Adam Shepherd to John W. Beckwith and Frederic W. S. Grayson

In 1813 John W. Beckwith and Frederic W. S. Grayson purchased two tracts of land from Adam and Rachel Shepherd. These two tracts would become the foundation for a grist and iron-working mill along Salt River. The deed, recorded in Deed Book B, pages 670-672 in the County Clerk's Office in Shepherdsville, is transcribed below. Images of the actual deed are also provided.

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This indenture made this thirty first day of March in the year of our Lord, eighteen hundred and thirteen between Adam Shepherd and Rachael his wife of the County of Bullitt and Commonwealth of Kentucky of the one part and John W. Beckwith and Frederic W. S. Grayson of the same county and Commonwealth of the other part. Witnesseth that the said Adam Shepherd and Rachael his wife for in in consideration of the sum of three hudred and ninety __ dollars thirty two cents current money to them in hand paid by the said Beckwith and Grayson, the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged, have given, granted, bargained, and sold and aliened, released, conveyed and confirmed and by these presents do give, grant, bargain, and sell, alien, release, convey, and confirm unto the said Beckwith and Grayson two certain tracts of land lying in the said county on Salt River adjoining and below Shepherdsville; one tract containing one hundred and fifty acres more or less and bounded as follows.

"Towit" Beginning at two Black Walnuts and three Mulberry saplings on the north bank of Salt River, thence South seventy-nine degrees East two hundred and forty poles to a Black or Red Oak, Elm and Sweet Gum saplings in a flat, thence South six degrees thirty minutes West forty nine poles to a stake corner to the grave yard, thence with a line of the same North eighty-three degrees West twenty-five poles to another stake, thence South six degrees thirty minutes West six poles to another stake, thence South eighty-three and one half degrees East twenty-five poles to a stake, thence South six degrees thirty minutes West twenty-six poles to a line of said Shepherd's six hundred acre survey on the bank of Salt River, thence down said river and binding thereon with the several meanders thereof to the Beginning.

The other tract containing fifty acres more or less and bounded as follows. Towit. Beginning in the upper line of the aforesaid one hundred and fifty acre tract at the junction of the lower line of Water Street, thence with said Street line up the river as far as Walnut Street, thence with said Street to the river, thence up the river to a large Beech tree marked A.S., corner to Peter Shepherd's 600 acre survey, thence with a line thereof South thirty six degrees West to the South side of Salt River and so far up the bank thereof as shall be seven feet perpendicular height above low water mark, thence down said river at the distance aforesaid to a point opposite to the Beginning corner of the aforesaid tract of one hundred and fifty acres, thence up the river with the line of the same aforesaid tract of 150 acres to the Beginning, with their appurtenances, to have and to hold the said tracts of land with their appurtenances to the said Beckwith and Grayson, their heirs and assigns to their only proper use and behoof forever, and the said Adam Shepherd and Rachael his wife for themselves, their heirs, executors, and administrators further covenant and agree to and with the said Beckwith and Grayson, their heirs and assigns that they will forever warrant and defend said tracts of land to them, their heirs and assigns against them the said Adam and Rachael, their heirs and all persons claiming by thro from or under them but not against the claims of any other person or persons whatsoever, nor will they in consequence of any such blame be answerable for damages or consideration money. Witness their hand and seals the day and year first above written. Signed, sealed and delivered in presence of David Brown, J. Alexander. (signed)Adam Shepherd, Rachael Shepherd.

Bullitt County Sct We as justices of the peace in and for the County aforesaid do hereby certify that on the day of the date hereof Rachael Shepherd, one of the party to the within deed acknowledged the same to be her voluntary act and deed, and declared that she signed, sealed and acknowledged the same without the threats or persuasions of her husband or through fear of gaining his displeasure, and relinquishes her dower to the land within mentioned and declares that she wishes not to retract her said acknowledgment which was done privily from and out of the hearing of her said husband, given under our hand this 31st day of March 1813. (signed) J. Alexander, J.P.B.C; David Brown, J.P.B.C

Bullitt County Sct I Thomas J. Willson, Deputy Clerk of the Bullitt County Court, do hereby certify that on the third day of the present month at a County Court held for the County aforesaid the within indenture was proven by the oaths of James Alexander and David Brown, subscribing witnesses thereto, to be the voluntary act and deed of Adam Shepherd and ordered to be recorded. Whereupon I have recorded the said indenture and the certificate thereon. Endorsed together with this certificate in the office of the said County Court this 26th day of May 1813, and in the 21st year of the Commonwealth. (signed) Thomas J. Willson

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