Forest Retreat

Situated on the Lexington-Mayvillie Pike, is the low, gabled, story-and-a-half dwelling, the old home of Thomas Metcalfe, 10th governor of Ky. Owned now by Dr. and Mrs. Eslie Asbury the farm is now a successful race horse farm.

Thursday afternoon, Aug. 8, 1974, Naomi Dale and Thelma Standiford asked and received permission to visit the gravesite of the only governor that served the Commonwealth Of Kentucky from Nicholas County, This family graveyard is located a top the hill at Forest Retreat. It is enclosed in a wall of well constructed stone, in excellent condition. The entrance is though two iron gates between two square stone pillars. To get to this lovely repose you travel though the beautiful flower garden, with numerous types of trees and flowers that nod in welcome and adeau.

Within this stone fence the tomb of Governor Metcalfe and family is within an iron fence, well painted black. Inside the iron enclosure along side of the big tombstone we found a slab, we could not see the lettering or figures. It is supposed this is the grave of an infant.

The tombstone inscription reads:

To the memory of Thomas Metcalfe, who was a captain in the War of 1812, A member of the Kentucky Legislature many years, Nine years a Representative in Congress, Two years U. S. Senator, Governor of Kentucky from 1828-1832.

Thomas Metcalfe b. Mch. 20, 1780-d. Aug. 18, 1855

Governor Metcalfe's inscription is on the outside of the tombstone toward the fence. On the reverse side toward the center, we read:

To the memory of Nancy Metcalfe, wife of Governor Thomas Matcalfe,

died June 19,1852 in the 63rd year of her age.

Other monuments within the stone enclosure:

Ada Gaunce Asbury, 1876-1963

Dr. William Frances Asbury, b. Nov. 8, 1874 d. Sep. 11, 1948

Henry Knight Steart, Oct. 27, 1898-Aug 9,1958

Bela-son of Ben T. Metcalfe, died Aug. 10, 1840 age ca 3 years.

Jana Lee, wife of John P. Campbell and dau. of Gen. Thos. Metcalfe, died Jan 10, 1838~ age 25 years.

Mellville Metcalfe, sept. 21, 1800-Sep.13,1877

Mary A., dau of T. and N Metcalfe and wife of J.P Campbell, died April 5 1857 age 35 years.

Andrew P. McIlvane, dies April 12,1852, 46 years, 7 months, 13 days.

Theo son of J.P. and M.A Campbell, died 1885, ages 40 years.

Part of an old stone that was broken and on the wall-Nov.1,1841

Stones more recent the size of footsones placed in the corner of the stone enclosure- in memory of their horses:

Brown Biscuit (1936-1963) sir Andrew~Swing On by Wisk Broom~ II

Koubis (1946-1954) by * Mahmoud~ Brown Biscuit. Dam of Determine, Winner of Kentucky Derby.1954

Gala Belle (1937-1959) by *Sir Galahad III~Belle Tempo

Data compiled by Mrs. Thelma Standiford and Mrs. Naomi Dale.

from the book "History of Nicholas County"