PART TWO: A MEMOIR OF LEXINGTON AND ITS VICINITY

With Some Notice of Many Prominent Citizens and Its
Institutions of Education and Religion

By WILLM. A. LEAVY

Continued from the April [1942] Register

Source: Register, Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 40, Number 132, July 1942, pages 253-267. This is the second of eight Register articles containing a transcription of a photocopy of the original William Leavy manuscript located in Special Collections, Transylvania University, Lexington, Fayette, Kentucky. 

NOTE: Page numbers and headings of the manuscript appear in parentheses as in original copy. Pages 1-23 are in Part 1. Pages 24 - 37 are in Part Two., 38 - 62 in Part Three, 63-82 in Part Four, 83-113 in Part Five, 114-123 in Part Six, 124-163 in Part Seven, and 164-208 in Part Eight.

ROBT. BARR, & SONS THOS. T. & ROBT. R. & ELISHA WARFIELD
Robert Barr came to Lexington and its vicinity from Philadelphia about the year 1784 and resided on his elegant estate of six hundred acres commencing at the edge of town on the Paris road. He pursued his business as a merchant on Main Street S. Side 3 or 4 doors from the corner of Mill Street (— the same lot on which is the shoe store of M.P. Lancaster). After Mr. Barr quit business this stand was first occupied by his sons Thos. & Robt. Barr, afterwards by Jerh. Neave and subsequently built on and occupied by Mr. Barr's son-in-law Dr. Elisha Warfield, who married his daughter Maria having his family residence in the 2d story separate entrance in front about the year 1812 or 13. Dr. Warfield after being a few years engaged in the practice of his profession 1809-12 embarked in the mercantile business in that house & afterward took as his partner Dr. Wm. Robertson who after a few years removed to Harrodsburgh. Wm. Barr of Versailles & Robt. Barr of Missouri were clerks of Dr. Warfield. Mr. Barr was a Trustee of the town as early as 1785, and was an intelligent and active citizen. His second daughter Rebecca, a very intelligent and agreeable lady, was married to Dr. Walter Brashear, an active speculator, in a few years removing to Louisiana, where he made a very valuable location, and was a prominent member of the Legislature. Brashear City was named from him and I believe was laid off by him. The oldest son Thomas T. Barr was a great reader — a well read historian — and a very warm Democratic politician, and was a member on one or two occasions of the Legislature from Fayette Co. He was very early, and warmly enlisted in the affairs of the Lexington library, was Secy of the Board of Directors, at its commencement, & a Member of the Board & its chairman. He had very warmly my personal esteem as had also his brother Robert R. Barr. They never married. Thos. died in 1824 aged 47, Robert, who had passed through Transylvania Univr., some years before I entered it, a few years after. The 3^rd. daughter Eliza, was married to David Todd, Esq., afterwards Judge Todd of Missouri. Nancy, the 4th daughter became the second wife of my much esteemed friend Benjamin Warfield Esqr. attorney at law & subsequently largely engaged in rearing fine Durham Cattle, who died of a painful disease in the year—and his widow a very few years after.—Dr. Elisha Warfield after some years in selling goods deter-

(24) WM. MORTON, JAS MORRISON
mined to embark in farming and Stock raising bought the farm and residence of Richd. Higgins 3 miles South West of town now the residence of his son in law Dr. Tarlton particularly giving his attention to fine horses and racing stock, in which he had considerable success. He erected a large and fine house near the spot where his father in law's old brick residence was situated, the "Meadows" near town where Mrs. W. energetically carried on and superintended an excellent market garden for a good many years so successfully that she had a handsome fortune of her special earning in this way to divide among her children at her death. The Dr. also divided a large estate among them. Mr. Barr's youngest daughter Caroline a handsome and interesting young lady about my own age died at 16 or 18 years of age. My father and mother while I was very young visited Mr. Barr's family often.

William Morton from Dauphin or Cumberland County Pennsylvania came to Lexington about 1787 or 90. He had a successful career as a merchant, and added to his business a tanyard, which I have no doubt he found a profitable item. His store was the 3d. one from the corner of Upper Street on Main. John S. Snead afterwards a merchant in Louisville was with Mr. M. in business a number of years, and before his death a partner in the name of John S. Snead & Co. The tanyard and residence of Teague his superintendent was the S.W. corner of Main and Lower Streets. Mr. Morton was a liberal and public spirited citizen, and was the largest and most active contributor to the building of the first and second Episcopal churches, himself and family being members of that Church. He also gave to the City of Lexington the sum of 10,000 Dollars to the foundation of the City School, and left a handsome property to divide among his heirs.

