GOODNIGHT FAMILY GRAVEYARD, 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. His family home in Three Forks, Warren County, Kentucky was in early 1930s photos shown as a two-story brick home with chimneys on each end of the house. Isaac is said to have made each brick by hand that went to build this home. A small covered porch adorned the front, and a root cellar was at one end of the house, also with a fireplace. Other frame buildings were added, one of which is visible in an old photograph of the home. This building appears to be living quarters as well and could possibly attach to the house. The photos were taken in fall or winter. Dried corn stalks are seen standing in the field, right up to the side of the house. The house burned down since the photos were made. Across from the barn lot, on a hill, is the Goodnight family graveyard. Isaac Goodnight's 21 children were raised here. The tall painted monument to Isaac Goodnight is located at the family cemetery at Three Forks. 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. 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. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by: Margaret R. Bates < mrbates@swbell.net > ====================================================================