PART FIVE: 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 January [1943] Register

Source: Register, Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 41, Number 135, April 1943, pages 107-137. This is the fifth 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.

Frederick Lauman & John Seitz, Seitz & Lauman were merchants in Lexington from 1793 or 1794 to 1800 and John A. Seitz alone to about 1803 or 4. Mr. Seitz's store was on N.E. corner Main & Mill street the old stone store; he removed to Natchez. He was German or Dutch, and a public spirited citizen.

(83) MERCHANTS
Luther Stephens & Hallet M. Winslow, Stephens & Winslow who were merchants in Lexington for some years in copartnership, but previously partners as Carpenters and builders, came to Lexington together about the commencement of this century, or a little before it, were very competent in their trade, and very industrious and attentive to their business, and soon had as much as they could attend to. They married sisters daughters of the venerable John Maxwell, one of the first settlers of Lexington. They laid out and sold for the Estate the extension of Lexington in Streets and Lots from Maxwell Street South in the year 1811 & from Main cross Street East. — They were citizens of the best character, and always maintained the best standing. They were plain unpretending, unambitious men, and their influence and example always for good. They were both men of excellent understanding and good sense. Though wealthy, they were simple in their habits and manners, and never had any show of extravagance they had each, hand in hand, a long life of exemplary deportment. Mr. Winslow over 90 at his death. They built our present Court House in the year 1805.

Alvan Stephens the oldest son of L.S. pursued business a few years after the firm. He was a man of fine humor and wit, a Trustee or Councilman, a Director and warm patron of the Lexington Library, and was an active and useful Citizen. He removed to Missouri in the year ____ and died there. Edwin Stephens a while engaged in the Hardware business, and removed to Missouri after having like his brother, been a few years married before his removal.

Joseph H. Hawkins Member of Congress from this District in the year ____ and a Lawyer of great respectability engaged also in the Mercantile business in partnership with his brother Littleberry W. Hawkins who had been brought up to business in the year 1815, in a white frame house immediately opposite our corner, on N.W. corner Mill & Main Streets. It was a bad year to embark in business, and they continued in it but a short time with considerable loss. Jos. soon went to N. Orleans to practice his profession, and went shortly after to Texas, where he became largely interested in much of the valuable lands. His adventure there was either with Stephen F. Austin or consequent upon it. John Love came to Lexn. from Ireland and embarked in the Dry Goods business showing a good knowledge & management of it to success. He took Edwin Upshur Berryman into copartnership. They carried on a flourishing

(84)
business under the style of Love & Berryman. —Berryman was very handsome, and of polite manners, and was an accomplished salesman and purchaser of Goods. His stay was most commonly in Philadelphia and New York and, the principal money made by the firm was in his good purchases. Always on the spot with cash in hand. Berryman married Miss Costar New York a lady of family and fortune and soon opened a wholesale store of his own. They had several sons one for some years in business in Lexington. The luxurious habits of the society he was among in New York was too much for him, and he became a martyr to it after a few years. I saw him at his residence in New York while confined by Dropsy of which he died.

Jeremiah Neave, A Quaker from England, and a zealous Democratic politician, opened a Store on Main Street about the year 1808 and after a residence of a few years here with his amiable and interesting family made a prosperous removal to Cincinnati, where he established himself and his sons in the Hardware business in that City; his oldest son Thompson he took into partnership with two others sons Charles and Alexr. were smart and promising boys when they left here.

Jas. Coleman, who had been one of Col. James Morrison's Clerks for some years established himself in business became married to Miss Elizabeth B. Merrideth and taking as his partner Robert C. Megowan—Coleman & Megowan 2d. house from Mill St. on Main and carried on business for several years 1812-17 with great spirit but ultimately Failed. They had Mr. Joseph Towler as their Book keeper, who was an accomplished clerk, subsequently Clerk and afterwards Cashier of the United States Bank. He married Megowan's widow, a pleasant and agreeable lady. Mr. Towler was an esteemed member and Elder for a number of years in 2d. Presbn. church, and died of cholera 1833.

In a season marked with Speculation and small capital 1812-14 a number of stores were started among others John Bobb and John Vigus the first a Bricklayer the other a Saddle tree maker made a flourish for a short time—the latter closed his residence in Lexington by absconding with the wife of a neighbor to Ohio, the former removed to St. Louis—An amusing anecdote was told me by Danl., Bradford who had bought a Note of Vigus for Mr. John L. Hickman of Paris who when apprised of the fact exclaimed holding up his hands! Heavens God, my money's gone!

Robt. Bywaters & Elijah Noble the former a plasterer the latter in the employ of Mr. Hart had their store of Noble & Bywaters carried on but a short time. Wm. W. Grimes who had acted for a year or more as Clerk for my father opened a store also on Main Street. James P. Parker a fellow student of mine and Wm. W. Graves, Parker & Graves in the store house of Robt. Parker decd. carried on business for some time.

Thomas H. Pindell after marrying Miss Mary Edmiston engaged very actively in the Mercantile business, and other pursuits, besides being a large

(85)
purchaser of property and carrying on the Rope Manufacturing business taking Dodge's Rope walk on high Street. He bought first Mr. Maccoun's residence & Store house and I think sold after to Mr. Hunt who I understand had become his security in some of his large purchases by paying him a certain premium or per cent. He was compelled to give up his large engagements and subsequently became Teller in the Lexn. Branch Bank of Kentucky. Since when I know not in what regular business he has engaged. He left 3 sons, Richard, Henry C. & Jas. Morrison.—

David Williamson first a successful Grocer on Mill Street commenced business as a Mercht. on Main Street 1809. Pollard Keene who had been some years a Clerk for my father was taken into partnership by him, they soon after removed to Nicholasville and failed 1813.

Wm. J. and James H. Holloway who carried on business on Main Street in the years ______ with tolerable success and removed.

Wm. B. and Hugh Todd were merchants here for several years but not experiencing that success they expected removed the former to Missouri the latter to various locations as a Teacher of youth of some pretension.

James Morrison from Maysville a Merchant of talents and success opened here in the year _____ after him his brother Ritchieson they were Irish Richieson Morrison & Thos. C. O'Rear carried on a lively business for some years in Mr. Gatewood's Store room but were not successful, and then each carried on a separate store. They were very industrious men of some excellent Maxims of business—early risers, and late at business, to get through their work. R. Morrison's want of success I think was a principal cause of breaking up his health. He died of consumption at the residence of his brother Moses on Limestone St.

Robert A. Gatewood having been a Clerk with my father and his brother in law was taken in as his partner for the year 1806 and after erecting his Dwelling house & Store a 3 story brick below and adjoining my father's property, brought out from Philadelphia a Stock of Goods carrying on business in his own name carefully, and well for some years being esteemed in his calling rearing up a large family with care. His wife an excellent lady was daughter of Col. Anthony New, M.C. in 1806—She was a valuable acquisition to our society, and made his house for its hospitality attractive to their friends. He had a length without there seeming

(86)
any cause for it an awful change in his health which with flattering changes after being sent to Philadelphia, and apparent restoration, again relapsed into the most deplorable condition. His business was given up and his health utterly destroyed in the year 1823.—His son Andrew became a planter in Mississippi and has left a small family & Henry M.D. and Apothecary & daughter Belle who became the second wife of Dr. Williamson the Dr. was killed in an affray & she died of consumption soon after. His daughter Anne. E. married Dr. Williamson of Louisa, no family. His son Dr. John W. Gatewood, married Miss Ellen Giltner of Woodford, and made his home in Louisiana leaving a widow, since married to Dr. Morton of Racine, Wisconsin, and daughter Fannie married to Dr. Witherspoon of Anderson County. He left a handsome property divided among his children.—

Bird Smith & Robert S. Todd engaged for several years in the Grocery Business they had a pretty fair business but continued only a short time.

Augustus F. Hawkins married Harriet Leavy on _____ 1819.....out of 8 children 2 only John & Strother survived him, commenced the Dry Goods business in 1819 and had for his partner Jas. J. Hunter, and subsequently they took in John Morrison and they carried on a pretty active business on Main Street Hawkins, Morrison & Hunter three doors above Mill and closed it in the year 1822 becoming Clerk in the U.S. Bank and subsequently Clerk and Cashier in the Northern Bank of Kentucky having had 40 years honorable service in the Banks—Note his death 19 May 1876 My Scrap Book p. 332

Joseph Hudson came to Lexn. from Penna. in the year ____ the house below Major Parker's. He was an excellent man and esteemed as a merchant 1795 to 1815. He had as his partner for a part of the time Jos. H. Hervey, under the firm Hudson & Hervey. They were esteemed members of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Hudson's son John became a minister of the Gospel, and is now residing in Iowa. Mr. Hervey married as his second wife Miss Lex. in Philadelphia and kept store there in his own name she was also an esteemed member of the Presn. Church but at the death of her husband, she moved back to Phila. Mr. Hervey's son W.R. Hervey a young man of talents bred to the bar, removed to Louisville, and had two sisters, much esteemed young ladies went there also they were children of his first wife.

Willm. H. Rainey from Pena. a much esteemed elder in the Presbn. Church and Merchant for many years came to Lexington in 1815 and after carrying on business alone took Jas. Ferguson in as a partner, Rainey & Ferguson, and after being a number of years in business was compelled to close with a loss Mr. R. was much esteemed as a Citizen and a man from his first residence to the present period of more than sixty years.

Dr.Joseph & Bushrod Boswell were in business a short time on Cheapside

(87)
and they were succeeded by Morrison Boswells & Sutton col. James Morrison is the first named partner—Dr. Joseph Boswell & his brother Bushrod the second who seemed to do a very large business they bought hemp largely which was manufactured for the firm or one of it David Sutton who had for a number of years before been a Carpenter, but had changed his business.

