Near Tompkinsville in Monroe County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Five Generations of Gospel Preachers
1st Generation Philip Mulkey (1732-1801) Philip was raised in the Episcopal faith but was "born again” under the influence of Separate Baptist preacher Shubal Stearns in 1756. He was ordained the following year. Philip was a leader in the establishment and expansion of the Baptist faith in South Carolina where he was personally involved in the founding of a dozen or more churches.
2nd Generation Jonathan Mulkey (1752-1826) Jonathan is credited as the first Baptist preacher in Tennessee. Jonathan, his father, and brother Philip Jr. joined the Virginia Militia and fought with Col. William Christian in his expedition against the Cherokees. Jonathan was the pastor at Buffalo Ridge (Tennessee) for over 40 years. When he became too old and feeble to preach standing, the church made him a suitable and easy pulpit-chair from which he could deliver his sermons.
3rd Generation John Mulkey (1773-1844) John was a popular circuit preacher and active participant in several Kentucky Baptist associations. Isaac Newton Jones described him as medium height, slightly corpulent and a graceful horseback rider. "...his musical voice, aided by ideality, sublimity and an easy flow of language, readily fixed the attention of an audience; and when desirable he could carry away his hearers by a whirlwind of natural eloquence. These traits are inherited by the whole family".
4th Generation Philip Mulkey (1802-1893) Philip left Kentucky and moved up into Missouri where he preached for some years before leading a wagon train to Oregon in 1853. He was one of the earliest settlers in Eugene, where he preached for 40 years.
Dr. Isaac Mulkey (1804-1884) Isaac was a physician as well as a preacher. He moved to lllinois and became the family physician for the family of Adlai Stevenson. He founded the Disciples Church in Carbondale.
John Newton Mulkey (1806-1882) John Newton became a popular evangelist in Kentucky, Tennessee and Southern IIlinois. In 1855 at a meeting in nearby Celina Tennessee, he "immersed 105 people in five days". In his later years he confined his work to the Warren County (KY) Cooperation and the Kentucky Christian Missionary Board.
James Mulkey (1809-7???) James is listed on the 1850 Census as being a minister of the Christian Church in Dade County Missouri.
5th Generation Barton Warren Stone Mulkey (1806-1882 John Newton's son) Barton was named for his father's famed preacher friend, Barton Warren Stone. He homesteaded land near Norton Kansas. Before his death when his eyesight was failing, his daughter Lydia would go into the pulpit with him and read the scriptures.
John F. Mulkey (1830-1903 James' son) John F. went to Oregon in 1853. He enlisted in Company A Oregon Volunteers and was a soldier in the Yakima Indian wars. His pension report lists him as a miner, farmer, preacher and teacher.
Taken from "The, Mulkey's of America” by Philip Mulkey Hunt.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Churches & Religion.
Location. 36° 40.671′ N, 85° 42.442′ W. Marker is near Tompkinsville, Kentucky, in Monroe County. Marker can be reached from Old Mulkey Park Road. Located at the Old Mulkey Meetinghouse State Historic Site. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 38 Old Mulkey Park Rd, Tompkinsville KY 42167, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Ephraim Dicken (here, next to this marker); Revolutionary War Veterans (here, next to this marker); William & Jane (Hart) Howard (here, next to this marker); Hannah Boone (a few steps from this marker); The Meetinghouse (within shouting distance of this marker); James & Mary Howard Chism (within shouting distance of this marker); William & Jane Hart Howard (within shouting distance of this marker); The Book of Records (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Tompkinsville.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 20, 2021. It was originally submitted on October 16, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 290 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on October 16, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 3. submitted on October 17, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. • Mark Hilton was the editor who published this page.