Historical Marker

Walnut Groves Farm

Historical marker location:

Bloomfield, Kentucky

( 801 Taylorsville Road, Bloomfield)

Established in 1818 when Samuel Boone Merrifield and his wife, Frances Bemiss, purchased 333 acres on Simpson Creek. Farm was originally a 1,000-acre Virginia land grant, signed by Governor Patrick Henry, to Thomas Lewis on June 1, 1785. Merrifield was trained as a physician by his wife’s father and Bloomfield town founder, Dr. John Bemiss.

Reverse

The Greek Revival mansion was built by Matthew Batcheldor, a carpenter and builder of national repute. The interior finish of the house is among the finest Greek Revival woodwork in the state. The farm also includes a brick smokehouse, tobacco barn, and cabin that belonged to Abraham Lincoln’s uncle.