REBECCA SPILLER HOUSE

Nos. 234-236 E. 3^rd St., 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 Walsh purchased Rev. J.A. Drew’s lots in Nicholas Square—Nos. 8, 9 and one-half of 10—in February, 1843. Walsh died that year.

Mrs. Rebecca Spiller bought 50 feet “on the Winchester turnpike in Hart’s Square” from Walsh’s administrator in November, 1845, and erected this double two-story brick house.

Mrs. Spiller died in November, 1848, and willed her estate to her daughter, Sarah Smith, for her separate use during her life, and then to descend to Mrs. Smith’s children.

 The first deed to the house was made in December, 1890 (Rebecca Spillman heirs to Emma J. Ashley). As the result of a suit of Chas. Smith vs. J.M. Ashley and wife, and Daniel McC. Payne, trustee of estate of Rebecca Spillman, the court in February, 1856, ordered a division of the Spiller estate, one-half to go to Sarah Smith and the other half to Emma J. Ashley.

The deed was made December 4, 1890, to Mrs. Ashley for her half, which comprised “that log and weather-board dwelling house on Limestone St. and the double-brick dwelling house on Winchester St.” The former was described as being on Limestone St. between Second and Third, “opposite the Catholic Church,” and the latter on Winchester or Third St., between Walnut and Spruce Sts.—55 feet between Harry Christian’s and Katie Haney’s properties.

The Ashleys sold the Third Street house to James O’Neal in 1891.

Transcribed by pb, April 2006