James J. Dozier to William W. Simmons - 4 Acres, North of Shepherdsville

On 29 Aug 1818, Adam Shepherd sold a lot of land to James J. Dozier, the size of 4 acres, and lying to the north of town and bordering the lot he had previously sold to John Beckwith Sr. We calculate that this tract's southwest corner would be near the northeast corner of the intersection of Buckman Street and Highway 44 today.

Through two suits heard in the Bullitt Circuit Court, Dozier was forced to relinquish his title to this lot in 1822, and William W. Simmons purchased it at sheriff's auction, as shown below. The family of W. W. Simmons appear to have owned this tract for many years before his heirs sold it in April 1888 to the Kentucky Tile and Brick Works.

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Bullitt County Deed Book E, Pages 1-3

This indenture made the sixth day of April 1822 between Joseph Hedges, sheriff of Bullitt County and state of Kentucky, of the one part and William W. Simmons of the same county and state of the other part.

Witnesseth that whereas on the 21st day of February 1822 there issued from the clerk's office of the Bullitt circuit court the following executions No. 64 and 65, viz. "The Commonwealth of Kentucky to the sheriff of Bullitt County, Greeting. We command you that of the estate of James J. Dozier and Henry Oldham, late of your bailiwick, you cause to be made the sum of $300 which William Farquar lately in our Bullitt circuit court recovered against them for debt by virtue of an replevin bond, and by the force of an act of assembly &c also $.33 adjudged to him for his cost by him expended. Whereof the said James J. Dozier and Henry Oldham are convicted as appears to us of record and that you have the said $300 and 33 cents before the judge of our said court at the courthouse in Shepherdsville on the 6th day of April next to render to the said William Farquar his debt and costs aforesaid. And have then there this writ. Witness George F. Pope, clerk of said court at the courthouse aforesaid this 21st day of February 1822; and in the 30th year of the Commonwealth. (signed) George F. Pope."

Now this execution is to be discharged by the payment of $150.02 one mill with interest thereon after the date of 6% per annum from the 8th day of November 1821 till paid and the costs and no security of any kiind is t obe taken; and by order of plaintiff's attorney notes on the Bank of Kentucky or its branches or notes on the bank of the Commonwealth of Kentucky or its branches may be received by the officer in discharge of the whole of this execution. Teste. George F. Pope, C.B.C.C.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky to the sheriff of Bullitt County, Greeting. We command you that of the estate of James J. Dozier, late of your bailiwick, you caused to be made the sum of $1000 which the Commonwealth of Kentucky lately in Bullitt circuit court recovered against him by virtue of a feire facias; also the sum of $4.68, the cost expended in this case whereof the said James J. Dozier is convicted as appears to us of record, and that you have the said $1000 and $4.68 before the judge of our said court at the courthouse in Shepherdsville on the 6th day of April next to render to the said Commonwealth the debt and costs aforesaid. And have then there this writ. Witness, George F. Pople, clerk of our said court at the courthouse aforesaid the 21st day of February 1822, and in the 30th year of the Commonwealth. George F. Pope.

By order of Richard Rudd Esquire, attorney for the Commonwealth, notes on the Bank of Kentucky or it branches, or notes on the Bank of the Commonwealth of Kentucky or its branches may be received by the officer in discharge of the whole of the execution and this execution is to be credited for $450. Teste. George F. Pope, C.B.C.C.

Which executions were on the said 21st day of February 1822 delivered into the hands of George Hedges, deputy sheriff for the said Joseph Hedges, sheriff, as aforesaid to levy and execute and by virtue of the same the said George Hedges, deputy as aforesaid, (the said James J. Dozier having no slaves or personal property known to the ser deputy sheriff or the plaintiff in the executions) did levy the said executions on all the interest of said Dozier in a tract of land lying in said County near to and adjoining the town of Shepherdsville containing 4 acres and conveyed by Adam Shepherd (with William Pope Jr.'s relinquishment thereon) to the said James J. Dozier by deed bearing date the 29th day of August 1818 and recorded in the clerk's office of the Bullitt County Court and which 4 acres of land is bounded as follows viz.

Beginning at a stake the northwesterly corner of a 4 acre lot conveyed by said Shepherd to John W. Beckwith, running thence with his line South 83 1/2° East 417'8" to a stake, thence South 6 1/2° East to a stake on McDowell's line, thence North 83 1/2° West 417'8" to a stake, thence South 6 1/2° West to the beginning, be the same more or less to the beginning, and did appoint the 11th day of March 1822 to sell the same on the premises by advertisement at the courthouse door in Shepherdsville on the __ dya of __ 1822, the same being a Circuit Court day for the Bullitt Circuit, and the said court then sitting as a court.

And the said George Hedges, deputy sheriff as aforesaid, did on the said 11th day of March 1822 attend on the premises aforesaid agreeably to said advertisement and publicly offer and cry the said four acres of land for sale to satisfy the said executions and did sell the same at the price of $39, and the said William W. Simmons became the purchaser, he being the highest bidder, $10.31 of which sum was paid in hand and applied toward the said William Farquar's execution and the balance at 3 months credit, and applied towards the Commonwealth's execution aforesaid.

Now the indenture witnesseth that the said Joseph Hedges, sheriff as aforesaid, for and in consideration of the premises and by virtue of said executions hath hereby and by these presents doth bargain, sell and convey to the said William W. Simmons, his heirs &c all the interest which the said James J. Dozier possessed in the four acres of ground described and bounded as aforesaid.

To have and to hold the said James J. Dozier's interest as aforesaid to him the said William W. Simmons, his heirs &c forever. In testimony whereof the said Joseph Hedges, sheriff as aforesaid, hereto set his hand and seal on the day and year first within written. (signed) Joseph Hedges, Sheriff.

I George L Robards, to whom the foregoing four acres was conveyed by James J. Dozier in trust, do hereby relinquish my claim as trustee aforesaid to the said William W. Simmons, but I am in no way to be liable in consequence of this relinquishment. Witness my hand and seal the sixth day of April 1822. (signed) George L Robards

State of Kentucky. I George F. Pope, clerk of the county court of Bullitt County, do certify that on the 13th day of April 1822 Joseph Hedges, sheriff of Bullitt County, came personally before me and acknowledged and delivered the foregoing deed to William W. Simmons to be his act and deed, and that on the 23rd day of May 1822 George L. Robards came personally before me and acknowledged and delivered the relinquishment thereunder written to said Simmons to be his act and deed. Whereupon I have recorded the said deed and relinquishment in my said office as required by law. Witness my hand this 23rd day of May 1822. (signed) George F. Pope

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