Mr. Morton was the first President of the Kentucky Insurance Company Bank and fulfilled the office much to the satisfaction of the stockholders. Mr. M. was tall and stately in person and dignified in his deportment. From the neatness of his person and stateliness of his manners he was familiarly spoken of as Lord Morton. He subscribed with me 200$ in stock for purchase of the Ky. Insce Co. building for the Lexington Library.

Col. James Morrison, a wealthy and influential citizen from Cumberland County Pena came to Lexington in the year 1792. The son of an Irish emigrant, his native strength of mind gradually elevated him far beyond his humble origin. He served for six years in the army of the Revolution and distinguished himself as one of Morgan's select corps of riflemen. After the war he went into business at Pitttsburgh, and rose to be Sheriff of the county. On his removal to Lexington, which presented an inviting field to the adventu-

(25) JAS. MORRISON, ALEX. PARKER
rous and enterprising, he filled, in succession, the high and important trust of land commissioner, representative in the legislature, supervisor of the revenue, Navy agent, contractor for the North western army of 1812, quartermaster general, president of the Lexington branch of the United States Bank, and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Transylvania University. Col. Morrison was of commanding appearance; stern, but courteous, of great decision of character, native talent, wide experience and considerable reading. He acquired considerable wealth, which he disbursed in elegant hospitality, judicious patronage of deserving young men, and the promotion of letters. He left the endowment of 50,000$ to Transylvania University beside a professorship of $1200 pr annum. Col. Morrison built the large brick residence lately occupied by his niece Miss Sidney S. Edmiston, NW. Corner of Short and Upper Streets about 1803 and continued to reside there until the period of his death which occurred in Washington City 23 Apl. 1823. President Holley gave a discourse on his death delivered in the University before a numerous concourse of citizens which was afterwards published.

Alexander Parker who came from Carlisle Pa. at least as early as 1785 or 1786, with most of his father's family, began to carry on a Store in Lexington with his brother James as partner, Alexr. & Jas. Parker, as we see in Bradford's Gazette in 1787 and probably somewhat earlier. After the death of his brother Jas. he henceforth carried on the mercantile business in Lexington until his own death or near it. He was a very active and attentive man to business, but was a Citizen of great public spirit and liberality. He was an active and intelligent Trustee of the town for a number of years. He was also a Trustee of Transylvania University. A Director and, after W. Morton, President of the Kentucky Insurance Co. Bank. He sought to acquaint his only son, now our aged fellow citizen Richd. B. Parker, with his business, and to establish him in it, but he had not the peculiar talents that fitted him for excelling in that line. Major Parker married Miss Mary Howard, daughter of the venerable John Howard but the union was not a happy one, I have supposed from the fractious or quick temper of the husband. I knew Mrs. Parker well, she was much esteemed member of the Presbn. church to which I belonged for many years. They had only 2 children, Mary, who became the wife of Thos. T. Crittenden brother of the hon. John J. Crittenden & Richd. H. It was Mrs. Crittenden's son, Alexr. Parker Crittenden, who was assassinated by Mrs. Fair at S. Francisco California 1872. Major Parker built the Store & residence where he carried on the business opposite the Court House. It is now the store stand &

(26) A. PARKER, GEO. ANDERSON & SONS
has been for a number of years of James M. Elliott. Although reasonable successful in business during a long and honourable career, Major Parker was finally unfortunate and left little or no property at his death. His principal losses were endorsements or payments for his son-in-law Crittenden; who, though a lawyer and not destitute of talents had little or no business as a lawyer and was much addicted to the vice of gambling. I understood Parker had to pay and nearly all at once $20,000. Majr. Parker was quick in temper, a staunch Federalist in politics, of excellent moral principles and habits. Major Parker exercised always a spirit of general benevolence, and a liberal hospitality for a number of years most commonly presided over by his daughter before her marriage.

He died in Frankfort 1831. He resided in the dwelling part of his store until the erection of his residence in a large lot extending from Main Street to High rear High Street afterwards of Wm. Richardson, Esq. and subsequently of Elijah W. Craig for a number of years. His bror. James Parker was one of the early Trustees of the town, and an active citizen, leaving his widow, and daughter Margaret, who became the wife of Larkin B. smith Atty. at Law. Beside his 2 story brick residence between Mill Street and Broadway on North side of Main, he left other means beside several valuable town lots.—

George Anderson came to Lexn. from Carlisle Pena. and opened his store early in 1788. He came in company with his father as did also Robert Holmes, from the same place, Mr. Holmes carried on his business of Chair maker and Wheelright adjoining his residence N E Corner of Broadway & Short Street, a worthy citizen Richd. H. Chinn Esq. many years an eminent lawyer of Lexington and N. Orleans married a daughter of Mr. Holmes.— Mr. Anderson's place of business and residence for many years was in a 2 story stone building corner Main Street and Cheapside. Mr. A. was attentive to business and successful, owning at different times, a number of valuable lots in the city. He had a partner for a time his brother in law John M. Boggs, each of them marrying a Miss Oliver. Mr. Boggs was the father of Governor Lilburn W. Boggs of Missouri— Mr. Anderson was succeeded in business by his sons Thomas and James who were successful in their business also agreeable additions to our society. Thomas marrying Miss Sidney Boyd James.

