Rebecca Cunningham was born in Hardy Co, VA (now WV), the only natural child of Isaac Cunningham (1778–1842) and his wife Sarah "Sally" Harness (1783–1845). The Cunningham family moved to Clark Co, KY in 1802.

Rebecca was an only child but was not reared like one - her parents raised a lrge extended family including the orphaned son of his sister Nancy, George Grimes; his sister Elizabeth Scott's 5 children, his wife's twin sister Hannah Hull's 3 children, and a boy named Thos. Landrum (1810-1862), whom they adopted and renamed Thos. Cunningham.

Rebecca was married 17 Jun 1817 to Isaac Van Meter (1794–1854). He, too, came from Hardy County, VA and was her father's business partner.

Isaac & Rebecca were the parents of a houseful of children who grew to adulthood, and others lost in infancy or childhood.

1. Solomon Van Meter 1818-1859, h/o 1) Elizabeth Mason Stonestreet, 2) Lucy M Hockaday, 3) Martha Coleman Prewitt;
2. Isaac Cunningham Van Meter 1820–1898, h/o Frances H Hull;
3. Jacob Van Meter 1822–1849, h/o Florida Miles;
4. Sarah Ann Van Meter 1825–1844, w/o Dr John R Hall;
5. Susan Tabitha Van Meter 1827–1907, w/o Dr. Algernon Sidney Allan;
6. Benjamin Franklin Van Meter 1834-1927; h/o Amelia Clay Lewis;
7. Thomas Cunningham Van Meter 1835-1904; h/o Orpah Campbell; Both buried in Henry Co, KY (FAG 13711210)
8. Abram Van Meter 1839-1911; h/o Ann Elizabeth "Annie" Keiser; Cooke Co, TX (FAG 13711210)
9. Lewis Marshall Van Meter 1841–1924, h/o Anna Evelyn Moore;
10. John Milton Van Meter 1842-1925, h/o Mary Alice Yerkes.

They lost five children: an infant daughter in 1823 (lived 5 days), Rebecca Hannah 1829-1847, Amanda Ellen 1830-1831, William Cunningham 1832-1844, Eliza Caroline 1837–1841.