "ALTA MYRA"
Main at Jefferson,
Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Built Before 1838
Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.
1838 Dir: "Alta Myra," John R. Cleary, W. Main St., opposite Jefferson St."
To visualize the "Alta Myra," where John R. Cleary resided when the 1838 Directory was published, one has to view the rear of the house--the west side, flanking the Jefferson St. viaduct. Majestic columns, remembered by present-day patriarchs, fronted Main St. The pillars were removed and a store front built when the viaduct was erected.
Cleary operated a brewery adjoining his residence, and was evidently financed, in part at least, in his operations by Mrs. Catherine Connell, his mother-in-law. The following deed of Cleary to Mrs. Connell Feb. 4, 1833, tells the history of the origin of the property--the consideration was $4,000.00:
"Beginning at the corner of John C. Richardson, Jr., lot on Main St., running thence with Main St. N.W. 61 3/4 feet and front on the back of said lot nearly opposite J. & T.P. Hart's Steam Mill 41 1/2 feet being part of lot of ground formerly belonging to John and Robert Parker conveyed to them by Mary O. Russell, the part hereby conveyed being the part of said lot assigned to James P. Parker, one of the heirs of Robert Parker, Dec'd, in the division of his estate, and being part of the lot which was assigned to heirs of Robert Parker, dec'd, upon a division between John Parker and the heirs of Robert Parker, dec'd., and conveyed by James P. Parker to John Brand as trustee for Wood & Wattle and by them conveyed to Elisha Warfield and John Brand, late the property of Walter Connell, dec'd, and on his death assigned to his daughter __________ Connell now __________ Cleary."
Mrs. Catherine Connell died in 1858 (probably May) and willed [t]he property to her daughter, Mary Ann Cleary, with provision for her grandson, Wm. W. Cleary. At the death of her daughter, Mary Ann Cleary, the property was to pass to the grandson and Mrs. Connell's son-in-law, John R. Cleary. Cleary was still living here in Sept., 1858, when his interest was deeded to Richard Pindell, who conveyed it to Mary Ann Cleary, his wife.
Incidentally, the deed to one of the Parker heirs for this property was signed by Abraham Lincoln and his wife, Mary Todd. The heirs as named in the deed were James P. Parker, Corilla Parker, Ninian Edwards, Elizabeth his wife, Abraham Lincoln and Mary his wife, William Wallace and Frances his wife, C.M. Smith and Ann his wife, Levi O. Todd, Geo. R.C. Todd, John C. Richardson, Robt. Richardson, John Alexander and Elizabeth his wife, Jane O'Bannon and Sarah Fry.
This lot originally was outside the limits of Lexington. Mrs. Mary O. Russell, in a confirmatory deed in 1812 (to replace one evidently destroyed in the fire of 1803) to the heirs of Robert Parker described the tract of one acre and 130 poles as follows: Beginning on Main St. at the corner of a lot belonging to John Parker and extending back to near Town Branch, etc. "being that part of a lot adjoining Lexington sold by Mrs. Russell to John and Robert Parker by which a division made by the commissioners appointed by the Court was allotted to the heirs of Robert Parker and is part of John Floyd's Military Survey of 200 acres which has been conveyed to Mary O. Russell."
The 1838 Directory introduction thus describes the place here a century ago: "The Lexington Brewery, the property of Mr. John Cleary, situated on Main and Water Sts., is a brick building 180 feet long, 22 feet wide and two stories high. The malt floors are 18 feet long and 22 feet wide. There are cast-iron rollers and stones, propelled by horse-power on an enclined plane, which are capable of grinding 14 bushels an hour. The Brewery is supplied with water from a basin cut in the solid rock 30 feet deep and 12 feet in diameter. The floors of the cellar, which are spacious, are solid rock. This establishment brews during the season 220 bushels of malt per week, viz: 160 for Ale and Porter and 60 for Beer. The quantity of malt liquor produced annually may be estimated at from 700 to 800 barrels of Ale and Porter and 450 barrels of Beer all of which is consumed in the city and adjacent towns. Attached to the brewery is Alta-Myra, the residence of the proprietor. Mr. Cleary deserves great credit for his diligence and energy in furnishing the city with Ale and Porter of a very superior quality. May his receipts reward his industry." (This is one of the most extended "puffs" in the Directory--Cleary must have "set up" every time the editor came around.
Transcribed by P. Brinegar, March 2000