Bushrod & Thos. E. Boswell, carried on the business together on N.E. Corner of Main & Mill St. under the style of Thos. E. Boswell & Co. They had two excellent clerks and accountants.—from Baltimore John & Cyprian Wells. Bushrod had good talents for business and was at one time a Director in the branch Bank of the United States but was totally ruined by his passions.

Thos. E. Boswell became a partner with Wm. W. Ater in the Rope & Bagging business and carried on a farm near Lexington for some years married a handsome and agreeable lady Miss Campfield of New York by whom he had an agreeable family & then removed to Paducah.

Dr. Jos. & Geo. Boswell his nephew, were partners in business on Cheapside. Saml. & Geo. Trotter in the Dry Goods business largely on S.E. Corner Main & Mill Street 1802-12 and before 1798 to 1802 on Main Street, took as partners for a retail store next door to the corner of Cheapside my cousin Levi I. Gist, and Barnet Metcalfe who had been a Clerk with them for some length of time under the firm Gist Metcalfe & Co. 1813-15 built their brick store & Warehouses Mill Street 1812-15 and Samuel his dwelling.

Saml. & Geo. Trotter also took into their partnership in their store corner Main & Mill Street Robert G. Dudley who had also been their Clerk under the firm Robt. G. Dudley & Co. they done a very large business Wholesale & Retail 1815, and Saml. a number of years very largely in his own name as a Merchant, a Manufacturer of Gunpowder, and Farmer to the period of his death 1833.

Thomas Wallace a native of Ireland came to Lexn. and established his Store on Main Street nearly opposite the Court House about the year 1794 & continued it till about 1819. He bought the handsome lot S.W. corner High & Mill St. and erected a neat 2 story dwelling afterwards Pilkington's, now Mr. Letcher's.

His lady was an agreeable member of Society and their son John was an amiable and highly esteemed young man a Student of Dr. Dudley died of consumption and his remains interred in Trotter's Family Vault.

Mr. Wallace's affairs did not wind up well. He acted as Clerk on Mrs. W's removing to her friends in Shelbyville. Her sister Miss Huldah Chiles after Mrs. Standiford, & the Misses Thomas her nieces from Frankfort, charming ladies were often her visitors. Mr. Wallace was an active and respected citizen. A director in the Ky. Insurce. Co. and a Trustee of the College.

James Campbell a native of Ireland was esteemed as a Merchant came to Lexington in the year _____ and had his store on Main Street N.E. side 2d or 3d door from Mill on the West. He married before he left Lexington in Philadelphia or near it a most agreeable lady.

Saml. Thompson & Ebenezer his brother from Ireland Sam Thompson & Co. sold Goods several years after which Ebenezer removed to Somerset, Pulaski County and carried on business there.

(88)
James & Richd. M. Johnson & afterwards with them Majr. Sebree, Sebree & Johnson engaged in the Grocery business for some years N.W. corner Main & Mill Streets—They had as an assistant an Irishman by the name of Saml. Pilkington a stirring man and successful merchant.

Saml. Pilkington succeeded them & carried on the Grocery business with vigour from the year _____ when he bought of Saml. Trotter for his stand his Store S.E. corner of Main & Mill Street at $8,000 Cash including the adjoining brick dwelling & Lot:—and soon after made purchase as a Dwelling house the property that had been built and occupied as his residence by Thomas Wallace S.W. corner Mill & High Street. He made money fast, had several children and left them a good property.

Thos. Huggins who had been a clerk with Saml. Trotter and subsequently in the Grocery business first in Nicholasville and married Miss Crow a sister of Mrs. Pilkington, had several children by her removed back to Lexington, & married the widow of Mr. Pilkington, who was a pious exemplary member of the Episcopal church. Mr. Huggins though a worthy and industrious man was not successful.

Edward Crutchfield afterwards Crutchfield & Tilford first in S. Trotter's Warehouse afterwards in the brick stand on Main St. & Mill N.W. cor, commenced doing a very active and large business. As also subsequently John B.Tilford & Co. s.s. Main St. from _______ to _______ with Gross his partner to —Mr. T. subsequently became a Banker, first in Lexington, Tilford & Barclay and had been for some years past in New York doing I learn a large & lucrative business. John McCauley done a large business in the Grocery line after having carried on with success for some years the Manufacture of Rope & Bagging at his farm 1 1/2 miles from town on Russell's Road, but subsequently met with considerable losses. He married a daughter of Mrs. Elisabeth B. Coleman and left several daughters & a large residence on Maxwell St. beyond Limestone.

John G. Dudley & John Carty as partner Dudley & Carty done a very large business Wholesale & Retail Grocers, from the year ______. John Carty also acquiring a handsome fortune in the Grocery business afterwards alone, and continuing a very extensive business in his new 3 story Warehouse lower part of Leavy's corner Mill & Water streets—the lot bought of D.A. Sayre about 1858 & the Store erected by himself.

John B. Wilgus, afterwards, with Hartnet, J.B. Wilgus & Co. sold a large amount of Groceries at their store s. side of Main Street about 4 doors from Mill,—then a Private Bank, in all very successful built a large 3 story block Main Street N. side 3 doors from Mill; and an elegant residence, in place of Mrs. Robt. Parker's on Short Street.

William Swift & Stephen Swift brothers from New England Grocers on Cheapside, came to Lexington and commenced their business in 1815. They discontinued on the year ____ Stephen having made some successful speculations in property in the City of Chicago retired from business. Willm. became Mayor of the City in the year _____ and held that position several years, and not engaging again in business. Men of good talents and reputation.

(89)
David Castleman a gentleman of the first respectability, came from Woodford to Lexington and engaged in the Mercantile business in the year 1809 or 1810 at first with his brother in law Gabriel Tandy, Tandy & Castleman, afterwards in his own name, and afterwards with Andrew McClure a worthy and esteemed citizen, Castleman & McClure, and afterward with Terence Cooney also a much esteemed citizen, Castleman & Cooney, doing business in a house bought or built by himself till the year ____ Among others Mr. Castleman was a warm friend of James McChord assisted in the building of the Church, though at that time not a Member of it. His first wife was daughter of the hon. John Breckinridge but she died soon. He became the owner of part of the Cabell's Dale estate partly by buying out some of his brothers in law resided in the country the greater part of his time and married Miss V. Harrison a cousin of his first wife daughter of Robt. C. Harrison Sr. by whom he had a large and interesting family of sons and daughters, building a handsome and costly residence on his farm in the year 1838-9. He bought out from other heirs of Mr. H. in part and owned Mr. Harrison's fine farm of 600 acres on N. Elkhorn, which he sold a short time before his death dying of a painful disease in the year 1851 leaving his wife and children a moderate estate after the payment of He was for some years before his death an Elder in Horeb Church near his residence. Though of a quick and passionate temper Mr. Castleman lived and died without reproach.—

George Trotter Senr. from Staunton Augusta County, Va. and younger brother of Col. James Trotter came to Lexington and Commenced business as a merchant in the year 1794 and had as partner his brother in law T. Scott firm of Trotter & Scott. They were very attentive to business and Mr. T. for a long series of years was a popular and agreeable merchant, of soft and kind and amiable manners. For some years he carried on business in his own name, at one time Geo. Trotter & Son., and Trotter & Tilford & Tilford Scott & Trotter. They sold a large amount of goods. the various firms had two stores adjoining, and at one time for some years Mr. Scott in Philadelphia—the firm there Scott Trotter & Tilford. His own firm in his own house in which his principal business had been done failed and he wound up his business with considerable loss about the year 1830 to 33. His dwelling house & store was a large three story brick building on Main Street replaced in part by the Store used at present by Mr. Adams—Mr. T. had a large and amiable family. The oldest daughter Mary was married to John Tilford, the second Rebecca to Jeptha Dudley of Frankfort—his 2d. wife and the 3d. Margaret, to Leslie Combs. Esqr.

(90)
G.T.'s sons were James Trotter Jr., Preston Trotter, Franklin, Alexander S., George and Harvey. Franklin was my own age and had very largely my esteem. He was made a partner with his father in 1817 or 1818 but died in Augusta Georgia where he had gone for his health in the year ____. Franklin, George & Harvey died of Consumption. Preston removed to Virga. was twice married but no family was a member & esteemed elder of the Presbyterian Church—James married in Jessamine Co. and taught school, and with his family returned to Virginia a few years before his decease. Alexr. S. was an Agent for several years in New Orleans for the Northn. Bk. of Ky. was taken with consumption and died at the residence of his nephew John B. Tilford near Lexn. in the 63^d. year of his age. James & Preston were over 70 years of age at their decease. Geo Trotter Senr. was a man of liberality and Christian benevolence. He was never backward in contributing toward purposes of improvement and the public welfare. He died in about 73d. year of his age.

Wm. Smith had been a successful hatter in Lexington, and about the years 1810 or 11 embarked in selling goods he had taken as his partner Henry Von Phal, who was acquainted with business. After a short season in business here they removed to Saint Louis and found it profitable. the firm was Smith and Von Phal. I have understood each party had become wealthy Smith sent his son Jack to Philadelphia to buy a stock of goods as long ago as 1815 or 16.

