E. W. Hall & F. P. Straus to William T. Lee - Lower Forge Tract

In 1852, the Shepherdsville Iron Manufacturing Company contracted to sell the Forge Tract near Shepherdsville to Wilhite Carpenter. They completed the transaction with his final mortgage payment in April 1864. Carpenter then sold a portion of this tract to Henry O. Maraman in 1868. Then he sold the remainder to John R. and Joseph Chaddic in 1870. Joseph assumed responsibility for the purchase in 1872. Then in 1876 Joseph Chaddic sold the tract to R. J. Meyler. Then in 1885, in a court suit against Meyler's estate, this tract was sold to Wesley Phelps. Two years later Phelps sold the tract to E. W. Hall and F. P. Straus. Then in 1890 Hall and Straus sold the tract to William T. Lee as shown below.

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Bullitt County Deed Book 28, Pages 124-126

This deed made this 14th day of January 1890 by and between F. P. Straus and Kate L. Straus his wife, and E. W. Hall, party of the first part and William T. Lee, party 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 $375 to be paid by the party of the second part as follows: $125 in one year from this date, $125 in two years from this state, and $125 in three years from this date, evidenced by six promissory notes of even date herewith, three for $62.50 each payable to F. P. Straus in one, two and three years; and three for $62.50 each payable to E. W. Hall in one, two and three years respectively. All of said notes bearing 6% per annum interest from date till paid, and to secure their payment a lien is retained on the property herein conveyed, have granted, bargained and sold and hereby sell, convey and deliver unto the said William T. Lee, his heirs and assigns forever with covenant of general warranty the following described property situated in Bullitt County, Kentucky adjoining the town of Shepherdsville and known as the Forge tract of land including the bed of Salt River and water power as conveyed to the first party by Wesley Phelps and wife by deed dated 15th November 1887, and bounded as follows:

Beginning at the corner of the fence on the west side of Water Street in Shepherdsville, corner to Lewellen Holsclaw's land, thence with the fence down Salt River below the forge house where the old stables stood, thence in a southward direction with the fence to the corner and continuing in the same direction to a point on Salt River 7 feet perpendicular height above low water mark, thence down the river to western corner of A. H. Field's forge tract, thence across the river with the original tract as deeded to Wilhite Carpenter by J. F. Bullitt, President of the Iron Manufacturing Company, thence up the river with the same line to a point opposite the beginning, thence across the river to the place of beginning; containing 30 acres more or less.

To have and to hold said tract of land, river bed, water power and all the franchises pertaining thereto.

Witness our hands this the day and date forst herein written. Wesley Phelps has the right to one-half of the fish trap in the river by the island for 5 years, and the right to go and come from same over the land herein conveyed. (signed) F. P. Straus, E. W. Hall, Kate L. Straus

State of Kentucky, Bullitt County, Sct. I E. W. Hall, clerk of the Bullitt County Court in the state aforesaid, certify that on the 14th day of January 1890, the foregoing deed from F. P. Straus and wife and E. W. Hall to William T. Lee was produced to me in my office and acknowledged before me by F. P. Straus to be his act and deed, and on the 15th day of January 1890 said deed was agains produced to me in my county and acknowledge before me by kate L. Straus, wife of F. P. Straus to be here act and deed; and by E. W. Hall to be his act and deed, and on the 30th day of January 1890 said deed was lodged in my office for record, and that I have truly and duly recorded sadi deed together with this certificate in my said office thisw 1st day of February A.D. 1890. (signed) E. W. Hall, Clerk, by E. H. Thompson, D.C.

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