(27) ROB. PARKER, PEYTON SHORT
Miss Mary Wrigglesworth. After some years of business in Lexington they both removed to Louisville, the former having a very successful career as Auction and Commission merchant. Their brothers John & G. Washington followed them to that city John having married the daughter of John L. Martin Esqr. a long resident & highly esteemed citizen, the latter Eleanor daughter of Mrs. Thos. Hart Jr. — Thos. Anderson left a handsome property, a son W. George Anderson wealthy and a daughter, his brother James & his wife are yet alive with a numerous family, nearly all daughters, George W. has left a wife and four or five daughters & 2 sons, John has left a daughter, Mrs. Ten Brock &c.

Robert Parker one of our earliest merchants (brother of John Parker, Esqr. of Parker's Mill who removed from Pennsylvania in the fall of 1784 & there established his mill & settled who was also a number of years a member of our County Court), had also a Mill and Tract of Land adjoining his brother, at a place on Versailles road now called Slickaway, came to Lexington soon after his brother R. Parker opened a Store in 1786 or 7, at S.W. Corner of Main & Main Cross Streets and subsequently in his old frame house, Main Street which has been replaced by the handsome brick Store now a Hat Store of the Mess. Shaw. —He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the Town, and Town Surveyor. He died in 1798 or 1800. J.C. Richardson Jr. some years Sheriff married the oldest daughter of Mr. Parker and Robert Todd's first wife was a younger daughter. Mr. Parker died in the year 1798 or 1800. His sons all of whom I knew at college and the eldest particularly well, were James P. Parker who became a Doctor of Medicine, and on marrying Miss Milliken of Mississippi removed to that State, and continued the practice until his death at Port Gibson. Robt. who died immediately after becoming of age, and commencing the practice of Law. John T. Parker M.D. whose first wife was a daughter of Col. Allen of Shelby. After returning of Lexn. and resuming the practice of his profession he removed to Newport K subsequently I think to Ballard Co'y. where he resided with his son until his death. Andrew Wm. P. Parker who became a lawyer and removing to Springfield, Ky died there in a short time after his removal.—

Peyton Short, Esqr. from Virga. came to Lexington at least as early as 1790, brother of the hon. Wm. Short, one of the Ministers to France under Mr. Jefferson, Mr. Short was highly esteemed as a Citizen, a gentleman & man of wit. He brought a cargo of goods to Lexn. in February 1790, but from purchases of land and other objects of speculation, quit the Mercantile business. He was one of the state senators from Fayette in 1792. He removed to Woodford Co. and owned the farm lately owned & occupied by Mr. Charles Bright. One of his sisters married Charles Wilkins Esqr. the other Dr. F. Ridgeley. He was the father of John Cleves Short, Esq., of vicinity of Cincinnati, now decd. and of Dr. Charles W. Short, Professor in our Medical College & afterwards of Louisville now deceased, and of an only daughter Anne, who became

(28) C. WILKINS, A. HOLMES
the wife of Dr. Benjamin W. Dudley, and the mother of his two sons Dr. Charles Wilkins Dudley and Wm. A. Dudley Esqr. decd. lately President of the Lexington & Louisville Shortline Rail Road a man of excellent business talents and of acquirements in his legal Profession.

Charles Wilkins from Pena. elder brother of the Hon. Wm. Wilkins of Pittsburgh an esteemed and distinguished citizen of Lexington, who beside his Mercantile business, which he commenced in Lexington about the year 1790, embarked in the exportation of produce. He married a sister of Peyton Short Esqr.—He was eminently public spirited, liberal and active in promoting the best interests, of the community. He built the residence N.W. corner 2d. and Upper Streets, where he resided for many years—subsequently the property of Mrs. Richd. A. Curd, Mrs. Hood and now of James Grinstead and others. Among the remarkable men of business brought up by Mr. Wilkins in his store were Saml. Trotter of Lexington & Daniel Vertner of Natchez Mississippi afterwards Lexington. Mr. Wilkins had as his partner of several years of active business Mr. B. Reed McIlvaine, an agreeable member of our society from Burlington New Jersey who married Miss Catherine Dumesnil, a young lady of great amiability and beauty, and soon afterward removed to New York.

Mr. Wilkin's nephews Charles & Jas. Ernest of Pittsburgh were sent to the University by him, and Dr. Short boarded with him while a student. His sister Mrs. Hollingsworth made his house her home for a short time.