Henry Bell possessed of fine talents for business came to Lexington from Baltimore about the year 1832 bringing with him a stock of goods. He took as a partner Garland B. Hale they carried on the business, mainly retail, for several years and dissolved. Mr. Bell by degrees enlarged his business until before he closed his Store on Main Street the selling goods by Wholesale was his principal business, and in it he was eminently successful. His sons have been established by him in St. Louis, and are very successful. Perhaps no Lexington Merchant has made and saved an equal amount with Mr. Bell and the same time confined himself so strictly to the line of his business. He resides at present 1874 at his residence near town built by Thos. Smith esqr. and may be considered as having retired from business.

G.B. Hale continued the Retail business & at one time took his brother Abraham Hale into partnership the business proved unprofitable & Mr. Hale has mostly acted as Clerk & Salesman for others.

Dudley M. Craig for some years a successful & respectable merchant, afterwd with J.M. Elliott, Craig & Elliott, then alone, but left a very small property at his decease in the year ____

James M. Elliott has devoted himself to the Retail business for a number of years but after seasons of very extensive sales, and some changes may be considered to have, like many others, laboured long to little purpose.—I have made my list of Lexington Merchants longer and in some instances came down to a later period than I intended. Other matters are at least as well entitled to attention.

(90)
Col. George Trotter Jr. second son of Col. James Trotter was a handsome man, of fine personal appearance, ardent as a patriot and decided in his opinions. He possessed those qualities that commanded a large share of popularity. On the breaking out of the War with Great Britain in the year 1812 he raised and commanded a Volunteer regiment, the 42d. in the North Western Army. This regiment raised in Lexington was distinguished for its ardor and patriotism, as well as for its losses in battle. As an evidence of its high standing, a brass Drum taken at the Battle of the Thames in Upper Canada 5^th October 1813, with this inscription was presented by General Harrison and Governor Shelby, "to Col. George Trotter, for the 42d. Regiment, Kentucky Militia as a testimony of its patriotism and good conduct, and for having furnished more volunteers than any other Regiment." He served in that Campaign as a Brigadier General. No individual in Lexington perhaps enjoyed more the love and popular esteem of his friends and fellow citizens. He had the proof of it in being sent to represent them at the State Legislature—He was married to Elizabeth Pope sister of the hon John Pope and had two sons John P. and James, the latter after killing Chas. Wickliffe in a duel became insane & died in the lunatic Asylum. I have a fine Portrait of him by Jouett, now hanging up in our parlour which was painted for his brother Saml. It is a very life like portrait. Another portrait of my brother Laurence Leavy, was painted by Mr. Jouett for me just before he went to New Orleans in 1822, which Mr. Jouett copied for Major Berry, but is now the property of my brother in law A.F. Hawkins.

Leonard Wheeler first came to Lexington in the employment of J.B. Borland from Boston in 1816 having been unfortunate in business in the city of Richmond Va., having failed there; after remaining with Mr. Borland until his death, he went along with George Chambers who was an assistant at the same time to Mr. Borland to the store of Elisha I. Winter, both employed as salesmen, Winter was his own book keeper, and after a length of time discovered his dissatisfaction, and fastening his suspicions in Wheeler went to Richmond & procured old claims on Wheeler and pursued him here in the U.S. court. But no man stood fairer than Wheeler with all his acquaintances in Lexington and all believed Winter vindictive, and, without cause in his persecution of Wheeler. George Chambers who owned with his family at the time a handsome property in Woodford in this neighborhood where he is well known and highly esteemed, is at present a man of wealth & family in Jacksonville, Illinois, has expressed to me the highest esteem for Mr. Wheeler and belief in the total injustice & untruth of Winter's charges. He says there was another clerk in the store at the time Thomas Curry who had by no means so high a place in his esteem as Mr. Wheeler (Chambers was for years after with Love & Berryman). In his residence of nearly fifty years in Lexington I may safely say no man was more generally esteemed as a man of integrity and general benevolence than Mr. Wheeler. He transacted a considerable amount of business for many years through the name of his brother Abel Wheeler. He sold Hatters Trimmings, paper & occupying the same store of N. & H. Shaw. He showed great kindness to poor worthy colored men, and as a disinterested Agent, often served his friends at home and abroad. He was a valuable useful member of society in Lexington having the friendship and esteem of many of the best inhabitants of the place. I have made particular mention of him in my article in the Lexington Library. He has long enjoyed the esteem and friendship of my brother in law A.F. Hawkins and of Madison C. Johnson, and my own I have been indebted to him for friendly offices.

(91)
Dr. Frederick Ridgley one of our earliest and most respected Physicians and Citizens came very early to take up his abode in Lexington bought property here and commenced the practice of his profession. He married a sister of Peyton Short Esqr. and had quite an interesting family. His eldest daughter Jane became the wife of Rev. Mr. Graham, and the younger, Lucy, of Dr. John F. Henry Member of Congress at the time from Hopkinsville but after as M.D. a resident for some years in Cincinnati. O. but for a number of years past of Burlington, Iowa where he died in 1873. The oldest son Greenberry W. Ridgeley, graduated at Princeton Seminary and became a Minister in the Episcopal Church having his home at present in Philada. or New York, the younger Wm. S. Ridgeley M.D. after a residence of a number of years in Cincinnati an elder in the Presbyterian church and no man more esteemed, is at present I think in Iowa. Dr. Ridgeley had at one time as his partner Dr. Richd. Pindell and afterwards took into partnership Dr. Thomas P. Satterwhite who was very attentive highly esteemed & popular as a Physician. Beside his town property—Dr. R's last residence was N.W. corner High & Upper Street—he had also about a hundred acres a farm or Out lots commencing on Broadway near to where the Central Rail Road crosses it, running back on W. side of that street as far back as Col. Patterson's line. The Dr. was one of the first Medical Professors in Transylvania.

Dr. Samuel Brown, one of the esteemed Professors of the Medical College came to Lexington about 1795. He kept an Apothecary Store about 1800 or after it in addition to his Practice. Dr. B. was a handsome man of very fine person and appearance, of polished manners and address. He was an accomplished and agreeable lecturer, and was a highly acceptable professor to the classes, during a continuance of his stay in the University. I Held him in very high personal esteem, and was indebted to him on his trip for the College to Europe for bringing me from Paris a small box of books ordered.—He was a younger brother of our distinguished citizens the hon. John and James Brown.

Dr. Benjamin W. Dudley who was the family physician of my father, of Mr. Saml.Trotter my father in law, of my Uncle Robt. A. Gatewood, and myself for a number of years, was, beside his world wide fame as a Surgeon, held by us all in the highest esteem as a man and physician. He was too our friend, and we all know him well. He was the leading Professor in the Medical College—the Professor of Anatomy & Surgery—and was a principal attraction to the young men of the South at least in the earlier part of its history. And he took every pains and means to render his services valuable in his power. Among other things he established a hospital of his own

(92)
under the care of a trusty and valuable citizen and his excellent lady (very highly esteemed by Aunt Lucy Gatewood & of same church) Mr. Robert Beaty. Here patients from abroad of difficult and extreme cases, from the fame and reputation he enjoyed in certain diseases—especially for stone in the bladder—were brought, that he might the more readily attend them and perform the requisite operations. Dr. Dudley as a man and citizen was active and liberal, and hospitable, especially to strangers. He was married to Miss Anna Short, the mother of his sons Dr. Chas. Wilkins Dudley, & Wm. Ambrose Dudley Esqr.

Dr. James Fishback, the immediate medical instructor of Dr. Dudley, and to whom his Medical graduating thesis was addressed, was one of the earliest appointed Professors in the Medical Department, though of very short duration, was a prominent citizen of Lexington for many years. He was a very handsome and fine looking man and of very pleasing address. He had a very active and enquiring mind. The practice of his profession was early discontinued, and he applied his mind to theology, and became a preacher in the Baptist church; differing in some respects from the regular Baptist church, he was a principal subscriber to a Brick Baptist church erected on Mill Street nearly opposite the College in which he ministered for some years, and preached to two churches of that denomination in the country, but finally, especially after a visit of Alexr. Campbell to Lexington and Kentucky, changed very materially his views. I always thought the Dr. evangelical & liberal.—He wrote a Volume on Philosophy, mainly intended as a reply to the publication of Dr. Joseph Buchanan, on the same subject Buchanan's Views were sceptical and Antichristian Fishback's a vindication of Christianity. Neither of the works became popular reading. He also published a small volume of Religious Essays. Dr. Fishback was highly esteemed in his long residence in Lexington as a citizen, and as a man. His first wife to whom he was a very few years married, was the daughter of Col. Wm. Christian and niece of Patrick Henry. His last who survived him was the daughter of Govr. Isaac Shelby and her fourth husband. I had an intimate acquaintance with Dr. Fishback and with Mrs. Fishback for many years, and had with him the most friendly relations.

Dr. Charles Caldwell, who as a Writer and Orator was one of the leading Professors of the Faculty, came here from the City of Philadelphia, had already gained some distinction there by his writings, attained a considerable popularity among the students. His manner and address were imposing and his conversation showed a rich fund of knowledge with a happy fluency

(93)
of expression. Dr. Caldwell was a voluminous writer, a very laborious Student, a great reader and a man of extensive learning, and certainly the means of drawing many Students of Medicine to Transylvania. He was a native of North Carolina and received his education there—Dr. Caldwell published a Life of Genl. Greene; was the author of some Lives of American Statesmen in the American edition of Brewster's Edinburgh Encyclopedia, of many Essays in the Port Folio Phila. 1809-20 and of many other beside Medical Writings for many years.

Dr. Daniel Drake was a Professor of distinguished talent and genius, a Native of Kentucky, but early a citizen and long a resident of Cincinnati. He had begun to be well known as a writer, and as a successful student. His picture of Cincinnati has been published and he showed himself a man of philosophical enquiry and research. The Students spoke highly of his Lectures, and the amount of instruction they received from him. He was acute and logical in debate, as well as discursive, from his well stored mind. He commanded the admiration and esteem of the community and the public. He was certainly an original genius and a most successful Student.

