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. This appears to include the riverside Shepherdsville lots 65-76. Carpenter then sold a portion of this tract to Henry O. Maraman in 1868, as shown below. Besides the river bed, this transaction included the partial lot #65 in Shepherdsville. Maraman would enter into an agreement with Henry J. Barns to develop water power along the river on this tract.
Bullitt County Deed Book S, Pages 44-45
This indenture made and entered into this 2nd day of January 1868 by and between Wilhite Carpenter and Letitia his wife of the first part, and H. O. Maraman of the second part.
Witnesseth that the said parties of the first part for and in consideration of the sum of $500 of which sum $356 is this day paid in conveyance of land this day made by the said party of the second part to the party of the first part, the balance of $144 to be paid in two years from this date with interest, and for which amount the said party of the second part has executed his note, and a lien is hereby retained to secure its payment, have granted bargained and sold, and by these presents do grant, bargain and sell unto the said party of the second part the following described estate, to wit.
Beginning at the intersection of West and Water Streets and including all the mill seat tract from that point up Salt River and across the same and down the same to a point opposite the beginning, thence across the river to the beginning, including the first fraction of a lot at the junction of West and Water Streets, and excluding all the other fractions of lots conveyed by the Shepherdsville Iron Manufacturing Company to said Carpenter, except such rights as have heretofore been parted with by said Carpenter.
To have and to hold the same against the said Carpenter, his heirs or assigns, by this deed of special warranty against the claims of no peson or persons whatever except those above enumerated. In witness whereof the said parties of the first part have hereto set their hands and seals. (signed) W. Carpenter, Letitia [her x mark] Carpenter
State of Kentucky Kentucky, Bullitt County, S.S. As clerk of the Bullitt County Court I certify that on 6 January 1868 the foregoing deed was produced to me in my county and acknowledged by W. Carpenter to be his act and deed, and on 3 September 1870 was again produced and acknowledged by Leticia Carpenter, wife of W. Carpenter, to be her act and deed, and was then ordered to record, and being a duly stamped I have recorded it and this certificate in my office this 11th of November 1870. (signed) R. J. Meyler, Clerk by R. McConathy, D.C.
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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: 21 Sep 2026 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/wcarpenter-homaramanforge.html
