William Bowman House
High St., Lexington, Fayette
County, Kentucky
Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.
Wm. Bowman in 1818 purchased from the Town Trustees of Lexington "that lot binding on High St. situated between the lot heretofore conveyed to John Parker and an alley," which then ran through from High to Main Streets. This end of the alley still shows, and the other end is between the Phoenix Hotel and the Hernando Building.
The lot extended half-way back to Main Street and the deed was to "Wm. Bowman, assignee of James Hughes, who is assignee of John McKinney" (presumably the famous pioneer teacher, "Wild Cat" McKinney).
Bowman erected this house, next to the one built by his father-in-law, John Parker, and resided here for several years--so long that it was referred to as his house in deeds for half a century and more. He sold the back part of his lot in 1832 to Edward P. Johnson, the leading stage coach proprietor of that day, who built his stables there.
Preston West, stage-coach contractor, (listed as such here in 1838 Directory) was deeded the residence early in 1838 by the executors of John Parker (see story of Parker House)--West was already living here, having bought the house from Bowman. The 1838 deed referred to it as "the former residence of Wm. Bowman and opposite the residence of John Morton." The lot fronted 34 1/2 feet, between John Parker's lot and an alley, and extended back to "the stable lot of Preston West." In a mortgage in 1866, he described it as "my house and lot on High St. between the houses of Mrs. Montmollen and John Carty, an alley however lies between this property and Montmollen's." (the latter was razed...)
West and his wife, Elizabeth E., sold the Bowman house in 1871 to O.P. Beard. Captain Beard had been in charge of the Lexington Cavalry, in which the youthful John H. Morgan was First Lieutenant, in the Mexican War.
Benjamin Clark purchased it in 1875, and in 1878 he and his wife, Amanda C., conveyed the house "occupied by them as a residence" to John W. Pettit, in trust.
Clark sold the house in 1885 to Wm. G. Carter, who in 1892 also bought the Parker house next door.
June 14, 1820 - Pub. Advr.:
I am happy to announce to my friends and the public generally, that I have at
great expense rebuilt my LIVERY STABLES in a manner superior to any in the
State, and on the same ground on which they formerly stood. I respectfully
solicit the patronage of my former customers and the public generally. I shall
endeavor and hope to give satisfaction to all who may call.
WILLIAM BOWMAN
Lexington, May 31, 1820.--tf
Transcribed by pb February 2003