Dr. Willm. H. Richardson, son of Esqr. John C. Richardson of Fayette, was an esteemed practitioner of Medicine, of standing in the community, and was universally considered in the University and out of it specially well instructed and qualified for the department he was called to fill (Obstetrics & Diseases of Woman & Children) and was a popular and agreeable man.

Dr. Charles W. Short was an excellent Physician of some years practice in Hopkinsville and afterwards in his residence in Lexington. He early turned his attention by taste and inclination to the study of the Materia Medica; and applying a well cultivated and educated mind to it made great proficiency in it, so that no man in all the western country was so well qualified to teach it. I think he gave universal satisfaction in his chair. I knew him well as a fellow student in College, and particularly well in his long stay in Lexington with his very amiable family. I considered him highly respectable as a Physician and one of the best of men.

Dr. Lunsford P. Yandell, from Tennessee who was considered in some sort of protege of Dr. Caldwell, who was much attached to him and very prominent in bringing him forward, who although the youngest member of the faculty I considered one of the brightest, having no doubt, from the talents and genius he displayed, he would one day distinguish himself as a writer and lecturer, Mrs. Yandell whom he brought with him was a charming member of our Society. I saw a good deal of him while here, and held him in very high esteem. When about to leave Lexington I felt under some obligations to him, for giving me the preference in the Sale of a valuable lot adjoining my farm at the same price it had cost him $100 per acre nineteen acres. I am happy to know that as a diligent student and writer Dr. Yandell has well kept up his early promise to the present hour, and that he has the sin-

(94)
gular happiness of seeing two sons David & Lunsford P. Yandell Jr. established as leading Professors & Lecturers of Surgery & Medicine in Louisville.

Dr. John Esten Cooke from Virginia had considerable learning as a Physician and a very high standing as a Practitioner of Medicine and had become favorably known by his work on Fever when he came to accept his appointment as a Professor. He was also a polemical writer on theological subjects as a strenuous supporter of Episcopalianism. His standing was very high among the students.

Dr. James Conquest Cross I considered from a good opportunity of judging one of the most talented and brilliant of all the young men that emanated from the School of Transylvania—He aspired to a Professorship, and would have made a fine lecturer. He distinguished himself as the Author of several Medical Prize Essays, and an eloquent Pamphlet on the establishing another Medical College. I have lately presented a copy of this pamphlet with others to the Lexington Library.

Note—1 The father of Dr. Cross, John Cross was a small retailer in Lexington at an early day. He owned and occupied the old log or frame house on the site now occupied by Bassett & Emmal with their handsome Shoe Store. Yet the most of these Teachers of Medicine, who had contributed to the renown of the Transylvania School, concluded to go in a body to Louisville, to establish one there; believing that the advantage of that city as a location were all sufficient to give it the preference over Lexington.

From the manner in which the University had suffered in popular opinion in consequence of a prejudice against the Acting President Dr. Blythe since the year 1812 and a belief that it was aimed by the Trustees and Faculty to be guided and governed with Sectarian views a scrutinizing enquiry was instituted by the Legislature of 1815 through a Committee of which F. Johnson, Esqr. was Chairman. It was productive of a spirited response in pamphlet form from the Trustees from the pen of Rev. James McChord at that time one of their number. To shew the impossibility of Political or Sectarian bias directing the operations of the Board They subjoin a List of the Trustees appointed and elected at various periods from the year 1798 to the fall of 1815 which list is before me now, and of Professors during the same period. The following gentlemen were the acting Trustees of Transylvania University at that time: Alexr. Parker, James Trotter, Andrew McCalla, James Maccoun, Thomas Wallace, Charles McPheters, John McDowell, John W. Hunt, Edm Bullock, Wm. T. Barry, Chas. Humphreys, Robert Stuart, Frederick Ridgeley, Lewis Sanders, Ro. M. Cunningham, James Prentiss, James McChord, J.R. Witherspoon, Wm. H. Richardson, John D. Clifford and John Tilford.

Doctor Horace Holley was elected President of Transylvania University on the 11^th Novr 1815.

Rev. Robt. H. Bishop, and Mr. E. Sharp, were elected Professors in Transylvania University on 29^th April 1815 and the Rev. James Blythe on the 4^th June following 11^th Nov. 1815 Doctor Cooper of Carlisle was elected Professor of Chemistry Minerealogy Natural History &c.—Drs. Dudley, Coleman Rogers, Samuel

(95)
Brown, Wm. H. Richardson, & Chas. W. Short to other professorships—and John Pope Prof. of Laws.

It will appear that Dr. Holley was first elected to the Presidency as early as Novr. 1815.

The Rev. Dr. John B. Romeyn of New York had been corresponded with by the board with a view of taking the appointment but declined. The letter of the Trustees written by McChord a copy of which I have bears the date Lexington June 10^th 1815. Mr. McChord had been elected a Trustee on Octr. 8^th 1814 on Mr. Clay's vacating his seat. My father was a Trustee from Apl 1809 to his resignation Augt 1815. He was reelected in _____ and continued till my appointment in the year 1821, and I continued a member of the Board for several years after Mr. Holley left.—

Rev. Horace Holley was again elected by the Board in the Spring of 1818 came to visit the place with a view of forming his opinion whether to accept in the Summer of the same year, all that the Board & the friends of Transylvania had in the meantime heard of him only confirmed them in a wish to obtain a man of his renowned eloquence and intellectual ability. His reception here led him to decide before he left Kentucky to accept. In August he received a dismissal from his church the Hollis street church in Boston. In October he gave his farewell discourse, and came immediately to Kentucky to commence the laborious duties of his office. (Note page 194) Though coming from the large body of Congregational Christians of New England. He was scarcely seated in his chair when he was assailed with bitterness by certain Presbyterian Clergymen as a Unitarian of _____ and Arian sentiments in fact classed with infidels and corrupters of the youth of the land; but he was indefatigable in the discharge of his duties and the fulfillment of the discharge of those branches of study which it was his office to fill. The selection of professors and general arrangement of the course with his occasional Addresses gained him the esteem and confidence of the friends of the College. The Greek professor John Everett, brother of the hon. Edward Everett, had the mental endowments of the family, he was an acceptible professor, and a good speaker and writer. In connection with the accomplished professor P.D. Mariano an Italian exile, and transient resident and Teacher of Music, he started a literary journal called the "Journal of Belles Lettres," which was however discontinued after a few months. The Trustees proceeded at once to build and complete an elegant College edifice, in

(96)
front of the old building, which continued to be used by the President as his residence where for a series of years he received his friends and patrons of the institution and dispensed a liberal hospitality—indeed such as had never been known in the previous history of the University and of Lexington. Mrs. Mary Holley from Newhaven Cont. was by her education and truly natural and amiable character well calculated to fill the situation in which she was placed—Mrs. Holley's name was Austin, the sister of Stephen F. Austin's father, the founder to a great extent of Texas. This circumstance led Mrs. Holley subsequently to visit Texas and write a small volume upon it.—The University under Dr. Holley's presidency all its departments Academical Medical and Law deservedly surpassed all its former fame. He enjoyed the enthusiastic admiration and love of the young men; and those graduates which went from his instructions were the liberal heralds of his name. Having enjoyed the esteem and respect of Mr. & Mrs. Holley during all their residence, and having the same high estimation if his talents and mental and moral excellence with which I was first struck at the earliest acquaintance I have pleasure in bearing my testimony thereto in this manuscript—together with having always marked this trait in him of the strictest integrity in all his business relations, and punctuality to all his engagements, and appointments of every kind, as much as any individual I ever knew. In this respect I do not know that he had an equal among us. But the opposition to him and the persecution of him not only continued but was increased. He not only attended large parties but unwittingly on one or two occasions the racecourse. This I think proved to be the crowning offence. Indeed in one of my walks with him a short time before his leaving he thought that in this matter he was indiscreet. The opposition on this head amounted almost if not quite to a public sentiment. The estimate of Rev. Mr. Pierpont of Boston in his pathetic and eloquent

(97)
discourse delivered in the church in which Mr. Holley had ministered is not at all exaggerated, in my opinion, he says "It is principally and emphatically as an intellectual man, that the friends of Mr. Holley would choose to remember him and that he would choose to be remembered by them. It was mind, the apprehending, combining, reasoning faculty; it was mind, in the gift of which the dominion was given to man over brute beasts, and in the greater powers of which there is given to one man dominion over another; it was this which gave to the subject of the present discourse all the preeminence over others which he was ambitious to acquire in life, and for which he would be ambitious to be remembered after death. And were I called upon to state in what particulars the mind of Holley had the advantage, when compared with most of even the leading minds of his age, I should say, in promptness, and in power: promptness in apprehending, in comparing, in combining: in following out another's train of reasoning, or in tracing out a course for himself; promptness in summoning up around him to wait his bidding, the forces by which, in polemical or metaphysical warfare, his own citadel was to be defended, or the entrenched fortress of his adversary stormed; promptness with which he would bring hypotheses, analogy, and stubborn fact into his service, and marshall and display them; and power by which, when he had gathered all his forces around him, and glanced his keen eye along the array, he would move then on towards one point, and wield them as with one effort, and throw all their mass upon the one point selected for assault. Nor was the promptness of our friend less conspicuous in acquiring knowledge from books and from its other sources, than it was in giving it a direct application when acquired. By what must have appeared to most men as a cursory glance over the leaves of a book, he would come into a more thorough and practical possession of its contents, than many others by a repeated and diligent reading; and what he was thus prompt to acquire, he was at all times equally so to impart, in public and in private, in the great assembly, and in social circles—to impart even with a readiness and a copiousness which sometimes gave occasion to his friends to complain of a redundance while in his company rather than a dearth. The accomplishment by which Holley was especially distinguished and in respect to which he stood unquestionably the first, I do not say in his profession merely, but in any profession in the present age, and in our own country; an accomplishment implying literary wealth

