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Unbeknownst to many, the final home 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, this is no longer the case. Now you can visit the cemetery and discover all the secrets, legends and memories it holds.
In these uncertain times, keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket-to-visit list at a later date.
Because it is located on private property, it has been closed to the public for over 100 years! Fortunately, that changed in 2016, when the Newt Knight Preservation Society started offering tours of the historic cemetery.
Knight, a struggling farmer who did not own slaves and did not grow cotton, felt that the Civil War was not his war to wage. For Knight, the last straw came in 1862, when the Confederacy passed a law that exempted men with 20 or more slaves from battle. Marre, Knight and a group of about 125 men from Jones County form the Knight Company and attempt to separate from Confederacy. The story of Knight and his men was portrayed on the big screen in the 2016 film, “The Free State of Jones”.
Knight being buried next to his wife may seem pretty standard; However, it was actually a provocative 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.
It has 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 certain dates throughout the year. Tours last one hour and must be booked in advance.
Keep in mind that the Knight Family Cemetery is on private property, so you can’t visit it whenever you want. The only way to see the cemetery in person is to book a tour, which you can do here.
So, did you know this hidden and historic cemetery? Have you ever visited the Knight Family Cemetery? Do you know of another fascinating site hidden in the woods? If so, tell us!
It is not the only isolated cemetery in the state. Click here to learn more about a ghost town cemetery with a spooky history.
Address: 84 Co Rd 5335, Laurel, MS 39443, United States
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