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POLLY LAUDRY (GUNN) HOUSE
353 S. Mill St., Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.
Presley Athey bought 61 feet here from James Masterson and wife, Margaret, in 1813, on "the continuation of Mill St."
Athey sold the lot at a slight profit to Leven Showerd, who held it until July, 1832, when he conveyed it (from Jefferson County, Ky.) to Polly Laudry. (1838 Directory: "Mrs. Cordroy, r.s. S. Mill b. High and Maxwell").
Mrs. Laudry in 1845 deeded it to her son, John L. Laudry--"the house and lot where I now reside on Mill St., as described in conveyance of 1832 from Levin Showerd to me." She reserved "the right to reside with said John in said house as long as I shall continue to live."
There is an interesting reminder of the horrible cholera plague of 1833, to be found beneath this old house. The basement was filled with ashes and sealed during the plague--there was a belief that cholera came from "basements."
Mrs. Frances Gunn, widow of Rev. Wm. Gunn, Shelby County, purchased the house in 1854 from John L. Laudry.
Miss Fannie Adams Gunn, granddaughter of Mrs. Fannie Adams Gunn, is still living here. She recalls going to Mrs. McMichaels when the Civil War ended and telling the slave cook that "freedom has come." The cook "flew over to tell Judge Robertson," Miss Gunn said.
Transcribed by Pam Brinegar, March 2000