On 14 Jul 1841, Lewis Smyser sold this 101 plus acre tract on the waters of Floyd's Fork to Richard James. On 12 Apr 1854, following Richard James' death, his daughter Elizabeth Jane sold her share of this tract to her brothers Otho B. James, William H. James and John R. James. On 30 Mar 1857, another daughter, Lucy Ann Hall, wife of Nathan Hall, sold her share of this tract to the same three brothers. After Lucy Ann Hall died of consumption in May 1857, Nathan married her sister Ruth Ellen James on 13 Oct 1861. To settle Ellen's share of her father's estate, the other siblings sold a tract of 50 plus acres to her and Nathan on 4 Mar 1870. In exchange for this, the Halls deeded their shares in several tracts, including this one, to the four James brothers. Finally, Otho James sold his share of this tract to his brother William James as shown below.
Bullitt County Deed Book R, Pages 546-547
This indenture made and entered into this fourth day of March 1870 by and between Otho B. James and Lucretia his wife of the first part and William H. James of the second part, all of Bullitt County, Kentucky.
Witnesseth that the first party for and in consideration of the sum of $252.50 settled and paid, the receipt hereby acknowledged, have granted, bargained, and sold, and hereby convey and confirm unto the second party all the undivided right, title, interest, and claim of the first party of in and to the following tract of land to wit, a tract of 101 acres of land, more or less lying in Bullitt County, Kentucky on the waters of Floyd's Fork, a tributary of Salt River and bounded as follows.
Beginning at a hickory, the southwest corner of said 1000 acre Jacob Harmon's survey, running thence with a line of the same North 60° East 168 poles to a stone marked "R. J." and a white oak and dogwood, thence South 60° West 168 poles to a stone in the west line of said 1000 acre survey and near a branch, thence with a line of said survey South 30° East 97 poles to the beginning, contain a 101 acres more or less.
The interest undivided of the first party in the above tract is 1/7 and 2/3 of 1/7 and the 101 acres tract is estimated at $10.50 per acre. And the first party agrees to warrant and defend his interest in the land aforesaid against all claims by general warranty. Witness the hands of the first parties here in this fourth of March 1870. (signed) Otho B. James, Lucretia F. James
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The Bullitt County History Museum, a service of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is located in the county courthouse at 300 South Buckman Street (Highway 61) in Shepherdsville, Kentucky. The museum, along with its research room, is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday. Saturday appointments are available by calling 502-921-0161 during our regular weekday hours. Admission is free. The museum, as part of the Bullitt County Genealogical Society, is a 501(c)3 tax exempt organization and is classified as a 509(a)2 public charity. Contributions and bequests are deductible under section 2055, 2106, or 2522 of the Internal Revenue Code. Page last modified: 11 Apr 2026 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/otho-williamjames.html
