Lancaster family papers

Abstract

The Lancaster family papers (dated 1780-1916, undated; 1.35 cubic feet; 3 boxes) consists of letters and business papers, which document the Lancaster family of Georgetown, Kentucky.

Descriptive Summary

Title
Lancaster family papers
Date
1780-1916, undated (inclusive)
Extent
1.35 Cubic Feet
Subjects
Business records -- Kentucky -- Lexington.
Merchants.
Hotelkeepers.
Dry-goods -- Kentucky -- Georgetown.
Registers of births, etc. -- Kentucky.
Business records -- Kentucky -- Georgetown.
Deeds.
Arrangement
The collection is arranged by format.
Finding Aid Author
Ida Sell
Preferred Citation
65m200: [Identification of item] Lancaster family papers, 1780-1916, undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.
Repository
University of Kentucky

Collection Overview

Biography / History
George Lancaster, a native of New Hampshire, moved to Kentucky in his youth and opened a dry goods business in 1853. Thirty years later, he built the Lancaster Hotel in Georgetown. The hotel was managed by W.A. Rodgers, whose wife was named Pearl.
Scope and Content
The Lancaster family papers (dated 1780-1916, undated; 1.35 cubic feet; 3 boxes) consists of letters and business papers, which document the Lancaster family of Georgetown, Kentucky. Among the business papers are account books, promissory notes, cancelled checks, deeds and receipts, which deal with family finances as well as the finances of the Lancaster Hotel, in Georgetown, Kentucky. Also included is a register of births, marriages, and deaths. The collection also includes papers for Pearl Rodgers, the wife of W.A. Rodgers who managed the Lancaster Hotel. The collection also contains the papers of Ruth Adams Smith, who was married to Isaac Y. Smith, a Lexington coal operator. Others mentioned in this subgroup include Mattie Rice, a dressmaker, and the Doyle family of Lexington.

Restrictions on Access and Use

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open to researchers by appointment.
Use Restrictions
The physical rights to the materials in this collection are held by the University of Kentucky Special Collections Research Center.

Contents of the Collection

Lancaster family record, 1780-1865

  • Box 1, folder 1
To top

George Lancaster certificates, deeds, and receipts, 1869-1890

  • Box 1, folder 2-3
To top

George Lancaster certificates, receipts and will, 1891-1904

  • Box 1, folder 4-5
To top

Hotel banquet programs, ledgers, and receipts, 1905-1916

  • Box 1, folder 6-7
To top

Ledgers and receipts, undated

  • Box 1, folder 8
To top

Account book, 1902-1908

  • Box 1, folder 9
To top

Account book, 1907-1909

  • Box 2, folder 1
To top

Pearl Rodgers correspondence and receipts, 1905-1906

  • Box 2, folder 2
To top

Ruth Adams Smith correspondence and calling cards, 1834-1859

  • Box 2, folder 3-4
To top

Ruth Adams Smith correspondence, 1860-1909

  • Box 2, folder 5-6
To top

Ruth Adams Smith bills and receipts, 1892-1895

  • Box 2, folder 7
  • Box 3, folder 1
To top

Ruth Adams Smith bills and receipts, 1896-1908

  • Box 3, folder 2
To top

Calling cards, undated

  • Box 3, folder 3
To top

Ruth Adams Smith correspondence, undated

  • Box 3, folder 4
To top

Adams family records, 1822-1857

  • Box 3, folder 5
To top

Frank, Bessie and Earl Smith bills and receipts, 1893-1907

  • Box 3, folder 6
To top

Mattie Rice bills and receipts, 1900-1909

  • Box 3, folder 7
To top

Doyle family postcards, 1906-1914

  • Box 3, folder 8
To top

Special Collections Research Center - Closed

The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.

Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.

Contact SCRC with questions.

You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.

Special Collections Research Center - Closed

The Breckinridge Research Room will be closed starting May 11, 2026, and anticipates re-opening Fall semester 2026 in an alternate location for the duration of the King Library renovation.

Reproduction requests will still be available during the closure.

Contact SCRC with questions.

Requests

No items have been requested.



Submit a request for SCRC materials.




You may come across language in UK Libraries Special Collections Research Center collections and online resources that you find harmful or offensive. SCRC collects materials from different cultures and time periods to preserve and make available the historical record. These materials document the time period when they were created and the view of their creator. As a result, some may demonstrate racist and offensive views that do not reflect the values of UK Libraries.

If you find description with problematic language that you think SCRC should review, please contact us at SCRC@uky.edu.