JAMES R. SLOAN HOUSE

E. Second St., Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Built 1839

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

There have been many distinguished occupants of this attractive house with its palladium window and column front.

James Robert Sloan (1838-39 Directory: "Deputy Sheriff, l.s. Constitution St.") built the house in 1839. He bought the lot in February that year from James March, who purchased it from H.H. Timberlake, James Brand's son-in-law.

Sloan, who married Elizabeth S. Morton December 16, 1834, traded the house to Judge Thos. M. Hickey for "Coolavin," in 1843. "Mrs. Baxter and Mrs. Vigus" were mentioned in the deed here as neighbors.

Judge Hickey died soon afterward and his widow, Catherine A., allotted to Mary Jane Hickey the house on Constitution Street "where James R. Sloan lately resided."

James A. Grinstead, of the banking firm of Grinstead and Bradley, bought it from Mary Jane Hickey February 21, 1846, then "occupied as a residence by Jas. A. Grinstead."

Victor M. Flournoy purchased the house from Grinstead January 1, 1858. During his ownership, the Rev. Wm. M. Pratt occupied the residence. Miss Mary Pratt, his daughter, who died December 21, 1939, was born here in 1858.

Flournoy and wife, Elizabeth C., in exchange for a "lot on Second St." and $6,000 cash, conveyed the house November 10, 1860, to Chas. S. Bodley, General Thos. Bodley's son who married Richard P. Curd's daughter, Frances P., November 7, 1844. (1864 Directory: "C.S. Bodley, Sheriff, res. l.s. Constitution bet. Mulberry and Walnut.") The deed said Chas. N. Anderson on the west and Mrs. D.L. Vigus on the east were neighbors.

John J. Dudley purchased the property in 1864 and leased it to J.H. Felix. He conveyed it in July, 1865, to Dr. John W. Whitney, who was appointed Superintendent of the Asylum and sold the house in 1868 to remove to the asylum.

Mrs. Rosa Vertner Jeffrey, wife of Alex. Jeffrey, president of the Lexington Gas Co., bought the house from Dr. Whitney, and resided here until she and her husband bought and removed to the house at Second and Market Streets, which is better known as the residence of the famous poetess than other houses in which she lived.

This entire house, except the one-story addition on the west, is the original Sloan house.

Transcribed by pb, April 2006