Goodnight Family Graveyard
Three Forks, Warren County, Kentucky
Isaac Goodnight's family were early day settlers of Kentucky.
His father, Michael Goodnight, was killed by Indians near Harlan's
Station, and Isaac was born after this death. Although he is reputed
to be the "first white child born in Kentucky," settlers had been
arriving at Harlan's Station for ten years, and it would be
illogical to presume no children were born.
Isaac Goodnight settled in Warren
County, Kentucky, soon after his marriage to Elizabeth McMurry on 5
September 1805.
Near their home at Three Forks was the family graveyard, where is
located a tall painted monument to Isaac Goodnight. Three of his wives,
Elizabeth McMurray, Mary Ground, and Rodah Gadberry, are also buried
there. Some family members believe his fourth wife, Frances Dickerson,
is also buried here, but there is no proof of this. In addition to being inscribed
on Isaac's stone, Elizabeth also has a second marker.
Isaac's stone lists his birth and death dates,
and also says, "Initiated into the Masonic Fraternity in 1822," and
"He professed faith in Christ and united with the Baptist Church in
1908." Near the top of the spire is the Masonic emblem.
There are 15 known graves in the cemetery:
NEAL, Benjamin 28 Aug 1908 - 13 Aug 1836
WHEATLEY, Mary Neal 13 Jun 1813 - 30 Dec 1862
GADBURY, Sarah 25 Feb 1776 - 3 Feb 1858
LAWRENCE, Anna 1891 - 1892 (dau of J. D. Lawrence)
GOODNIGHT, Robert 22 Sep 1837 - 20 Mar 1838
GOODNIGHT, H. H. 21 Apr 1834 - 4 Jan 1895
GOODNIGHT, I. H. 5 Feb 1848 - 13 May 1901
GOODNIGHT, Isaac 1 Jan 1782 - 14 Oct 1869
GOODNIGHT, Elizabeth (McMurray) 23 Apr 1787 - 29 Sep 1827
GOODNIGHT, Mary (Ground) 29 May 1800 - 29 Nov 1848
GOODNIGHT, Rodah (Gadberry) 10 Mar 1774 - 9 Apr 1860
GOODNIGHT, Emily N. 3 Oct 1830 - 8 May 1907
RECTOR, Charles 29 Sep 1833 - 4 Jun 1898
MOULDER, Mary (Goodnight) 12 Sep 1874 - 25 Mar 1904
MOULDER, Myrtle (Dunn) 2 Jan 1885 - 29 Oct 1908
The two Moulder women are two of the three wives of Jake Moulder. Mary was first, Myrtle was second, third was Lotty Lawrence, daughter of John A. & Cynthia Payne Lawrence. one of Jake's sisters married Johnny Phillips and lived on the Goodnight farm.
After Mr. Johnny died, Miss Mondy had a home for life. When she moved from an old log house, which was probably the original home, the house and grounds reverted back to the Goodnight family.
The photos below show a 2006 revitalization of the old Goodnight Burial Ground.
Maxie Ground and his family took on the task of spraying the tall weeds to try and rid the cemetery of the vines, poison ivy, and volunteer trees. They will resow grass seeds in the fall.
This unusual family's efforts are greatly appreciated by descendants living far from the resting place of their ancestors.
Photos Courtesy of Nancy Stacker
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