One of the most interesting residences in Kentucky is "Federal Hill," the old Rowan homestead, about half a mile east of Bardstown, near the Springfield turnpike. The dwelling is a massive structure of brick, with heavy paneled doors, high-ceiled rooms and elaborately carved mantle-pieces. Through its center runs a wide hallway containing a colonial staircase. The building is situated on an eminence and commands a splendid view of the surrounding country. The wide lawn is covered with a magnificent growth of shade trees, and in summer is one of the most beautiful and inviting places in the country.

The original Rowan farm consisted of over five hundred acres.186 acres of which was purchased by Judge Rowan from John Calhoun in 1796; subsequently 324 acres adjoining were bought from [line of text unreadable] Upon the first purchase the family dwelling was erected between 1795-7; consequently it has the distinction of being one of the oldest brick houses in the State.

John Rowan's father, William Rowan, was a native of Pennsylvania, and was of Scotch-Irish extraction. He came to Kentucky at the close of the Revolutionary war and settled near Louisville, then a small village. In the spring of 1784, when John was about eleven years old, his father made a settlement at the Long Falls of Green River, a hundred miles from any other white settlement. While en route to this place Rowan and his party were attacked at night by Indians from whom they had a narrow escape. Shortly after establishing the settlement on Green River the Rowans removed to Bardstown, on account of the superior educational advantages, the elder Rowan desiring to equip his son, who at that time was a delicate boy, for one of the professions. In the classical school of Dr. Priestly the youth learned rapidly, and in 1795 was admitted to the Bardstown bar, then one of the strongest in the Western country. About this time he married and erected the stately mansion known as "Federal Hill."

His advancement in public life was remarkable, and he served his country in various positions of trust and honor until his death, which occurred in Louisville July 18, 1843, he being then in his seventieth year. It is chronicled by those who were his contemporaries that Judge Rowan was by nature an aristocrat: courteous to his equals, but forbidding in his manner to his inferiors. In person he was a large, broad-shouldered man, over six feet in height. He possessed great physical strength, and endurance and was famous for his marksmanship with the rifle. Old Ben Hardin dubbed him the "Monarch" and it is said the soubriquet was highly appropriate.

During Judge Rowan's occupancy of "Federal Hill" some of the most distinguished men of the country were entertained there, among whom may be mentioned Henry Clay, James Monroe, Gov. Metcalfe, John Crittenden, Old Ben Hardin, James Guthrie, William Duvall, Gov. Wickliffe, James K. Polk and many others. Stephen Foster and his sister were frequent guests at Federal Hill, and it was there that the former's world famous song, "My Old Kentucky Home," was written.

In the yard, between the residence and the Springfield turnpike, are the ruins of an old stone springhouse, which was once two stories high. Judge Rowan's law office was in the second story, and here, as pupils of Rowan, such renowned lawyers as James Guthrie, Judge Pirtle and Gov. Powell began their legal educations. Judge Rowan frequently entertained his friends in this springhouse.

Judge Rowan was the owner of numerous slaves and during the cholera epidemic in 1833 the old place was the scene of devastation. Five members of the Rowan family and twenty three negroes were dead at one time in the house. Judge Rowan is buried in a lot near the old homestead. He requested that no monument be reared to his memory, but some years ago his family erected a simple shaft with an urn on its top. A strange thing about the urn is that three times it has been thrown off by the branches of the willow tree that grows over the grave. In some way the branches entwined themselves about it and threw it down, so that now the urn has been taken off altogether, and the tree has been shorn of nearly all its branches.

At Judge Rowan's death his estate, which was entailed, passed to his eldest son, John, who was also a lawyer and a man of considerable prominence, being United States Minister to Italy during President Polk's administration. Like his father, he was a dead shot. He fought a duel, his antagonist being the renowned Tom Marshall. The latter was shot in the leg and rendered a cripple for life. Young Rowan's wife was a Miss Rebecca Carnes, who came from a distinguished Maryland family. She was noted for her queenly manner and gracious hospitality. She long occupied "Federal Hill," where she died several years ago. The old homestead is now occupied by the late Mrs. Rowan's daughter, Mrs. Madge Frost, who some years ago wedded Mr. John Frost, of St. Louis.

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