Clara Donahue to E. D. Jones - Part of Shepherdsville Lots 39 & 40

On 15 Aug 1874, Nicholas Simmons had given parts of Shepherdsville lots 39 and 40, along with 500 acres west of town to his grandchildren, children of his deceased daughter Sarah Bohannon who had married Churchill B. Bohannon in 1854 in Bullitt County before moving to Union County. She died on 5 Jul 1867.

Then on 7 May 1887, the now-grown Bohannons sold this property to their uncle, William Henry Simmons, son of Nicholas Simmons.

On part of these lots bordering Second Street had been located what was known as the American Hotel. It is shown to the right in this 1909 flood picture, sitting next to the Maraman store. This is the property that Simmons sold to Nannie Collings as first described in deed book 29, and more accurately in deed book 32. Then in May 1897, Collings sold the property to Maggie Donahue, mother of Lillie Gegg, the lady who had leased the hotel from Collings.

Next, on 28 Oct 1898, Margaret Donahue sold the lot and improvements to her daughter, Clara Donahue who then sold it to Ernest DeMoville Jones on 25 Sep 1901, as shown below.

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Bullitt County Deed Book 34, Pages 368-369

This deed made and entered into this 25th day of September 1901 by and between Clara Donahue of the first part and E. D. Jones of the second part, all of Bullitt County, Kentucky.

Witnesseth that the party of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of $1500.00 cash in hand paid, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, has granted, bargained and sold and doth by these presents grant, bargain, sell and convey unto the party of the second part the following described house and lot, lying and being in the town of Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky and known as the American Hotel and bounded as follows, viz.

Situated on the southwest corner of Main and Second Streets in said town, and bounded on the north by Second Street, on the west by an alley, on the south by Maraman Bros company's lot and store house, on the east by Main Street and the Public Square.

Said property is more fully described in the deed from W. H. Simmons to Nannie Collings recorded in Deed Book No. 29, page 429, Bullitt County Court Clerk's office, and more accurately described in the deed of correction from W. H. Simmons to Nannie Collins of record in the office of the Clerk of the Bullitt County Court, in Deed Book 32.

To have and to hold the said described property together with all the appurtenances thereon unto the party of the second part, his heirs and assigns forever with covenant of general warranty.

In testimony whereof, attest the signature of the party of the first part has signed her name the day and date first above written. [signed Clara Donahue]

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