David Leitch sold 156 acres of land on the waters of Broad Run to Thomas Anderson on 1 Apr 1794 while it was still a part of Jefferson County. Later, Anderson's heirs sold the land to Thomas Russell Sr. Then in 1840, Thomas Russell Sr. sold 6.5 acres of his land to his son Thomas Jr. and his son-in-law William C. Short where they were operating a grocery store. Then on 21 Oct 1843, Russell mortgaged the rest of the farm and personal property to a group of people to whom he was indebted, as shown below. Note that he was also mortgaging the hire of five slaves. It appears that Russell sold 51 acres of this tract to Alexander McCrocklin on 14 Jul 1851; then sold 13.75 acres to William C. Short on the same day. Following his death, his heirs were required to sell the remaining 86 acres, more or less, via a Circuit Court suit, and William C. Short was the purchaser.
Bullitt County Deed Book M, Pages 442-443
This indenture made this 11th day of April 1853 between Rachael Wise and Henry Wise her husband, Elizabeth Russell, Thomas Russell Jr., Jackson Bailey and Mary Bailey his wife, William C, Short and Nancy Short his wife, Nelson King, and Charlotte King his wife, Melinda Russell and Saul C. Russell, heirs of Thomas Russell, dec'd by R. F. Samuels, commissioner appointed to make this conveyance, of the first part and William C. Short of the second part.
Witnesseth that whereas in the suit in chancery pending in the Bullitt Circuit Court in the name of Charles Hall against Thomas Russell &c the said court did by its decree dated the 14th day of October 1851 decree and order (among other personal property) a sale of a tract of land lying on the waters of Broad Run in Bullitt County and being the balance of the tract of land on which Thomas Russell lived and the same named in the deed of mortgage from Thomas Russell to said Charles Hall & dated the 21st day of October 1843 and recorded in Deed Book K, page 136, and sold for 86 acres more or less, and appointed Nathaniel P. Saunders commissioner to sell the same, and said commissioner did advertise said land as directed by said decree to be sold on the premises on the 10th day of November 1851, and on said day said commissioner attended and sold said tract of land containing 86 acres, more or less, as ordered in said decree, and William C. Short became the purchaser of said tract of land for the sum of $450 and gave bond for the same with and it appears that the debt decreed to be paid have been assigned to said Short whereby the purchase money is coming to said William C. Short, and said commissioner returned his report of sale on the 13th day of April 1852, and on the 12th day of October 1852 Robert F. Samuels was appointed a commissioner to convey said tract to said William C. Short, the purchaser, reference to said orders, suit, decree, sale, report &c in said suit will more fully show all the proceedings.
Wherefore in consideration of the whole premises, the decree, order of sale and reports therein and said suit, they the party of the first part by Robert F. Samuels, commissioner appointed for them for the purpose, hath conveyed, and doth by these presents convey unto the said William C. Short, his heirs and assigns, the said 86 acres, more or less, sold as aforesaid, situate and lying in said county of Bullitt on Broad Run, together with the appurtenances unto the same belonging.
To have and to hold said land and appurtenances aforesaid unto the said William C. Short, his heirs and assigns against the claim of the party of the first part and their heirs and all persons claiming under them as fully as by law said commissioner can warrant without individual responsibility on said commissioner. In testimony whereof the grantors, the party of the first part by Robert F. Samuels, commissioner, hath hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first written.
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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: 24 Sep 2025 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/trussellheirs-wmcshort.html
