John Keizer House
(MICHAEL CLARKE)
#344 S. Upper St., Lexington, Fayette County, Kentucky
Michael Clarke, a free man of color who seemed to have plenty of influential and prominent white friends in the early days of Lexington, built this log house before 1807, and the brick before 1818.
Major Thomas Bodley conveyed to Clarke a lot in July, 1807, fronting 50 feet on "new Upper St. at the north corner of John Leiby's lot." The 1818 Directory lists him, "house joiner," living here. In 1806, he had a deed of emancipation recorded to Fanny Clark, and in 1827 he filed another one to Matthew Clarke, as follows:
"I, Michael Clarke, emancipate and set free my wife, Fanny Clarke, and her child, Matthew. The said Fanny was purchased by me of James Ford and Ursula, his wife, by bill of sale under date of July 19, 1804."
The following, indexed as "Proof of whipping of Mike Clarke for non-payment of Taxes," appears of record September 9, 1820:
"Mrs. Hannah Clarke, a free woman of colour, wife of Michael Clarke, wishes it to be placed on the records of the Fayette County Court that her husband was this day whipped by the sentence of a Magistrate for raising his hand against Barnaby Worland, Town Collector, who had distrained his property for not paying his Town Taxes."
The above was attested to by Joseph Fowler and Frances G. West.
Clarke died in 1828. His will, witnessed by Major Bodley and Prof. John Roche, indicated he was well off. It read:
"I Michael Clarke, a free man of colour, will and bequeath to my beloved wife, Hannah, during her natural life my house and lot, carriage and horse, and all my furniture and estate of every description, except the two legacies hereinafter to be made. It is my wish and desire that my said wife shall remain in the house we now live in and keep the property together as long as she lives, and that she shall bring up and educate my son, Washington, in the best manner she can, but should it be thought necessary by my wife and my executors to dispose of by public sale or otherwise my carriage and horses, they are authorized to do so and appropriate the proceeds to the support of my wife and to the support and education of my son, Washington. I give and bequeath to my daughter, Betsy Phillips (wife of Harry Phillips) $20.00. Also, I give to my son Matthew $10." After the death of his wife, the estate was to be divided among the children. He appointed Richard Higgins and Prof. John Roche executors.
That is quoted to show that as early as 1804 and as late as 1828 (and thereafter, for that matter), freed slaves were not only protected and helped by the leading citizens of the community, but were permitted to live "in style" in the best residential sections. This certainly was one of the best residential sections of early Lexington. Writers before and after the war pictured Lexington, "the slave market," as far different from the actual condition that obtained here.
But to get on with the story of the house. In January, 1832, Matthew Clarke and Elizabeth Phillips, children of Michael Clarke, dec'd, conveyed the property "opposite the premises of Col. Josiah Dunham" to John Keiser, Jr., subject to the life estate of Hannah Clarke. They stated they were the heirs of Michael Clarke, their father, and of their brother, Washington Clarke, dec'd, and that it was "the same house built by Michael Clarke."
Deputy Sheriff James R. Sloan levied on the property of John Keiser in 1837--"the household and tavern furniture, also a house and lot bought of Michael Clarke's heirs" and his slaves, "Aaron, Kitt, Rootes, Hampton, Philip, Malinda, Dinah, Luckey, Elizabeth and Ellen." They were sold at the Court House door July 10, 1837, and James E. Davis "being the highest bidder" bought the house and the slaves.
In June, 1839, David conveyed the house to John B. Johnson.
Johnson and wife, Elizabeth M., sold the property in 1864 to James and Edward Shannon.
Source: Old Houses of Lexington, C. Frank Dunn, typescript, n.d., copy located in the Kentucky Room, Lexington (Kentucky) Public Library.
Transcribed by pb, July 2006
Updated December 13, 2025.