Hannah Baxter House


115-117 E. Constitution (2nd), Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Built 1831

Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.

Matthew Kennedy evidently built this house for Hannah Baxter, at the same time he built the house known as the "Macalaster House" on the Limestone Street corner nearby. The "ear-marks" are the same, and the dates tally.

Hannah Baxter bought a 60 ft. lot here March 25, 1831, from John Bell, who had purchased it in April, 1820,  from Thomas January and wife. Both deeds referred to the frontage as extending "to the corner of the brick house." The 1838 Directory lists "Mrs. Baxter, left side Constitution St. bet. N. Mulberry & Walnut Sts." (In a deed to the house next east February 21, 1846, it mentioned the house here "owned and occupied by Mrs. Baxter".)

(Mrs. Baxter owned and occupied the house next to Jas. Robert Sloan January 21, 1846 - p. 64).

The "brick house" next to it, mentioned in the 1831 and 1820 deeds, is still there - it is the rear part of the next house and clearly shows its age.

(The original deeds were for 60 ft. frontage, which was reduced to about 42 ft. in 1907).

George H. Hancock bought the house March 11, 1861, from Charles N. Anderson and wife, of Champaigne County, Ill., and Hannah Frances Noble. The house and lot fronted 60 feet and was "between the lots owned by Joshua Frost and Charles I. Bodley." The deed said:

"This lot once belonged to Hannah Baxter, dec'd. At her death it became the property of her two daughters, Jane Baxter and Mrs. Mary Noble. Jane Baxter devised by will her half of it to Hannah Frances Noble. Mrs. Mary Noble had three children - Wm. B. Noble, Hannah Frances Noble and Mrs. Ann J. Anderson. These three children after their mother's death owned the other half, deeded March 20, 1854. Harriett Frances Noble conveyed to Chas. N. Anderson the aforesaid undivided half of said house and lot devised to her by Jane Baxter, and also her one-half interest devised from said mother. Mrs. Ann J. Anderson is the wife of Chas. N. Anderson. Wm. B. Noble is supposed to be dead  and Mrs. Ann J. Anderson and  Hannah Francis Noble were entitled to his one-third interest from his mother. All of her interests are undivided by deed Jan. 9, 1861."

So, there's the story of Hannah Baxter's descendants, as well as her "house on Constitution Street."

George H. Hancock, many years afterward, sold this house, and reserved sufficient footage to build the little house on the east, that abuts on the sidewalk.

Transcribed by pb October 2002

Updated December 13, 2025.