Andrew Holmes & his brother Jonathan were early merchants in Lexington, they came from Baltimore Md. or from Carlisle Pena. in 1787 or 1788 were fine clerks and agreeable men of business. Andrew Holmes in 1790 & Duncan & Holmes same year Andw. & Jona. Holmes & Co. 1793-9. The frame dwelling house in which he lived, a double house, immediately opposite the Baptist Graveyard, on Main Street, corner of Lower St. is yet standing. He was an estimable and agreeable gentleman. He was a particular friend of my father and died in 1806 or 1807. Mr. Holmes showed his Public Spirit & liberality by presenting to the State of Kentucky the second State House used by the Legislature 1792-3 situated in Frankfort mentioned by Collins in History of Ky. 2 vols. 1874 and his zeal for the promotion of Knowledge by presenting to the Lexington Library soon after its first opening the only copy it has of the Encyclopedia Brittanica (Dobson's edition), 21 vols 4to. I have known this set of books to have been much read and studied by many readers, and particularly to have seen more of them carried to and from the library under the arm by at least two of our early and respectable mechanics and artisans.

(29) A. HOLMES, J.W. HUNT
Mr. William Tod, a Scotchman, and Mr. John Jones an Englishman both near neighbours and well known to me. The former I am credibly informed became a convert to Christianity by the perusal of one of its articles—the able article of Dr. Cleig on Christianity—his whole family male and female became pious; his son, Rev. David Tod, became a very active and useful minister of the Presbyterian Church of extensive labours in different parts of the land, his son Wm. F. Tod a Hat Manufacturer a zealous and devoted member and a liberal one of the same church. Wm. Tod presented the only copy I ever saw of Grove's Moral Philosophy (footnote: Mr. Grove an admirable author but little known. Dr.Johnson, in his life of Boswell, vol. 6, 151, makes allusion to Mr. Grove, in conversing on Addison's Spectator, "One of the finest pieces in the English language is the Paper on Novitty, No. 626, yet we do not hear it talked of—it was written by Grove, a dissenting teacher." — Mr. Grove was the author of three or four other papers in the 8^th volume of the Spectator, among the best in that celebrated work—especially of the best paper, No. 635, Dec. 20, 1714—Mr. Grove was born at Taunton 1682 and died 1727 in his 54^th year. His Posthumas Works were Published by subscription in 4 vols. 8 vo. in 1740.) Rev. Henry Groves of Taunton to Lexington Library, in 2 vols. 1788. Mr. Holmes left a son Wm. and daughter, and his widow a fine looking and agreeable woman, became afterwards the wife of Jeremy O. Payne, who in a mad or crazy fit shot her, and himself died in the jail in Lexington on his trial for murder in the year 1810 or 1811. — I think Mr. Holmes died under circumstances of embarrassment and left but a small amount of his property and that in landed estate — The murder of Mrs. Payne created a great shock in the community. Mr. Payne's son by this lady Orlando F. Payne became Mayor of the city of Lexington in the year 1851 —

John W. Hunt a native of Trenton, New Jersey, claims a prominent place among the Merchants and inhabitants of Lexington. His unparaleled success would claim it. Mr. Hunt's first adventure as a Merchant I have been informed was unsuccessful at Richmond, Va. He came to Lexington in the year 1794. The firm was first Abijah & John W. Hunt. Their store was on next lot to my father's. Stephen Collin's old tavern stand—their Advertisements published in "Stewart's Kentucky Herald" at Norton & Sharpe's date July 1794. He was at my father's wedding Jany 1796 and became a married man, to Miss Catherine Grosh of Hagerstown, himself the same or following year, as was Thos. Hart, Jr. about the same time to her sister Miss Eleanor Grosh.

He carried on a store early after coming to Lexington, and at different times removed the business, but never confined himself to it. He early carried on a Bagging Manufactory and Rope Walk. He kept one or two fine horses for improving the Stock of the neighborhood, and other pursuits always eminent for his financial talents. His hemp factory was burned by a negro in 1813 the incendiary was hung for the crime. He was a successful Speculator; & among other things in United States Bank Stock—the projector, president and large holder of Stock in the Farmers and Mechanic's Bank of Lexington 1819 or 1820, held in the same building built for and used by the Kentucky Insurance Co. Bank. He started and carried on for years The Lexington Fire and Marine Insurance Co. of which he was president. The Lexington Fire & Marine Insurance Co. was chartered I think in 1838 or 1839. A portion of its business given in the testimony of Mr. Baxter its Secretary for 12 years in the trial of Rev. John H. Brown Page 92 & 93 —) which however failed, causing great loss to the Stockholders—This was owing to the large and imprudent risks of their Agent H.I. Bodley in the St. Louis—Our townsman Abr. T. Skillman it was said lost about $60,000 by Stock in the Insurance Co, He bought and sold Lands and other property; and was unsuccessful in almost everything in which he engaged. His career was unblemished, and highly honourable. He died Augt. in the year 1849 aged I think about 78 years leaving much the largest

