10th Kentucky Governor Thomas Metcalfe made an impressive mark on the Commonwealth both politically and architecturally. Metcalfe’s beginnings as a humble stonemason and later as a fierce politician left him with a well-earned nickname, “Old Stone Hammer.”
Raised in modest settings in Kentucky and his native Virginia, Metcalfe was apprenticed to learn the stonemasonry trade at age 16. Soon established as a sought-after artisan, Metcalfe built Watkins’ tavern for Henry Clay’s mother & stepfather, the old Kentucky Governor’s Mansion, and the still-standing Green County Courthouse. Twigmore, sold by Kirkpatrick & Co., too, is a testament to his craft.
“Tom, you have here a veritable forest retreat.”
One of two homes he built for himself, his Carlisle, Kentucky estate earned its name, “Forest Retreat,” after a visit from friend & colleague Henry Clay. Clay, admiring the rolling, canopied lawn, had praised it, saying, “Tom, you have here a veritable forest retreat.”
After his service as a Captain in the War of 1812, Metcalfe served in both the Kentucky House of Representatives and U.S. House of Representatives. In 1828, he was elected following a brutal campaign. The outgoing governor, Joseph DeSha, insisted that a tradesman like Metcalfe was ill-qualified for the governorship. Opponents went so far as to circulate criticisms of the quality of his stonework itself.
“They may say what they like about my views, but the first man that dares to attack my character, I will cleave his skull with my stone hammer, as I would cleave a rock.”
Metcalfe was incensed, responding, “They may say what they like about my views, but the first man that dares to attack my character, I will cleave his skull with my stone hammer, as I would cleave a rock.” His response solidified his nickname of “Old Stone Hammer,” with Metcalfe proudly claiming his profession, rather than having it reduced to an epithet.
Metcalfe’s victory was narrow and for a time, Governor DeSha refused to concede the election and vacate the Governor’s Mansion. Finally, in September of 1828, Metcalfe took up residence in the home he had built over thirty years before.
As governor, Metcalfe was deeply concerned with the Commonwealth’s infrastructure helping establish the Shelbyville-Louisville Road and Lexington-Maysville Turnpike, and commissioning the first railroad in Kentucky. Metcalfe was also interested in providing public schooling for Kentucky’s youth after a report showed fewer than 1 in 3 children received any formalized education at all.
Thomas Metcalfe died August 18, 1855 of cholera after a long life of service at his “Forest Retreat.” He rests there today, amidst the verdant Nicholas County land he so prized.