(98)
and intellectual power—was extemporaneous, polular eloquence. Other scholars may have written more elegantly than he; other orators may be patiently holding communion with the mighty dead, in the solitude of the library, and by the midnight lamp, have brought out a discourse, which, tried by the canons of criticism, and given to the world from the press, might be transmitted through a longer series of ages, and be more admired for its 'lucid order' and for the finished elegance of its composition. But if I am asked wherein, or where, or when there has been, the man in this country, who at a single hour's notice, would come into a great assembly more promptly, and sooner charm the multitude to silence, or chain them longer to their seats, and move them more absolutely at his will, by the power of his eloquence, I must answer, that I do not know. An elegant form, a graceful action, a countenance beaming at once with the expression of earnestness and intelligence, an elocution ready and perfectly distinct, though sometimes rapid, and always energetic, a manner graceful and full of dignity; these natural advantages, super added to his intellectual powers, enabled him to become, what by discipline and culture, he made himself, probably the most accomplished and efficient pulpit orator that our country had produced."

I take from the same production the following short biographical sketch. Horace Holley the fourth minister of this church, and first President of Transylvania University, after its reorganization in 1818, was born in Salisbury, Connecticut, in February 1781. He was the son of Luther Holley, and was one of six brothers, one of whom Myron Holley was Canal commissioner of the State of New York under DeWitt Clinton and to all of whom the creative spirit, both physically and intellectually, had imparted largely of his best gifts. He was graduated at Yale College, 1803, with one of the highest honours of that institution, at that time under the presidency of Dr. Dwight. Immediately after leaving college Mr. Holley entered upon the study of the law, with Peter W. Redcliff, esqr. a highly reputable lawyer of New York; with whom, however he did not remain many months before he gave up his flattering prospects of distinction at the bar, and returning to New Haven in 1804 entered upon his theological studies with president Dwight, by whose counsels he was probably not a little influenced, in determining to change his professional course. Early in the year 1806, soon after he had completed his course of theological studies preparatory to the Christian ministry,

(99)
he was ordained as pastor of the parish of Greenfield Hill, in Fairfield County, Connecticut; the place which Dr. Dwight had held previous to his acceptance of the presidency at New Haven. After a short ministry there, he was regularly dismissed from the charge at Greenfield, by a convocation of ministers meeting at that place on the thirteenth of September, 1808, from which ecclesiastic body Mr. Holley received a Certificate of his regular dismission, in which they declare their entire approbation, of his ministerial character and recommend to the grace of God and the churches as a gospel minister. "On the 8^th of the following March 1809, Mr. Holley was installed pastor of this church, in which office he continued till 1818 &c."— A considerable part of Mr. Pierpont's Discourse I have preserved in my Scrap Book pages 232 and 233. I accompanied Mr. and Mrs. Holley a few miles from town on their departure from Lexington in March 1827. He left with a view of embarking for Europe with some young gentlemen of whom he was to have the instruction and care for several years. His hopes however from this quarter were blasted and the expedition was given over.

Another door of useful and honorable employment for his splendid talents was opened to his hopes in the immediate vicinity of New Orleans; before entering which however, he determined to spend two or three months with his little family in the Northern States. He embarked for New York on 22d. But he had remained too long on the fertile, but too fatal banks of the Mississippi. A plague that falls upon so many of the children of N. England—the pestilence that walketh upon these shores in darkness, and waited on those waters at noon day, had marked our friend for its victim. When but a few days at sea, the yellow fever shewed itself on board. One after another fell before the destroyer. It was a scene of suffering and of horrible fear. So intense was the heat, that the deck was the couch of the sick and the well alike. By night as well as by day, a canvas sheet alone shielded them from the sun and storm. She who, for so many years was with you my brethren in your daily walks, and you weekly worship, was the only one of her sex on board. She was herself wasting and withering under the dreadful malady—One fellow sufferer breathed his last at her bedside in the dead of night in the midst of a thunder tempest. He who had watched over with a husband's love, and with a father's fears, had trembled for his son, felt at last the blow upon his own brain. His reason reeled under the shock. His noble form fell down when that fell down which was its glory. The mighty in form and mind, wrestled strenuously, wrestled madly with death; but what is the strength of man when wrestling with that dread Angel of the Lord? On the morning of the 31^st

(100)
our friend died; and at evening of the same day, his remains were let down into the deep.—But an Almighty hand cut him down in his eagle career, and his light went out like a star on the solitary waters." —Of Mr. Holley's Lectures and my opinion of them at the time of their delivery I give an extract or two from Letters to my brother Laurence then at N. Orleans Jany. 25—1823 I write "Mr. Holley's evening Lectures on the Science of Mind are the most constant feasts to those who have pleasure either in the philosophical enquiry of their thoughts feelings and emotions, or in interesting oratorical display. His distinguished talents and acquirements appear in the most favorable light, for he is but figuring in a department which has been the study and the pride of his life. You were acquainted with his admiration of the late Thomas Brown, and with the value he set upon the 'Lectures on the Philosophy of the Mind'; —in his introductory Lecture he took occasion to pay an eloquent tribute to the genius and talents of this professor.—Without following so far the plan or course of Brown in his Lectures, Mr. H. approves of his Classification of the Phenomena of Mind, and will no doubt turn to much account a great deal of his matter. But as yet his manner and order have been entirely his own—embracing some original and striking views, which I should be very glad you could have heard, and including a rich variety of the most happy illustrations of which you know he is extremely fertile."—Again March 1^st 1823.

"Mr. Holley's exposition of Brown's Philosophy, and his own, concludes with this afternoon's Lecture. And I regret that they are so soon over. The talents and acquirements of this extraordinary man have struck me in this course of Lectures with more admiration than ever. I have not time or room to tell you how much I have been delighted and edified, week after week, in listening to him: and now when the course is concluding how readily I allow him a place among the great and original geniuses of the day, in common with whom notwithstanding the readiness and profusion with which he communicated his

(101)
knowledge new fountains and new sources seem all at hand and ready to spring forth on the occasion as at the call of a Master."—

I wrote to Mr. Holley in the early part of April 1827. Received one from Mrs. Holley Apl. 20^th and one from himself May 7^th 1827, with his plans and expectations in N. Orleans, where he had determined upon founding a College to be entirely under his control. His friends there both French and American were immediately to set about the work of subscription and endowment.—

Note from page 8. Col. Abraham Bowman first came to Kentucky in company with his brother John in the year 1775, Col. John B. settled in Lincoln now Mercer Co. and was appointed one of the first Justices of the County of Kentucky in the year 1777 and the first Col. of the Militia in the same year. Col. A. Bowman informed me that he bought his own valuable estate on South Elkhorn where he resided till his death (about 1837-8) in the year 1777 of Col. Philip Love of Virginia, at the rate of Seventy five pounds Virginia money per thousand acres and this thousand acre survey he was three years in Kentucky before he could find the corners, and they were found for him by col. Levi Todd the County clerk and this thousand acres measured fourteen hundred—as was often the case in these early surveys. Col. A. Bowman remained a short time with his family in Lincoln before his removal to Fayette, and was on officer in several excursions against the Indians. The sons of Col. B. were Abraham my uncle by marriage of Aunt Nancy Gatewood who yet survives at the age of ninety four (1876). John of Mercer decd. within the last 2 or 3 years, Willm,. and George H. who are both deceased, and two daughters Mrs. Woolfolk & Mrs. Jos. Bowman. These two splendid estates of Col. John Campbell and Col. Abm. Bowman cost their owners the one one shilling per acre, the other twenty five cents at the time of the purchase.

Settlement and Preemption Land claims explained in Butler's Histy of Ky. pages 99 and 100. Commissioners were appointed by the State of Va. their first meeting opened at St. Asaph's 13^th Octr 1779. The first claim passed in favor of Isaac Shelby to a Settlement and Preemption, for raising—crop of corn in the country in 1776. A Settlement, consisted in an allowance of "four hundred acres or such smaller quantity, as the party may choose to include

(102)
this improvement or cultivation, granted to any person, who should, at any time before the 1^st of January 1778 have really and bona fide settled himself or his family, upon any waste, and unappropriated lands in the Western waters, to which no other hath any legal right or claim." For this grant two dollars and a quarter per hundred acres, were exacted by the State.—

A Preemption was nothing more than a right (which every person entitled to a settlement possessed) to pay the State price for any quantity of land adjoining this settlement, not exceeding One thousand acres. These latter claims were to be paid for, at the rate of Forty dollars per hundred acres; &c.

The emigration to the State that year 1779 was considerable, and these liberal terms were embraced by many valuable settlers.

(103)
Active citizens of Lexington for the year 1800, appended to a printed Constitution for Articles of Association for the Government of the Union Fire Company, 14 articles in all. March 1^st. 1800.