(30) JOHN W. HUNT
estate to his family, unincumbered, of any individual probably in Kentucky, certainly of any in Lexington. It seemed that as a business man that everything he touched turned into gold; but it was not so in every instance¾ I remember two remarkable instances to the contrary. During the great excitement in the price of property in I think the year 1814 he bought a large lot between Prentiss's Woolen factory and what is now the cemetery ground and a woods pasture at $500 pr. acre yet soon after parted with it; the other instance is more remarkable in his catching the fever for speculation in the cotton lands of North Alabama, this I think occurred in the year 1817 or 18 and he has often confessed it was sufficient to break him if it had been known to other as well as to himself. Though so eminent in his business talent, it did not usurp his attention from other departments of life. He was a large farmer, and yet is the only farmer I have known that made his farm investment produce him a good interest on that portion of his Capital, by judicious stocking, and combining trading of other things with his produce or stock. Mr. Hunt was exemplary in the social and domestic relations, he was marked for his hospitality, and for his urbanity to strangers. I cannot dismiss the notice of Mr. Hunt without mentioning that he was more than any individual I ever knew noted as a very early riser, and punctual keeper of engagements. I will give a striking instance of this habit in him. He made an appointment with me to call on me at my farm near Lexn. at an early hour after breakfast in the year 1841 to see my cattle I think at seven o'clock as I knew his punctuality and tried to be ready, but had not finished my breakfast and was not yet expecting him, when he came a little before the time appointed. His overseer, Mr. Marrs, told me that he frequently came to his farm and surprised him by his visit 4 miles from town by sunrise; Patrick Dolan was very often engaged by him for the purchase of Stock bears the same testimony to his early hours and more than punctuality to his appointments. His habits of activity and of temperance kept him always in the enjoyment of health and of life. He rode much on horse back and always had a fine horse. His countenance and appearance every way was the index of that enjoyment, for the even tenor of a long and useful life. One of Mr. Hunt's clerks James E. Pearson became a wealthy citizen of Louisville, and died there. Mr. Hunt was Chairman of the Board of Managers of the Lunatic Asylum, and his services were considered valuable to the important institution.

(31) COL. THOMAS HART
Mr. Hunt's daughters were Mary, married to John H. Hanna, Esq., Frankfort, Theodosia married to Col. Strother of St. Louis, now a widow residing in Europe with her married daughter— Eleanor, married to Richd. A. Curd, Henrietta married to Calvin Morgan, and Anna married to Reynolds, and Kitty who died young; his sons Charlton, Abm. O., Thomas H., Francis K., and John who died single and early. The members of this large and interesting family are too well known to need more special notice in this memoir.

Col. Thomas Hart came to Lexington about the year 1790 from Hagerstown, Maryland, where for some years he had been engaged in the mercantile business in company with Col. Rochester who was a founder of the city of Rochester N. York. He was originally from Hanover County, Virginia, and Orange County, North Carolina. His family was of the first distinction and respectability, a brother of Nathaniel Hart, a companion and partner of Col. Henderson, the founder of the Transylvania Company, who met at Boonesborough May 11^th 1775 to organize their new government (Col. Isaac Shelby married a daughter of N. Hart in 1781) afterwards annulled by the state of Virginia and a Grant made to Col. Henderson and others of Henderson's Grant in acknowledgement of the benefit conferred on the State.—

Col. Hart was the father of Mrs. Dr. Richard Pindell, of Mrs. Henry Clay, of Mrs. James Brown, and of Mrs. Price, whose eldest daughter Eliza became the wife of my friend and schoolmate Thos. A. Marshall. Chief Justice of the Court of Appeals and several times Member of Congress, her sister Nanette, the wife of Thos. Smith Editor, Ky. Reporter: both these ladies still alive and widows. Col. Hart commenced business in Lexington and took his son Thos. Hart Jr. into partnership Thos. Hart & Sons. He was owner of the block on Mill Street extending from 1^st or Church Street to Second, and to the Alley half way to Main cross Street or Broadway; his dwelling owned some years by Judge Turner, who enlarged the building by a room and—Col. Hart, resided in this building until his death (2 or 3 lines erased and unreadable) the corner Mill & 2d. Street. One subsequently owned and increased in size by Dr. B.W. Dudley, who page 206, lived in it for a number of years. Afterwards by J.J. Hunter, & now the residence of Col. W.C.P. Breckinridge, the other after Tho Hart Junr. was the residence of the Venerable John Bradford, afterwards of Mrs. Bruce, and now the property & residence of Mrs. Ann Eliza Ryland, daughter of Dr. E. Warfield. The following tribute to Daniel Boone the immortal pioneer of Kentucky is highly honourable to both. Boone had been so singularly unfortunate in February of the year 1780 on his way from Kentucky to Richmond to be robbed of all his money and a very large sum for the Harts and others, intrusted to his care, which he took to purchase land warrants at Williamsburgh. N.B. Boone

