Unbeknownst to many, the final resting place of Newton Knight, one of the state’s most legendary residents, is nestled deep in the woods of rural Mississippi. The historic cemetery has been closed to the public for years. However, that’s no longer the case. Now, you can actually tour the cemetery and learn about all the secrets, legends, and memories it holds.
The Knight Family Cemetery is hidden within the Piney Woods, just outside of Jones County.
google.com Because it’s located on private property, it’s been closed to the public for over 100 years! Luckily, though, that changed in 2016, when the Newt Knight Preservation Society began offering tours of the historic cemetery.
A former Jones County resident, Newton “Newt” Knight is most known for leading a revolt against the Confederacy.
Public Domain/Wikimedia Knight, a struggling farmer, who didn’t own slaves or grow cotton, felt as if the Civil War wasn’t his war to fight. For Knight, the final straw came in 1862, when the Confederacy passed a law that exempted men with 20 slaves or more from battle. Fed up, Knight and a group of about 125 men from Jones County formed the Knight Company and attempted to secede from the Confederacy. The story of Knight and his men was depicted on the big screen in the 2016 film, “The Free State of Jones.”
When Knight died of natural causes on February 16, 1922, he was laid to rest alongside his common-law wife, Rachel.
Greg Boutwell/Google Knight being buried next to his wife might seem pretty standard; however, it was actually a defiant move – and that’s because Rachel was of African-American descent, and at the time of Knight’s death, it was illegal for whites and Blacks to be buried in the same cemetery.
Newt and Rachel Knight aren’t the only ones buried in the cemetery, though.
Greg Boutwell/Google
At the back of the cemetery, there are several graves marked by piles of rocks.
Greg Boutwell/Google According to local lore, the inhabitants are children who died of typhoid fever while their families were traveling through the area. Feeling empathy for them, Knight generously offered his family cemetery to the grieving parents.
It’s also been speculated that a few Confederate soldiers, who died after being captured by the Knight Company, occupy some of the graves in the cemetery.
The Knight Family Cemetery is an incredible piece of history that everyone should see for themselves – and luckily, you can!
Greg Boutwell/Google The Newt Knight Preservation Society offers cemetery tours on select dates throughout the year. Tours last one hour and must be booked in advance.
Remember, the Knight Family Cemetery is on private property, so you can’t visit anytime you want. The only way to see the graveyard in person is by booking a tour, which you can do here.
google.com
Because it’s located on private property, it’s been closed to the public for over 100 years! Luckily, though, that changed in 2016, when the Newt Knight Preservation Society began offering tours of the historic cemetery.
Public Domain/Wikimedia
Knight, a struggling farmer, who didn’t own slaves or grow cotton, felt as if the Civil War wasn’t his war to fight. For Knight, the final straw came in 1862, when the Confederacy passed a law that exempted men with 20 slaves or more from battle. Fed up, Knight and a group of about 125 men from Jones County formed the Knight Company and attempted to secede from the Confederacy. The story of Knight and his men was depicted on the big screen in the 2016 film, “The Free State of Jones.”
Greg Boutwell/Google
Knight being buried next to his wife might seem pretty standard; however, it was actually a defiant move – and that’s because Rachel was of African-American descent, and at the time of Knight’s death, it was illegal for whites and Blacks to be buried in the same cemetery.
According to local lore, the inhabitants are children who died of typhoid fever while their families were traveling through the area. Feeling empathy for them, Knight generously offered his family cemetery to the grieving parents.
It’s also been speculated that a few Confederate soldiers, who died after being captured by the Knight Company, occupy some of the graves in the cemetery.
The Newt Knight Preservation Society offers cemetery tours on select dates throughout the year. Tours last one hour and must be booked in advance.
So, did you know about this hidden and historic graveyard? Ever toured the Knight Family Cemetery? Know of another intriguing site hiding in the woods? If so, tell us!
This isn’t the only secluded cemetery in the state. Click here to read about a ghost town cemetery with a bone-chilling story.
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Address: 84 Co Rd 5335, Laurel, MS 39443, USA
