The Shelby Democrat
Thursday, May 10, 1906
Page 6, column 3
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OLD LANDMARK
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Building to Be Removed to
Make Room For New Station
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One of Oldest in City
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The erection of the new
interurban station on north Harrison street means the removal of an old
structure that for many years has been a landmark in Shelbyville. The
old-fashioned, two-story frame building known as the Cottage Hotel,
is familiar to all our citizens, but few know that this house is a sturdy
survivor of the earliest pioneer days of Shelby County.
The exact date at which
it was built is not known, but it is certain that it was some time in the early
twenties. Captain Chandler Huntington, one of the early
settlers of the county and one of the first Masons to take up his residence
here, had the house constructed as early at least as the laying out of
Shelbyville in 1822.
Royal Mayhew
married a daughter of Captain Huntington and later purchased the Huntington
residence. He lived in the house until he removed to Indianapolis in 1844
to take up the duties as treasurer of state which office he had just been
elected. At that time the house was arranged much on the same plan as at
present. Mr. Mayhew, who was a practicing attorney, had his office
downstairs, and the rooms occupied by the family were located upstairs.
On October 17, 1833, the
marriage of Elbridge Gerry Mayhew, a brother of Royal,
to Sarah Smith, occurred. The marriage ceremony was performed
in the front parlors upstairs and was quite an event in the live of Shelbyville
of that day. The contracting parties were the parents of Ed
Mayhew and Miss Amanda Mayhew, of this city,
and Elijah Mayhew, now of Denver, formerly at Washington in
the government service. It is with reference to his marriage that the age
of the old house is most easily determined, as at that time the building was
between ten and fifteen years old. It is built in the substantial methods
employed in those days, the sills being made of oak logs, trimmed by the adze
and fastened together by oak pins. So excellent was the construction that
today it is in good condition and could be moved as easily as houses built
within the last few years.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The Shelby Republican
Thursday, September 26, 1878.
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B I N G H A M , W A L K & M A Y H E W , No. 12 East Washington Street, Indianapolis, are the leading Jewelry firm of the State. Persons attending the State Fair should not fail to take a look through their establishment whether they wish to purchase or not. Their recent purchases include all of the very latest designs and many novel ties not seen in any other house. [The article continues-pmf]
Submitted by Phyllis Miller Fleming
The National Volunteer
April 13, 1853
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Concert on Tuesday, directed by Mr. Batchelder,
music teacher. Mr. Batchelder, Mr. and Mrs. Rockwood, Mrs. Hatch, Miss Moore, Miss Rebecca Peaslee, Dr. Bussell, and Messrs. Comingore, Stewart, Abe Peaslee and Elijah Mayhew performed.
Submitted by Phyllis Miller Fleming
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