(32) COL. HART AND THO. HART, JR.
had converted his own money into $20,000 paper money for this object and receipted to Capt. Nathaniel Hart for 2646 pounds 10s Virginia money for the same object and 300 pounds: to be given to Mrs. Hart. On hearing of his own and of Boone's losses Col. Hart writes to Capt. Nathaniel Hart from Grayfields Aug 3—1780 "I observe what you say respecting our losses by Danl. Boone. I had heard of the misfortune soon after it happened, but not of my bring a partaker before now. I feel for the poor people who perhaps are to lose even their preemptions: but I must say I feel more for Boone, whose character, I am told, suffers by it. … Much degenerated must the people of this age be, when amongst them are to be found men to censure and blast the reputation of a person just and upright, and in whose bosom is a seat of virtue too pure to admit of a thought so base and dishonorable. I have known Boone in times of old, when poverty and distress had him fast by the hand; and in these wretched circumstances, I have ever found him of a noble and generous soul, despising everything mean; and therefore, I will freely grant him a discharge for whatever sums of mine he might have been possessed of at the time."—For Original of Col. D. Boone to Hart see 104.

Thomas Hart Jr. eldest son of Col. Hart, was a Merchant and business man of extraordinary talents and energy, which he exerted effectively during his short career for he died in the year 1809 only two years surviving his aged father and much esteemed as a man and a citizen. My father had a considerable Adventure in partnership with Thos. Hart, Jr. to New Orleans in the year 1803-4. After the expiration of his business with his father he took as a partner in his mercantile business Mr. John C. Bartlet, Hart & Bartlet, their place of business first N.E. corner of Main & Mill Street, a stone building, which was first occupied by Col. Thos. Irwin and J. Bryson, afterwards on S.E. side Main Street 3 doors from Mill. They were engaged occasionally in the exporting produce to New Orleans. Mr. Bartlet married Margarette G. Nicholas, daughter of Col. G. Nicholas, and removed to N. Orleans. The firm was for some years in New Orleans, Hart, Bartlet & Cox—Bartlet dying there; Mrs. B. returned to Lexington became a devoted member of the Presbn. church about 1815 & herself died in 1819 then Mrs. Fletcher of Bath;— her memory is embalmed in a funeral discourse of her pastor Mr. McChord. Hart was a man of enterprise— bought about 1806-7 the residence of Col. Nicholas the Square occupied by

(33) COL. HART AND SONS
the Sayre Institute and Col. Nicholas's lots to the rear of it on Winchester Street and Walnut, his family resided there for some years after his death—He engaged actively in the manufacture of Rope and Bagging; and owned the farm of 3 or 4 hundred acres 4 or 5 miles from town on the Parker's Mill road afterwards owned by Robt. Todd son of Wm. He carried on also the Manufacture of nails.—

His lady as her sister Mrs. Hunt were charming members of the Society of Lexington, and they had an amiable family. The eldest son Thos. Pindell Hart was an active citizen for some years, a valuable trustee, or councilman of the City with whom I have served as a Member, his first wife Miss Sally, daughter of Capt. John Postlethwaite, losing her he married a Miss Gardner, sister of the wife of James Prentiss. He kept tavern in Frankfort & in Louisville, creditable houses—Eleanr the oldest daughter of Thomas Hart jr. married Geo. Washington Anderson, a number of years resident at and respectable citizen of Louisville where he died. Mrs. A. still survives. See 119—Henry Von Phul one of the clerks of Thos. Hart Jr.

Nathl. G.S. Hart second son of Col. Thomas Hart, was engaged in business in 1811 or before a store in his own name, 2 or 3 doors east of Mill Street, at the time or just before volunteering himself in the Army which left Kentucky in 1812 and as Capt. of a handsome company of infantry went at the head of his gallant company to the Battle of the River Raisin, where with many of his men he fell a martyr to savage cruelty. He exercised the office of a Magistrate for some time before leaving Lexington, and was highly esteemed. In his company I had many fellow students whom I accompanied as far as Georgetown on their setting out full of martial fervor and hope, alas how few were permitted to return—My fellow students of this company with some of whom I was very intimate were James P. Parker, John M. McCalla, Isaac L. Baker, Saml. Elder, David McIlvaine, James Ebenezer Blythe, the three last were killed, the first three after hardships and sufferings returned, the others with their Capt. never. Nat Hart was married to a Miss Gist, sister of Mrs. Dr. Boswell, they had one son Henry Hart a respectable citizen of St. Louis.

