Bullitt County History

Nannie Collings to M. Donahue - Part of Shepherdsville Lots 39 & 40

On 15 Aug 1874, Nicholas Simmons had given parts of Shepherdsville lots 39 and 40, along with 500 acres west of town to his grandchildren, children of his deceased daughter Sarah Bohannon who had married Churchill B. Bohannon in 1854 in Bullitt County before moving to Union County. She died on 5 Jul 1867.

Then on 7 May 1887, the now-grown Bohannons sold this property to their uncle, William Henry Simmons, son of Nicholas Simmons.

On part of these lots bordering Second Street had been located what was known as the American Hotel. It is shown to the right in this 1909 flood picture, sitting next to the Maraman store. This is the property that Simmons sold to Nannie Collings as first described in deed book 29, and more accurately in deed book 32. Then in May 1897, Collings sold the property to Maggie Donahue, mother of Lillie Gegg, the lady who had leased the hotel from Collings.


Bullitt County Deed Book 32, Pages 120-121

This indenture made and entered into this 17th day of May 1897 by and between Nannie Collings (widow) of Bullitt County, Kentucky, party of the first part, and Mrs. M. Donahue of the City of Louisville and State of Kentucky, party of the second part.

Witnesseth taht the first party for and in consideration of the sum of $1200.00 paid and to be paid as follows: $300 cash in hand, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and the further sum of $900 payable in three equal annual payments of $300 each for which the party of the second part has executed her three promissory notes of even date herewith due and payable in one, two and three years from date respectively and bearing 6% per annum interest from date until paid, and payable to the party of the first part, hath granted, bargained and sold and hereby grants, bargains, sells and conveys to the said M. Donahue, party of the second part, the following described property, to wit: a house and lot in the town of Shepherdsville, Kentucky known as the American Hotel property situated on the southwest corner of Main and Second Street in said town and bounded on the north by Second Street, on the west by an alley, on the south by the Maraman Bros Company's lot and store house, and on the east by Main Street and the Public Square. Said property is more fully described in deed from W. H. Simmons to Nannie Collings of date 10th May 1892 and recorded in Deed Book No. 29, page 429, Bullitt County Court Clerk's office, and more accurately described in a deed of correction from Thomas H. Simmons to Nannie Collings, which deed is recorded in Deed Book No. 32 of Bullitt County Court records, which deeds are hereby referred to .

To have and to hold the above described property unto the party of the second part, her heirs and assigns forever with covenant of general warranty against the claims of all persons whomsoever.

Said party of the first part hereby transfers her lease of said property to Mrs. L. Gegg to the second party and also transfers a fire insurance policy on said American Hotel, it being policy No. X3249 in the Phoenix Insurance Company of Hartford, Connecticut for $1000, and which policy expired on 29th day of September 1897.

It is also agreed by the parties hereto that all of said deferred payments may be paid before maturity at the option of the party of the second part.

A lien is retained on said property to secure the deferred payments herein. In testimony whereof witness the signature of the party of the first part the day and date first herein written. [signed Nannie Collings]


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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: 06 May 2024 . Page URL: bullittcountyhistory.org/bchistory/collings-donahue.html