John Bradford, James Trotter, George Anderson, Nathan Burrows, James Lorry, MacGregor, John Jordan Jr., John M. Boggs, Wm. Macbean, Thos. Scott, William Ross, James Weir, Benj. Foley, William West, William Leavy, Thos Hawthorn, Thos Reed, Henry Marshal, Andrew Holmes, Jos Boswell, John Coons, John Downing, Nicholas Bright, Peter J. Robert, Nath. Lowrey, Mathew Shryock, Daniel Starke, Saml. Trotter, Jona. Holmes, Patrick McMans, Jeremiah Murphy, James Rose, George Brownlee, Geo. A. Weber, John Hall, Edward West, John Cross, Richd. Smyth, Robt. Holmes, George Adams, Danl. Weibel, Martin Hougland, Jacob Keiser, P.D. Robert, Christ. Keiser, C. Freeman, Jacob Claar, Wm. Huston, J.P. Wagnon. 49 names

The original printed Handbill of the Constitution, with my Letters 1874 (The names underscored all personally known and remembered by me W.A. L. (1877)

The Transylvania Botanic Garden Association started by Subscription procured by C.S.Rafinesque in 1824 Robt. Wickliffe elected President, and John M. McCalla, Jas. M. Pike, Wm. H. Richardson, Wm. A. Leavy and Joseph Ficklin Directors, James Harper, Treasurer, and C.S. Rafinesque Superintendent. The scite chosen was a ten acre lot leased of Joseph R. Megowan opposite the Megowan residence east Main Street. The amount of Cash received from the Subscribers, the first year a few hundred dollars was mostly paid out for materials, trees and arbor the same year. W.A. Leavy succeeded Mr. Harper as Treasurer May 1825. Among his papers is Mr. Rafinesque's Plan submitted to the Directors including the draft of an Octagon building, to be built of brick, 25 feet each side, three of the rooms to be for Green-House, Museum, Library and seed room—Specifications made out in full for the cost of all materials and labor, the whole amounting to the sum of Five thousand dollars, also his list of sums

(104)
owing by subscribers amounting to Nine hundred and sixty five dollars $965. not one dollar of which has ever been paid. The remainder of the Cash on hand paid out for rent of lot, plants, tools and labor of hands under direction of Superintendent closed up the concern 26^th July 1828, after about four years existence—Though learned and enthusiastic in Botany and the Sciences he professed Profr. Rafinesque was esteemed generally a visionary man He was wholly unsuccessful in all his undertakings and left Lexington with scarcely any means,—subscriptions were raised for him by his friends on his leaving.

From the copy of an original letter of Daniel Boone to Col. Thos. Hart left in the Public Library of Kentucky at Louisville furnished me at my request by my friend Darwin A. Kean 1872

(verbatim ad literatim).

Col. Hartt & Rochester Hager Town.
Grate Conhowway July 30^th 1789.

Dear Col.
     After my best wishes to you and family also Col. Rochester I cannot help Reflecting a litel on the Down fall of gensagne We were a Litel unfurtent Last fall But I Doubt it will be worse this. But the Information Come to me in Tolerable good Time altho I had took in a good del Sir I wish to have a Later from you in Respect to my Horses as I am a good del Concarned a Bout Brother's Debt pray Wrigh me and Direct the Later to this place I am Sir With Respect

Your Very Omble Servent
Daniel Boone
 

Col. Hartt & Rochester.
     I have before me a singular document, a printed Deed of Lease from the Trustees for the Transylvania Seminary for leasing certain lands belonging to the said Seminary of the one part and Edward Hockensmith of the County of Fayette and the state of Virginia of the other part The Trustees enumerated in the Deed are Benjn Logan, Levi Todd, John Campbell, David Rice, John Edwards, Robert Johnson, Christopher Greenup, John Crittenden, Willis Green, Jas. Garrard, Wm. Ward, Robert Todd, Thomas Lewis, Edward Payne, John Hawkins, Robt. Barr, Peyton Short, Ambrose Dudley, James Crawford, Thomas Young, John Coburn, John Bradford, William Morton, James Parker, and Nathan Wilson, also signed by Hugh Brent, Jr., John Cock, John McNair & Isaac Wilson 25 named 4 added not named—

(105)
The signatures of fourteen of the number are to the Deed. Its date 13^th Apl. 1792 for Lot known by its number 17, containing 117 acres of Land, calls to adjoin corners 3 other lots No 14, No 18, & No 16 on the waters of Hickman, known by the name of McKee's Survey—yielding and paying year by year, and every year, to the said Trustees and their successors for the use of said Seminary, the Annual rent of Three pounds four shillings, good and lawful money of Virginia and twelve bushels of wheat—engaging within 5 years from 1^st January 1791 to build on the said lot one dwelling house, that shall be at least equal to sixteen feet square, of hewn logs, frame, brick or stone work, shingled roof and stone or brick chimney, also a barn of at least the same dimensions, made of good timber; plant on the same premises an orchard containing at least 50 apple trees at the space of 60 feet apart, and one hundred peach trees at the space of forty feet apart, and will also properly clear and sew with some good meadow grass 5 85 acres of meadow, & rent commencing 1^st. January 1791 for and during the full term of the natural lives of Conrad Hockensmith, Henry Hockensmith and Isaac Hockensmith.
 

JAMES PRENTISS
SPECIMEN DEED OF LEASE BY TRUSTEES OF TRANSYLVANIA SEMINARY
OF SEMINARY LAND
___________________________

James Prentiss whose name I have mentioned on page 76 as a buyer of the stock of the Kentucky Insurance Company, and again at page 94 as one of the Trustees of the University, who along with revd. James McChord agreed in the election 11 Novr. 1815 of Dr. Horace Holley to the Presidency. I remembered to have heard at the time that he had suggested his name to the Board, and was probably the principal means of his appointment. He was perhaps the only member of the Board who had ever seen or heard Dr. Holley. There was no opposing voice that I have ever heard to his election.—Mr. Prentiss was a man of unparalelled business talents, and qualifications. The amount of business transacted by him in person seemed almost incredible. He was a citizen of Lexington for five or six years, and seemed always to take a lively interest in its prosperity. He had an amiable and elegant lady for his wife. His brother Thomas G. Prentiss & wife were also amiable and of a social turn. Mr. Prentiss was a liberal and hospitable man, in his general character, and a very handsome and portly man, of pleasant manners and an agreeable address—Personally I know nothing derogatory to his character, as a man of honour and a gentleman. After his failure in business he returned very soon to New York and Boston

(106)
where by way of Commission Agent he seemed to be doing an excellent business. I met with him and Mrs. Prentiss at a respectable boarding house or tavern in the City of New York after they left Kentucky.—I do not remember to have heard the amount Mr. Prentiss had invested in the large and extensive Woolen Manufactory (long since demolished and otherwise appropriated) and houses on the ground for tenant manufacturers, as also in Manchester, the village adjoining, but the whole sum must have been immense—the ground upon which the buildings were erected was bought of three of the McConnels and of Lewis Sanders and Richd. Higgins who had bought of Col. Robt. Patterson—1812-14, Mr. Prentiss left I think in 1818.

The name of John Cock signed as a Trustee of Transylvania Seminary page 104 reminds me that so conspicuous a citizen for those early times deserves a line in this memoir. The historian of Kentucky makes memorable mention of our respectable citizens of Fayette County. John Higbee who at his Mill, 6 miles from Lexington on South Elkhorn, made in 1785 the first flour made in the State; in like manner Mr. Cock made at his own mill the first flour made in Lexington, and not very long after him. Mr. Cock's Mill, which I remember perfectly well for a number of years, he built immediately below and very near where the trestle work of the Covington and Lexington Railroad passes over the Town Fork and had there his Millrace and dam, on what is now called after him "Cock's Street." He was a resident here certainly before 1790, and he added the Baking business, to his enterprise—furnishing to the citizens the first good loaf bread they had the opportunity to buy. His daughter Rebecca was a very handsome brunette, and married one of our highly respected and wealthy citizens Mr. John Hall. His second son Mr. John A. Cock, was a worthy citizen, and, after being in various occupations for some years in Lexington, removed to the southern part of the State. Another son carried on a hatter's shop and store with partners Cock, Trimble & Fowler. Mr. Cock was a highly esteemed citizen of Lexington for a number of years.—

(107) LEXINGTON LIBRARY
When the population of Lexington did not exceed fifteen or sixteen hundred in 1795-6 when the Fort which had been erected to defend its inhabitants from the Indians had not been discontinued more than 12 or 15 years a few of its inhabitants determined on the formation of a public library, for themselves and their families the Transylvania Seminary, and those of the public who would join them in partaking its advantages. Those who thus united in the object were mostly from the States of Virginia or Pennsylvania they were Robert Barr, John Bradford, John Breckinridge, James Brown, Richd. W. Downing, Thomas Hart, Thomas January, James Parker, Saml. Price, Frederick Ridgely, H. Toulmin and James Trotter. For this purpose they raised in a few days the sum of Five Hundred Dollars, which they forwarded for the purchase of books and in Jany. 1796 they came to hand four hundred volumes and were placed in the Seminary. In 1798 the College Library by the Union of Kentucky Academy and Transylvania Seminary was considerable increased. The Library was incorporated Nov. 29-1800 as "the Lexington Library." The following share holders were named in it, Thos. Hart senr., Jas. Morrison, John Bradford, James Trotter, John A. Seitz, Robert Patterson, John McDowell, Robert Barr, Willm. Macbean James Maccoun, Caleb Wallace, Fielding L. Turner, Saml. Postlethwait and Thomas T. Barr. At a general meeting of the Shareholders held at the house of John McNair on 1^st Saturday in 1801 a complete organization under the charter was effected by the election of a board of Directors. The first Librarian appointed was Andrew McCalla whose residence and Apothecary Shop was on N.E. corner Market & short Streets. Privilege being granted by the Fayette County Court in the year ____ for the erection of a Library building about 24 feet square on the N.W. corner of the Public Square the books were kept in their building on that Scite until the privilege was withdrawn by another county court after the occupancy there of a number of years. The Shareholders gradually increased in number and the public interest in the library yet the number of volumes in the year 1804 by printed catalogue was only seven hundred and eighty. By the proceeds of a Lottery for its benefit the Directors were enabled to add a number of valuable books in the years 1800 and 1810; and the number of volumes by printed catalogue in the year 1815 was Twenty five hundred and seventy three.