John Hart the youngest son of Col. Hart had various engagements of a business character built one or more houses esteemed by his friends & acquaintances died a single man and early, an intelligent & honorable man. Col. Hart had the only copy I ever saw in Kentucky of the Works of Voltaire in English translated by Smollett in 36 volumes.

(34) GENL. THOMAS BODLEY AND SONS
after losing one or two volumes and best known of his works in Frankfort the sett was presented by his grandson Thomas P. Hart to the Lexington Library.

General Thomas Bodley a most active influential citizen came to Kentucky a single man from the state of Pennsylvania about the year 1787. In his early years he was distinguished as an expert clerk and confidential man of business. I have heard he was a volunteer officer in the army of Genl. Wayne in 1794. He married the daughter of Judge Innes a charming woman who brought up her amiable family in the best manner. Many years the Clerk of the Fayette Circuit Court he proved himself a competent and popular officer. He was one of the most esteemed and distinguished citizens—he was a hospitable and generous man, identified with the history of Lexington during a long career, and died in the Cholera of 1833, in about the seventieth year of his age. He built about 1806 the brick dwelling S.E. corner Upper and High Streets afterwards Richd. Higgins Sr. in which his family resided, until he subsequently bought & owned for a number of years the more commodious residence N.E. corner of Second and Market St.—since occupied by Major John Tilford, Danl. Vertner, & Mr. A Dudley. Mrs. Bodley had the occasional company of her female relatives and friends and saw from time to time a good deal of elegant company at their home.

Their eldest son Harry Innes Bodley has showed himself a worthy successor to the reputation of his father in all respects, — as Clerk of the Circuit Court, as an active and valuable member of the City Council, I served with him in that body he was chairman of the Committee of Ways and Means, and as a drawer up of Agreements & papers he was expert and had no equal—as Insurance Agent and in other departments individual and social he was excellent. His brother as an Attorney Judge Wm. S. Bodley maintains a high standing in Louisville. They both passed through College with honors. Their sister Elizabeth married to __________ Owsley I always found an interesting and excellent member of Society I knew her best of the daughters. She was an agreeable member of the Church Presbyterian to which I belonged.

(35) JOHN JORDAN & OTHERS, & GEO. NICHOLAS
John Jordan Junr. came from Phila. to Lexington somewhere about the year 1790. He was an active and enterprising merchant—rather speculative although competent and well brought up to business. Curtis Field afterwards a wealthy merchant of Richmond was one of the Clerks under Mr. Jordan. His place of business was one of the brick houses on N.E. side Main Street between Cheapside and Mill. I think he was one of the merchants who projected the Ky. Insurce Co. Bank. He was I think a considerable loser in his exporting produce in boats to N. Orleans, and also as an endorser of Notes or Bills for Aaron Burr & Blennerhasset as was also Robert Miller (1804-1818) a Merchant on S.E. side Main St. 4 or 5 doors above Mill Street, Mr. Miller sold some Books & other personal property of Blennerhasset seized at his residence on his Island and brought to Lexington.

Mr. Jordan married Miss Sarah Von Phul a polished and agreeable lady in Phila. and her brothers Henry and Graaf Von Phul and sister Maria accompanied them to Lexn. Henry becoming partner afterwards of Wm. Smith, a wealthy hatter becoming merchant (about 1810) they removed Smith & Von Phul to Saint Louis, the younger brother Graaf V.P. became Deputy Postmaster first with Mr. Jordan, afterwards with Capt. Fowler till the year 1819. With him I was very intimate he was a young man of considerable reading, of taste, and fine sensibility and felt deeply the news of his death, his body was found in the Ohio at Louisville on his return from Saint Louis, believed to be his own act, in the fall of 1819. He corresponded at that time, being much exercised on the subject of Religion, with his friend Revd. John Breckinridge. After Mr. Jordan's death Mrs. J. was married to Judge ________ of Illinois and her sister Maria accompanied her.—They were a polite, intelligent, and well bred family. After Mr. Jordan's failure in business he received the appointment of Post master which he filled to the entire satisfaction of the community. In a shipment of Produce to New Orleans Mr. Jordan had a number of Boats lost or unaccounted for I have understood, and he believed he was defrauded by his agent. One of his clerks (Mr. Ben Keiser) gave me this as a reason for his failure.—My father loaned Mr. Jordan whom he esteemed six hundred dollars in 1806 or 1807 a short time before his failure; it proved a clear loss.

