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Originally born in New York City, Richard Southgate came to Newport from Richmond, Virginia in 1795. In October 1797, he was licensed to practice law in the court of Kentucky; appointed Commonwealth Attorney for Campbell County in 1798. He was State Representative in 1803 and Senator from 1817-1821. He undertook the manufacture of silk and on January 21, 1854, received the silver medal for perfection and general excellence of silk at the New York Crystal Palace exhibition of the industry of all nations (the so-called World's Fair).

Richard built the Southgate House about 1814 to replace the log or frame dwelling his family had inhabited for the past two decades. This comfortable beamed two-story home was built according to Southgate family tradition by British prisoners of the War of 1812 confined in Newport. When originally built, the Southgate House occupied a full city block. The largest local dwelling was then a two-story, wood frame home built by General Taylor at modern Third and Overton about 1812. Completion of the Southgate House deemed it the second largest dwelling in the area.

The Southgate House may have contributed to the success of the Texan War for Independence. It is believed that a company of 50 men led by Captain Sherman, left on December 30, 1835 to assist Anglo-Americans who were battling Santa Ana. The night before their departure, the soldiers were treated to a night of extravagance at the Southgate home. This company was partly responsible for the success in the Battle of San Jacinto, which produced the capture of Santa Ana and Texas' independence.

About 1856, Abraham Lincoln, who was in later years to become President of the United States, was a visitor of Richard Southgate in his Newport home.

Richard and Ann Winston (Hinde) Southgate had many children. Following in their father's footsteps was William Wright Southgate, whose achievements include lawyer, State Representative (1827-1832-1836) and U.S. Congressman in 1837. Their son Edward Lush Southgate became a Methodist minister. Their daughter, Ann Hinde Southgate, and son-in- law Dr. Nathanial Buger Shaler (surgeon at the Newport Barracks), were the parents of Nathanial Southgate Shaler, noted geologist, teacher and historian.

Richard died in July of 1857 at the age of 83, willing his home to his daughter, Frances Mary Tariaferro Parker. It is believed that Mrs. Parker had this house remodeled to modernize it; adding the entrance tower topped with a widow's walk and the Mansard roof.

Mrs. Parker in 1869, deeded the house to her daughter Julia, reserving for herself the use of the home for her natural life. Ten years later, she reserved for herself, "that part of my homestead which lies east of the Main Hall being two rooms and cellar, together with the free and uninterrupted use of the halls."

On May 31, 1888, Julia, sold the home to Fannie Maddux, wife of Lewis O. Maddux. In this dwelling, on May 28, 1894, the Keturah Moss Taylor Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution was founded. This was the first chapter in Northern Kentucky and the second in the state.

Brig. Gen. John Tariaferro Thompson, the inventor of the Thompson Machine Gun was born here on December 31, 1860. He was the son of Julia (Tariaferro) and James Thompson of the U.S. Army.

Thompson graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in 1882. He retired in 1914 as a colonel, but was recalled to active duty in World War I as chief of the small arms division, rising to the rank of brigadier general.

He invented several semi-automatic rifles, but it was in 1920 when he developed the submachine gun that was named after him. The "Tommy Gun" was first used by U.S. Marines in Nicaragua in 1925. In England, during 1928 General Thompson was awarded $15,000 by the British War Office for the 'Most Satisfactory Rifle' submitted in a competition. With modification, the weapon was used by the United States and her allies in World War II.

The General Thompson's "Tommy Gun" became an American legend due to its connection with the Mafia underworld in the 1920s. Fictitiously in the least, it was known as the "Chicago piano" and the "typewriter" which was carried in a violin case by thugs and hijackers of the Capone era. It is believed to be one of the weapons used in the gangland St. Valentine's Day Massacre in Chicago.

General Thompson died on June 21, 1940, and was buried in West Point. His father, a Regular Army officer, was stationed at local Newport Army Barracks more than a century ago.

For more information on General Thompson and the Thompson Machine Gun, check out The Unofficial Tommy Gun Page.

The Knights of Columbus Home Company of Campbell County, purchased the Southgate House in August 1914. They added the brick porch and a large room in the rear of the house. A fire occurred on Thanksgiving day, November 25, 1948, destroying the back addition. Shortly afterward, a new one was constructed.

The Southgate mansion, still overlooks Third Street, although greatly altered, it was Newport's first truly grand home.

Presently the Southgate House is nationaly recognized as one of the premier music venues in the country and has been incredibly supportive of the local music scene. It has been called "one of the best places to hear live music for its intimate setting and cozy sound". The first floor a.k.a Junie's Lounge gives visitors an opportunity for a game of pool and play some tunes on the landmark jukebox. The Ballroom located downstairs, features a bar and balcony for larger performances. There is also a parlour on the second floor for more intimate and personal performances.