(108)
In connexion with the first formation of the Lexington Library it is a fact worthy of note, that the first Institution of this kind started in the City of Edinburgh, justly renowned for its Literary Institutions, supported with liberality, and, above all, for its University claims no earlier date than 1794 when the Edinburgh Subscription Library was established,—the formation by subscribers paying £12 each for membership and £1 per annum subscription afterwards.—Not 2 years before that of the Lexington Library.—See Article Edinh. in Encyclopedia Brittanica.

(108) LEXINGTON JUVENILE LIBRARY & LEXINGTON LIBRARY
From a very early age having a passion for reading in the year 1809 or 10 I was joined by half a dozen other boys 12 or 14 years of age in clubbing together out little stock of miscellaneous reading to form a Library Company after the example of the Lexington Library, which we called the Lexington Juvenile Library. By the earnest and zealous efforts of its founders it prospered.—At first the whole collection was placed in a moderate sized dry goods box, shelved,—the whole treasure could easily be carried by one of our number. Its rapid increase to Jany. 1813 may be seen from the following extract from my Annual Report published in the Reporter of January 30^th 1813. It was kept of course in private houses, and for several years by its excellent librarian the late William Houston Junr. of Maysville in a room in his father's house, (a back room on the first floor) on Main Street free of charge about half a dozen houses East from the Court House Square on the N. side on the lot of A. McCalla between the Court House Square and the Episcopal church. It was liberally patronized & continued rapidly to increase and contained eleven hundred and thirty five volumes; mostly an excellent selection of books when in April 1816 it was merged into the Lexington Library by a unanimous vote of the shareholders of each institution—the proposition first emanating from the Directors of the Lexington Library—Of the first founders of the Lexington Juvenile Library I am the only surviving member except Mr. John L. Smedley Bookseller and Apothecary of Harrodsburgh, then a resident of Lexington. (The record of the Proceedings of the Shareholders & Directors of this Library and the Librarian's issuing book to Shareholders were both consumed in the fire of 1854).

The Lexington Library in the year 1817 contained in all according to printed Catalogue, to that date, less than four thousand volumes—of this number the Encyclopedia Brittanica # 21 vols. was presented by an early citizen and merchant of Lexington Mr. Andrew Holmes about the # See p. 28 & 29 of A. Holmes and his gift, and of Wm. Tod, and John Jones.

Extract from a Report of Directors Lexington Juvenile Library
from Reporter Jany, 30^th 1813.

"The example of our senior citizens and a generous literary ambition first stimulated a few of the youths of Lexington to the formation of a library for their mutual culture and benefit.

About the middle of February 1812 it comprised about 60 volumes, commonly worn out duodecimos with about 25 or 30 shares each holding a share kept in a private house and formed by voluntary contribution of 2 vols. for each share; from the best estimate we are capable of forming was worth in books and some little money arising from contributions about $40. At a Meeting of Share holders the Library was altered into something more permanent, Directors were appointed, a constitution and by-laws were made for its regulations, and the number of shares increased considerably. The expenses of the library increasing it was necessary for the Director to use some method for increasing the funds and rendering the library more respectable. A Lottery was resorted to by them (as it had been by the Directors of the Lexington Library 2 or 3 years before) and with the assistance of a few citizens was carried into effect and drawn on the 1^st Septr. last —the gain of which exceeded expectations realising $307: Of this sum $190 was sent to Philadelphia to buy books $117 worth brought here, and 340 volumes in the library—63 octavos, 277 duodecimos, a handsome bookcase, a neat room, all debts paid, and $30 in the treasury;—making in the course of ten months an increase of 217 duodecimos 63 octavos and 53 Shareholders. "I made some handsome additions to it by purchase at the Sale of the Library of Henry Purviance Esq. in 1812-13 particularly of an excellent copy of the British Classical Essayists 30 or 40 vols.—From 1814 to 1816 it was kept in a neat accessible room a rented small frame house at 50$ pr. year on Market Street year 1800; and the Edinburgh Review ordered to be subscribed and paid for to the amount of $100 by Mr. James Ogilvie, from Virginia, proceeds of an Oration and Recitations delivered by him in Lexington in the year 1813. Other donations were presented but these were among the most conspicuous to that period. By the addition of the Sharers of the Juvenile Library the income was nearly doubled. Prominent Directors

(109)
of the Juvenile library were early admitted to a share in the management. I was elected one of the Directors in 1816. The principal Catalogue, a work of some labour for several months was made by two of the Directors in the room to which the Library was removed from the public square, Robert R. Barr and Wm. A. Leavy, in the year 1821. It was in a building occupied by M. Giron, afterwards by D.M.C. Payne, one door from the corner of Mill St., on the S.W. side of Short Street. The Catalogue was copied and prepared for the Press by an Amaneunsis, Mrs. Mentelle, at the cost of $25. It was published by Thomas Smith Autumn 1821 containing 172 pages 8vo. being classified according to subjects, with the titles commonly expressed in full; with the place and year of publication. The library at this time contained about ____ Volumes. It was a period of flourishing condition. Transylvania University was enjoying a prosperous career. In the month of January 1821 sixty eight sharers assembled to take part in the Annual Meeting. In the month of January 1822 forty five sharers were present at the organization of the meeting, seventy four came in subsequently and participated in the election of directors and other business of the meeting—making 119 who felt sufficient interest in the proceedings to be present. The Library continued to be kept in M. Giron's room until removed in 1824 to their purchase on Main Street. In the year 1823 the Directors procured by Subscriptions of Stock 50$ each the Sum of Three thousand dollars; (I was active in procuring this subscription and took 200$ of it myself,) with which they bought of James Haggins Esqre. the Kentucky Insurance Co. Bank building situated on Main Street N.E. side a few doors above the corner of Upper Street corner of an Alley, and paid the amount to him in full procuring a Deed 10^th April 1824. Shortly after, by Articles of Association, a union was made with the Lexington Atheneum, by which a room in the building was devoted to the purposes of that Institution, Newspapers, periodicals &c. This was a period of considerable promise; and this eligible and handsome scite was enjoyed with varied support from its friends by the Library for a number of years. The Support however gradually declined, until a period of darkness in its history, to which it is painful to advert. The falling off of Subscribers, by deaths and removals, and causes not adequately accounted for, obliged the Directors in the month of April 1841 to close the Library, temporarily, by making Sale of the Library building at cost, discharging all its debts, and accepting the liberal offer of one of the Board, Mr. Alvin Stephens of a room of a 3 story store of Messrs Stephens & Winslow, in Mill Street near corner of Main, until other arrangements could be made at a future and to be presumed no

(110)
distant day, when the Directors or Shareholders would demand its re-opening. This those liberal gentlemen gave us free of charge and the books were accordingly in boxes carefully stored there—the directors having ordered the Sale of the Library building by their Committee Leonard Wheeler and Alvin Stephens to Mr. John S. Hilton for the original cost of three thousand dollars.—The Annual Meeting of June 5 1841 held by permission in the Library Room of the Old Medical Hall corner of Church & Market Street, entrance at that time to the Room being on Church Street & the Room in the Second story was the first one in 47 years that their own Library room was closed from the use of its sharers and the public —Oct. 30 1843 the Directors made an order to endeavour to open the library and had a general meeting called.

In the month of Novemr 1843 the spacious room, formerly used by the Medical College for their Library, was granted by its owner for the temporary use of the library and accordingly fitted up with shelving and counter and arrangements were made by the Directors and others to procure by donation and purchase a sufficient number of Shares in the building stock, to give us a right jointly with the City of Lexington who were procuring the other part of the building for City Hall and City Clerk's office, to ownership in the property; which was partially accomplished.—Five hundred dollars were also raised by Sale of shares at $5 each by Subscribers, procured mostly by our indefatigable librarian Mr. Logue, for the purchase of some new books, and repair of old. The librarian entered first upon his duties in this room 30^th March and the Institution was once more thrown open to its Shareholders and the public on 1^st Saturday in May 1846. The additional Catalogue was published by W.A. Elder in 1852, containing 113 pages. It is classified and arranged like that of the one published in 1821, but without giving generally the full title and date, and place of publication. The number of volumes at this time in the library in both these Catalogues amounted to Eight thousand seven hundred and thirty four, Viz. in Duodecimo 4730, Octavo 3696, Quarto 308. At that time, by the aid of these two Catalogues, the contents of the Library might be seen at a glance. The Library was much injured and came near to being destroyed by the fire which consumed this building on 25^th July 1854. Happily by the habitual precaution of our Treasurer Mr. Leonard Wheeler in having a certain amount of the books insured against fire—the Directors received on 14^th October 1854 the sum of Three Thousand dollars, from Mr. James W. Cochran, Agent of Franklin Fire Insurance Co. of Philadelphia.