Col. George Nicholas of Va.—Who was an officer of the American Revolution & a Member of the Virginia Convention on the U.S. Constitution—emigrated to Ky. in 1790 or 1791 having been a Member of the State Convention from the County of Mercer in 1792, which formed our first State Constitution, of which he is the reputed author. He was reckoned at the head of the bar in Kentucky. He removed to Lexington soon after and built his large residence on Limestone Street (probably in 1795-7) afterwards successively owned by Thos. Hart Jr., Robt. Wickliffe, Edwd. P. Johnson, and at present the Sayre Institute.

(36) JOHN BRECKINRIDGE AND SONS
where he resided until his death, owning a number of Lots in the rear of his residence on Walnut & Winchester Street. A small brick walled burying place for his family was built on one of them where several members of his family and himself were interred—removed afterwards in Episcopal Grave Yard—the lots are now built over. His two younger sons I knew for a year or two at college a short time George & Saml. George I think died a Midshipman I think at sea the latter about my own age since a distinguished Jurist of Louisville & recently deceased. Nelson Nicholas an older brother who had some decided talents, as a writer edited in Lexington a paper which he started in 1824 the Kentucky Whig, two older sons of whom I have no recollection Col. Robert Nicholas U.S. Army and Wilson Carey Nicholas. They are many years deceased. Most of the daughters I knew Mrs. Thomas Dye Owings of Bath, Mrs. Lewis Sanders, Mrs. Jos. H. Hawkins, Mrs. Gabriel Trotter, Mrs. J.C. Bartlet, afterwards Fletcher and Mrs. Richard Hawes.—These ladies were all interesting members of our Society Mrs. Hawes survived till the year 1874.—Col. Nicholas gave Instruction in the Law to a number of our first lawyers and statesmen as Joseph H. Daviess, Col. Richd. M. Johnson, John Pope, Hon. Felix Grundy and others.

Hon. John Breckinridge distinguished as Attorney General of the United States and for the active part he took in the State legislature in the formation of the State Constitution came from the Sate of Virginia to Lexn. and vicinity in the year 1792. As a Statesman and Lawyer he had no superior, but his career in our neighborhood was short, dying suddenly in the year 1806 or 1806. I have no recollection of him. His descendants have attained a remarkable distinction—Mrs. Breckinridge kept up the family hospitality and received a great deal of the best company at her well known residence Cabell's Dale. Their oldest son Joseph Cabell Breckinridge had an elevated standing for talents, high moral character and in every position he occupied as a member of society of the State Legislature and his public capacity. He married Miss Mary Smith the daughter of President Saml. Stanhope Smith of Princeton. Genl. John C. Breckinridge is their son.—It has often been remarked as a very singular distinction in one family to have three Ministers of the Gospel, and all of them of more than common excellence. Rev. John Breckinridge D.D. had a short but brilliant career 1^st as Pastor 2d Presbn. Church of Lexington, then Minister in Baltimore, and subsequently as Agent & Secy. of the Board of Foreign Missions of the Presbyterian Church. Rev. Robt. J. Breckinridge only recently deceased and extensively known as a Professor of Theology in Danville Seminary and as a Writer & Public Lecturer is probably the most distinguished.—R.J. Breckinridge D.D. was Pastor of a Church in Baltimore, President of Jefferson College, Canonsburgh, Pennsylvania, Pastor 1^st. Presbyterian Church Lexington and lastly Prof. of Theology in Danville Seminary the author of several text books used in the Seminary & many other and Rev. W.L. Breckinridge as a President of several Colleges 1^st.

(37) HENRY CLAY
The Hon. Henry Clay may be well named in a Record however short of what is worthy to be remembered of Lexington. He emigrated from Virginia to Lexington in November 1797 was married to Lucretia daughter of Col. Thos. Hart in 1799. Though possessed of no means on his arrival here his commanding talents soon introduced him into business and to public life. He was elected to the Legislature in 1803. Before his distinction as a public man I have heard my father say as a lawyer he always found him prompt in his attention to whatever business was instrusted to him and punctual in his returns. Beside business of his own my father had sent him a considerable amount of business from his friends in Philadelphia. It was not long before he became a leader in the House of Representatives, and Senate of the United States, along with the first men of the Nation, and a world as to fame. His first residence was in Mill Street but soon removed to his farm of Ashland and built his residence his future home until his death which took place in the City of Washington in the year 1852. He always took the liveliest interest in the welfare and prosperity of Lexington and its institutions. He was the writer and executor of Col. Jas. Morrison's Will, in which a large residuary legacy was left to Transylvania University. Mr. Clay's house was the seat of elegant and liberal hospitality. He was habitually courteous and polite and his house was the resort of all distinguished strangers and visitors of Lexington. He was very kind and bland in his intercourse with his friends and neighbors. I have had marked and affecting proofs of his respect and affectionate regard.

(To be continued)

Transcribed August 2001 by pb

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