William Walker, born in Virginia, November 27, 1769, died August 23, 1841.  Richmond Cemetery, Madison County, Kentucky

Jane Walker, born in Virginia, January 30, 1776, died March 3, 1859.

from Madison County Rediscovered, Lavinia H. Kubiak, 1988

William Walker House, Duncannon Road

When William Walker (1769-1841) married Jane Bates (1776-1839) in 1795, her parents had the first portion of this two-story house built as a wedding present.  the Walker House, also referred to as he J. D. Harris House and as The Cedars, was owned by prominent citizen John D. Harris (1829-1905) until he purchased Blythewood.

The residence was originally constructed in the Federal style and faced southward toward Boone’s Trail.  The central portico and two one-room two-story wings on either side of the original block were added around 1830, creating Greek Revival detail and reorienting the house to face westward toward a new road.

The two-story pedimented portico is supported by four tapering brick pillars.  The central bay of the house, which the portico shelters, is separated visually from the wings by white plaster applied over the exterior brick.  Each window is capped by identical brick jack arches, although the size of the second-central window is triparate, with sidelights flanking the sash.  Sidelights also appear at the central doorway below.  The central passage leads to rooms on either side, each having an interior brick chimney on the gable ends.  The Walker House represents an excellent example of Madison County building which was updated from the Federal to the Greek Revival style.

The William Walker House