Original Shepherdsville Lots - Lot 24 (Southern Half)

After Adam Shepherd authorized the establishment of the town of Shepherdsville on fifty acres of land, a part of Peter Shepherd's original 900 acre survey, the first to lay claim to the half lot located on the northwest corner of the intersection of Main and Second Streets was James Shanks. In the town plat survey produced by Shanks, called the new plan, it was numbered as 24. Shanks received the southern half of the lot, while the northern half went to James Halbert.

Undoubtedly, Shanks must have received a deed to this half-lot, but it seems to have been lost. However, we know about it because his ownership to it is referred to in two later deeds, as we will show below.

James Shanks had died sometime prior to the middle of July 1812 when his death was recorded in Order Book C. His wife Elizabeth died sometime prior to October 1821 as noted in Order Book D. Neither had a written will, leaving it to the sheriff to take the estate in hand. Shanks had laid claim to several tracts of land in Bullitt County, but had also accumulated several debts, and by 1825 a suit in Nelson County Circuit Court brought by James Cox led to the sale of all these tracts including the Shepherdsville lot.

The first deed below, found in Bullitt County Deed Book F, page 69, describes the process in some detail. Briefly, the Shepherdsville lot was sold at auction and Cox was the high bidder. However, he apparently had an arrangement with Jonathan Gore Jr. for Cox had the deed to the lot made to Gore.

There was a second lien on the lot for unpaid Shepherdsville town taxes, and Gore also cleared that lien by purchasing the lot again, this time for the cost of the unpaid tax, as shown in the second deed shown below.

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Bullitt County Deed Book F, Pages 69-71

Whereas there issued from the clerk's office of the Nelson Circuit Court a Venditioni Exponas No. 3211 with name of James Cox against the heirs and representatives of James Shanks, deceased, which is in the words and figures following, to wit.

The Commonwealth of Kentucky to the sheriff of Bullitt County, Greeting. We command you that you expose to sale the estate of James Shanks, deceased, in the hands of Mentor A. Shanks, Harriet Ann Weller and Benjamin Weller her husband, Sally Harris Morton and Isaac Morton her husband, Hannibal Warren Shanks, Quintin Cincinnatis Shanks, and Camella Shanks, his heirs and representatives to the value of $772.47 with interest thereon at the rate of 6% per annum from the 12 day of May 1821, and $5.09 which James Cox who lately in our Nelson Circuit Court recovered against them on a scire facias and by reason of being coparcenary for said Shanks, which according to our command you have taken into your hands and which remains in your hands unsold as you have certified to the judge of our Nelson Circuit Court to satisfy the said James Cox the sums aforesaid; whereof in our said court he hath recovered execution against them by virtue of a judgment of the said court; and that you have the said $772.47 debt and interest and $5.09 and $9.54 before the judge of the said court at the courthouse in Bardstown on the 20 day of August next to render to the said James Cox the sum aforesaid and have then there this writ. "Witness James Slaughter Jr., clerk of our said court this 1 day of July 1835 and in the 34 year of the Commonwealth. James Slaughter Jr."

On which execution are the following endorsements to wit. Memo: The fifa herein was levied on the following land, to wit: 207 acres lying in Bullitt County on the waters of Rowing Fork; 250 on the same waters; 158 on the same waters; 195 on the waters of Cane Run; 400 acres in two tracts on the waters of Cedar Creek; 500 acres on the same waters; 225 acres on the same waters; 650 acres on the same waters; and two town lots in Shepherdsville per sheriff's return. Att. James Slaughter Jr., clerk. Notes on the bank of Kentucky or its branches or on the bank of the Commonwealth of Kentucky or its branches will be received in discharge of this execution. James Cox. No security of any kind is to be taken; the judgment on which the execution issued being for the mone which the facia Cox had as co-security for Shanks. Att. J. Slaughter Jr., clerk. Which execution was put into the hands of William Caldwell, deputy sheriff for James Alexander, sheriff of Bullitt County by virtue of which the said William Caldwell, deputy sheriff aforesaid, did after advertising agreeably to law on the 18 day of August 1825 publicly sell in .. the southern half part of lot No. 24 in the town of Shepherdsville, Bullitt County, Kentucky (being part of one of the lots mentioned in the memorandum endorsed on said execution) and James Cox the plaintiff became the purchaser at and by the sum of $40 in Commonwealth paper, he being the highest bidder, all which will more fully appear by the following return in said execution and the certificate given by said deputy sheriff to said Cox, to wit. By virtue of the within execution I sold on the farm of James Shanks, deceased, on the 17th instant the remaining interest of the heirs of James Shanks, deceased, in the tract of land upon which the said farm is situated, which interest is supposed to be about 330 acres, and Nathan Harris became the purchaser for ten dollars and one cent, Commonwealth money, and on the 18th instant I sold for $20 Commonwealth money 207 acres of land on the waters of the Rowing Fork; also 250 acres on same waters for $40; also 158 acres on same waters for $10; also the southern part of lot No. 24 in Shepherdsville for $40 which lands and lot were purchased by James Cox, the plaintiff in this execution. Also a tract of land 195 acres on Cane Run to William Hill for $10.50; also lot No. 49 in Shepherdsville for $10.62 1/2 to Thomas Shain. The products of sales after deducting sheriff commissions is $133.57, the money was paid to plaintiff. Wm. Caldwell, deputy sheriff for J. Alexander, S.B.C., August 18, 1825.

