James Irvin Newton

So we have some unusual family history on the Millard/Bradley side that I have found very interesting and I thought there would be others who would love to know this as well.
Born in 1819 James Irvin Newton, my 2nd Great Grandfather, fought with Kentucky's 12th Regiment during the Civil war he fought on the Union while two of his sons fought in the confederate side. Upon his return home to Meadeville KY, his trade was working as a blacksmith, he was called outside of his home by some night-riders and was shot and killed leaving behind 9 children and his wife. It is said on that night that a man walked up to the porch and shook hands with James with one hand while with his other hand he shot him in the face.Speculation over why he was killed vary's to this day but what is true is that the family, who were Catholic, felt that if they buried him inside of the Catholic Church Graveyard that the night-riders may ransack the grave if discovered so they hurriedly buried him instead in the Baptist Cemetery that was locate across from there home. The cemetery fell into despair until 1994 following a Newton/Rhodes family renuion they started to restore the old cemetery. It had  brush up to 6 feet tall and headstones trampled by cattle daily and it was almost unrecognizable but that didn't deter Jane Meador Newton, Louise Newton Kendall and Ben Newton. Ben continued work on the cemetery until he was unable too and others took up the cause to see the cemetery brought back to the way it was. One man who helped greatly was Dan Redenius & stone sculptor Don Lawer who made the road that now leads to the cemetery and a stone to mark James grave. My mom has for years wanted to visit this site but was unable to find it and as of this week I was finally able to locate someone who could give me direct directions to this cemetery and we hope to visit it soon. James is also recognized in Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville where there is a marker for him in there military section and we hope to find it soon. My only wish is that I had a photo to go with these headstones. These stories, and I am hoping more like it, is what keeps me going on the quest. It is so neat to find these tidbits into my family past and to  not only remember them but to share them and hope they get passed down.