(111)
They immediately made purchase of the building on Jordan's row, of Mr. George W. Brand, for the sum of Two thousand seven hundred and fifty dollars—Immediately after the fire in July the library was removed to a rented room in Short Street, one door from Mill then owned by D.M. Payne Esq. the same occupied in 1821-3—But here again by Fire and water many books were burned and destroyed on 12^th October 1854. Partial insurances were made of two Insurance Companies for a less amount than before and the sum of Seven hundred fifty dollars were paid by the Home Insurance Co. to our Treasurer on 20^th Decr. 1854 for the loss in this second fire: On 14^th October having made the purchase of the house, steps were taken to remove and place the Books in the Rooms in the 2d story of the building bought. The library Co. consented to the Sale for the amount of their small interest in the building made by the City to the 2d Methodist church of the house recently occupied for the sum of 5,000$. The church at once rebuilt and occupied this Building. The amount of their interest in this sale was used in the needed fitting out of their rooms on Jordan's Row—and in the year 1869 a few of its most active friends when the church had determined to Sell, bought the same property for the more suitable and permanent location of the Library of their agents, James Campbell & E.K. Stephens, Real Estate Agents for the sum of Six thousand dollars; This elegant and well adapted building at least 60 feet by 80 with 15 or more feet of additional ground on is now the permanent situation of the Lexington Library it had been speedily fitted out in shelving and cases—The books removed—the House on Jordan's row rented, its income going to the support of the Library, and to paying off its Bonds for the building. Now July 4 1874, the Librarian gives me the pleasuring assurance that there is only $600 of the whole cost of the building unpaid; and the house on Jordan's row continues to be rented out for a good sum—Out of the valuable collection of books contained in the two printed catalogues at least a thousand volumes were lost & destroyed by the fires of the year 1854. The Library is now opened every day, and until 10 o'clock at night, and books, papers and periodicals made accessible, and the use of lights to readers of both sexes—this additional expense is in part defrayed by a number of Subscribers for the Reading Room since the publication of the Catalogues of 1821 and 1852 large additions have been made by purchase and donation, especially since the removal to their present location. Much of this sketch of the Lexington Library is condensed from my Annual Reports as Chairman of the Board of Directors, especially of the one of 1852, in which I say 'it is now six and thirty years that the writer of this report has been actively engaged in the direction of the Library, and for many years the chairman of the board of Directors.' I continued in its management until the summer of 1855, when I had removed from the County. Under our present Librarian Mr. Cooper the number of Shareholders and of Books given out have very greatly increased from year to year.

At a meeting of the Directors of the Lexington Library Co. June 4^th 1856, present T.B. Baxter, J.C. Butler, J.C. Darby, Robt. Long, and C.D. Carr, it was ordered that Will A. Leavy be released from the payment of Contributions on his Share in the Lexington Library. This compliment I need not say was wholly unanticipated by me, For more than twenty years of the early period of the Lexington Library more was due to Thomas T. Barr, Esqr.

(112)
than to any other individual for its successful establishment and promotion. He died in the month of November 1824 in the 47^th year of his age I make the following extract from a short Obituary of him from my own pen communicated to the Lexington papers at the time, commemorating this service. "In the spirit of a true Philanthropy he exerted himself with an untiring zeal for the promotion of useful knowledge and general intelligence among the people. To his devoted endeavours more than to those of any other individual are we indebted for the foundation of the Lexington Library—a proud moment of his liberality and public spirit. In this instance, indeed, it was with more than a Parent's delight in the prosperity of his offspring that he saw his labours crowned with success, and this favorite institution rising and diffusing its benefits, so extensively among his fellow citizens.—" Mr. Barr was the first secretary of the Board of Directors, and the writer of their proceedings, a member of the Board and its Chairman for over twenty years.

From the year 1816 or 17 when he first came to Lexington to the period of his death in 1865 Mr. Leonard Wheeler was a very active friend to the Institution, as Treasurer much of the time, and after as a Director. He kept the property insured, and received the amount for the Co. The Library has ever had the intelligent and valuable services of John S. Wilson, as a leading director, and the promoter of its best interests, more especially since the purchase of the building on Jordan's row, and the interests of the Institution have been growing, and assuming its present consequence. Before closing this account of the Lexington Library it is right to name as contributions to its historical department the large number of Newspapers given by individuals:—

From Mr. W. Worsley Esq. decd. Papers of his own publication in Virginia & Kentucky including the Reporter of Lexington from the year 1802 to 1815 Norfolk & Richmond, 1802 to 1806, Lexn. Reporter 1808 to 1815—11 volumes.

From Thomas Smith Esq. decd. Kentucky Gazette 1811-14 3 vols., Kentucky Reporter 1819-32, 10 vols.—13.

From Mr. A. Leavy, Ky. Gazette 1810-14, & 15 & 1816-17, 5 vols., Reporter 1808-12, 4 vols., American Republic 1810-12, the Supporter, Chillicothe, O. 1809-17, 8 yrs. 4 vols., New York Herald 1809-17—7 vols., Ky. Reporter, West Monitor, Ky. Gazette & Lexn. Public Advertiser 1819-22, 2 vols.—in all 23 vols.

From Mr. F.A.A. Giraud, of France, Daily Philada. Aaurora 1796 to 1817. 9 vols. Gazette Nationale, on Le Moniteur Universel, Paris 1800-3, 5 vols., Journal du Commerce &c 1806-6 1 vol. 15 vols.

Thos. B. Baxter Esq., Universal Gazette of Washn. City, National Intelligencer, & Philada. papers 1800 to 1841 10 cols.

(113)
From Leslie Combs, Esq. & hon. C.S. Morehead & hon. Jos R. Underwood, Washington City Papers & 1827—51—10 vols.

besides other donations of the same description from other citizens—making in all over 100 vols. of Newspapers interesting for research and reference.—

The celebrated French of D'Alembert & Diderot in 33 volumes in folio 1770-1789 was presented by M.C. Johnson, Esq. and Bayle's Historical & Critical Dictionary 5 vols. folo. 2^nd. ed. 1734 by W.A. Dudley Esqr. And many other valuable works at different times presented by others:—

A large number of Miscellaneous works have been given by several liberal donors within the last year or two. Let us hope this spirit of liberality will be caught by many others. And that the liberal donations by the citizens will give the Library an increase unprecedented in its history.

Andrew McCalla was the first Librarian, the books were all kept by him in one case. The first three in the building in the Public Square ____ years, the next three in the building on Main Street for _____ years, the next seven in the house on Jordan's Row for the space of _____ years also successively by Lewis H. Smith, David Logan, Thos. M. Prentiss, James Logue, L.W. Seeley, James Logue, W.W. Payne, W.M. Mathews, H.C. Brennan, A.G. Hunt, Joseph Wasson, Wm. Swift and Joseph B. Cooper. Mr. Logue's was the longest service, being for over twenty five years. Mr. Cooper's services have been untiring acceptible to the Directors and share holders and have been given ever since the removal of the Library to its present location.

No printed catalogue has been made since the fire of 1854 the number of volumes must be considerably over ten thousand, notwithstanding all losses of books by fire and otherwise.

Recapitulation:—1800 Library incorporated, 4 years with A. Maccalla Librn. to 1803

1804-21 on public Square from 1804 17 yrs. 1^st Fire July 25, 1854. Insured for amount of $3000: pd. by J.W. Cochran (?) agent.

1821-4 at Giron's room Short St., 3 yrs 2^nd Fire Oct. 12, 1854, Insurce 750 amt. collected Home I. Co.

1824-41 at Insurce Co. Library building 17 yrs. Around the 4 walls and in cases in space the books are conveniently arranged—1841-2 In care Stephens & Winslow 2 yrs. A separate room with tables Etc. is set apart for a Reading room, and a number of Newspapers & periodicals are read and placed on file in the Room. 1843-54 In the Medical College Library room entrance on Church St. 11 yrs. They are daily consulted by the subscribers, and the City of Lexington has been solicited to have the Rooms regularly lighted by gas. Within the last week or two the Law Library of Transylvania University has been conveniently arranged in an upper room for access to whoever it concerns.

1854-5 D.M. Payne's Room Short St., less than 1 yr.

1855-69 On Jordan's Row, 14 yrs.

1869-74 In present Room, N.W. corner of Market & Church 74 yrs. including year 1874 & 78 if including the time kept in Trans. Univ.

It will be seen from page 108 that the number of volumes in the Lexington Library in the year 1817 after it had received in 1816 the addition of 1135 volumes from the Juvenile Library was just 4000 vols: and, from the same page, the whole number of volumes after the publication of the Catalogues in 1821 and 1852 amounted exactly all counted to 8734.

Mr. Cooper the attentive Librarian, has been (May 1875) just rearranging and Catalogueing the Books, and says they are only about nine thousand in all, or but little over it. It would seem, if he is nearly right in this statement, the Number of volumes is really but little more than it was 23 years ago. Yet the library has made great progress:—witness the elegant and convenient building and rooms—the number of new books to be seen on the shelves,—the neat arrangement and excellent order in which they are found in the shelves, new numbers on each—the spacious room, and, neat cases and shelving. the number of share holders and visitors every day either looking over the late papers, neatly arranged, on counters or tables, or served by the Librarian or his Assistant with books—and the Gas Lights, and Visitors at night—all exhibits of life and convenience & prosperity delightful to behold.

The Library of Cincinnati first opened in 1814 contained only in 1826 the number of 1300 volumes This is from Cincinnati in 1826 by B. Drake and E.D. Mansfield—It now probably contains 25 or 30,000 Vols. from their printed catalogue in the Lexington Library. And the Mercantile Library at Cincinnati contains about the same number or nearly so.—(1875—Over—The Mercantile Libraries of St. Louis and of Louisville only created within a few years are about equally as large as the one in Cincinnati.

To be continued.

Transcribed January 2002 by pb

Back to Fayette County Genealogy and History