This day General James Cox purchased at sheriff's sale the southern half part of lot No. 24 in Shepherdsville upon which the jail stands for the sum of $40, Commonwealth money, which was sold by virtue of an execution No. 3211 from the Clerk's Office of the Nelson Circuit Court in the name of James Cox against the heirs of James Shanks, deceased, which I will as sheriff convey to James Cox .. any time a deed may be prepared. Witness my hand and seal the date above. William Caldwell, deputy sheriff for James Alexander, Sheriff of Bullitt County.

On which the said James Cox made the following endorsement, viz. The sheriff will deed the lot named within to Jonathan Gore Jr. 19th August 1825. James Cox.

Now this indenture made this first day of September 1825 between the said William Carpenter, deputy sheriff for James Alexander, sheriff of Bullitt County of the one part and Jonathan Gore Jr. of the other part. Witnesseth that the said William Caldwell, deputy sheriff as aforesaid, for and in consideration of the premises and the power vested in him by law hath and by these presents doth grant, sell, alien, release, convey and confirm unto the said Jonathan Gore Jr., his heirs &c all the right, title, interest and claim of the said Mentor A. Shanks, Harriet Ann Weller and Benjamin Weller her husband, Sally Harris Morton and Isaac Morton her husband, Hannibal Warren Shanks, Quintin Cincinnatis Shanks, and Camella Shanks, heirs and representatives of James Shanks, deceased, of, in and to the southern half part of lot No. 24 within town of Shepherdsville. To have and to hold the said southern half part of lot No. 24 in the town of Shepherdsville with all the appurtenances unto the said Jonathan Gore Jr., his heirs &c, and to his and their only proper use, benefit and behoof forever from the claim of them the said Mentor A. Shanks, Harriet Ann Weller and Benjamin Weller her husband, Sally Harris Morton and Isaac Morton her husband, Hannibal Warren Shanks, Quintin Cincinnatis Shanks, and Camella Shanks, heirs and representatives of James Shanks, deceased, and all persons claiming by, through, or under them or either of them. In testimony whereof the said William Caldwell, deputy sheriff as aforesaid, hath hereunto set his hand and seal on the day and year within written. (signed) William Caldwell, D.S. for J. Alexander, S.B.C.

State of Kentucky, Bullitt County Office, 1 September 1825 This indenture was this day produced to me the clerk of the court for said county and acknowledged by William Caldwell, deputy sheriff for James Alexander, Sheriff of Bullitt County to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned as deputy aforesaid, and the same is thereupon truly recorded in my office. Teste: George F. Pope, clerk.

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Bullitt County Deed Book F, Pages 72-73

Whereas the trustees of the town of Shepherdsville levied a tax on the town lots and inhabitants of said town for the year 1825 and appointed Henry F. Kalfus collector thereof, who was ordered to advertise and sell the lots in said town in failure of the owners of said lots to pay the tax thus levied. And pursuant of which order and the law regulating towns, the said Henry F. Kalfus did after duly advertising, sell on the 20th day of August 1825 the southern part of Lot number 24 on the plan of the town of Shepherdsville, being all that part of said lot claimed and owned by Mentor A. Shanks, Harriet Ann Weller and Benjamin Weller her husband, Sally Harris Morton and Isaac Morton her husband, Hannibal Warren Shanks, Quintin Cincinnatis Shanks, and Camella Shanks, heirs and representatives of James Shanks, deceased, and Jonathan Gore Jr. became the purchaser at and for the sum of fifty cents, being the amount of tax due on the part of said lot.

This indenture, therefore made the second day of September 1825 between the said Henry F. Kalfus, collector for the year 1825 as aforesaid, of the one part, and the said Jonathan Gore, Jr. of the other part. Witness that the said Henry F. Kalfus, collector as aforesaid, for and in consideration of the premises and the payment of the $.50 before the sealing and delivery hereof, the receipt hereof is acknowledged, has sold, alien, released, conveyed and confirmed, and by these presents does sell, alien, release, convey and confirm unto the said Jonathan Gore, Jr., his heirs, &c all that right title, claim, and interest of the said Mentor A. Shanks, Harriet Ann Weller and Benjamin Weller her husband, Sally Harris Morton and Isaac Morton her husband, Hannibal Warren Shanks, Quintin Cincinnatis Shanks, and Camella Shanks, heirs and representatives of James Shanks, deceased of, in and to the before described part of lot No. 24 in the present plan of the town of Shepherdsville.

To have and to hold, the said described part of lot No. 24 with all its appurtenances unto the said Jonathan Gore, Jr., his heirs, &c, and to his and their own proper use, benefit and behoof forever against the claim of the said Mentor A. Shanks, Harriet Ann Weller and Benjamin Weller her husband, Sally Harris Morton and Isaac Morton her husband, Hannibal Warren Shanks, Quintin Cincinnatis Shanks, and Camella Shanks, heirs and representatives as aforesaid, and all persons claiming by, through or under them or either of them. In testimony whereof the said Henry F. Kalfus, collector as aforesaid, hath hereunto set his hand and seal the day and year first above written. (signed) H. F. Kalfus, Collector of the Town Tax of Shepherdsville.

State of Kentucky, Bullitt County Court Sct. September 2nd 1825 This indenture was this day produced to me the clerk of the court for said county and acknowledged by Henry Kalfus, collector of the town tax in Shepherdsville, to be his act and deed for the purposes therein mentioned, and the same is thereupon truly recorded in my office. Att. George F. Pope, clerk

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