Daniel Coleman Mitchell (1798 - 1857)

Born 17 Jun 1798 in VA

Ancestors

Descendants

Died 4 Nov 1857 at age 59 in Vic. Wildersville, Henderson Co., TN

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Biography

Los Angeles, California, March 28, 1904

My Dear Children:

In compliance with your request some times since concerning our family tree. Will state the first history we have of our family commences with the arrival from England of two young men, brothers unmarried, by the name of Mitchell. Given names are not known to me. Of Scotch Irish descent, early in the 17th century. Soon after their arrival in this country they settled in Pennsylvania where they both married and moved south. After which for many years we have but little information concerning the two families till my grandfather William Pleasant Mitchell settled in the state of Virginia where my father was born in 1798. When he was 8 years old, his father and family moved to North Carolina and settled near Raleigh in Grandville County, the capital of the state where he grew to manhood. He married Sarah Norphlet Weathers of the same county and state. One year after their marriage the moved to Tennessee carrying all they possessed in a two-horse emigrant wagon. They settled in Henderson County near Lexington where the children were all born and raised except and the oldest child, born in North Carolina. My father had four brothers named as follows: John, Archey, Scott, and Freeman. All married and raised each a family except Freeman who died young, unmarried. My knowledge of my cousins from these families is very limited last information. Some were in Kentucky; others of the Tennessee branch were living at their old homes. My father also had two sisters; one married David Nichols and settled in western Kentucky. Raised a family of several children of whom I have but little knowledge who still lived in Kentucky last report from them. The other sister married David Coleman. They settled in West Tennessee soon after their marriage, near the Kentucky line. Raised a family of children and were living in the same vicinity last information. My grandfather William Pleasant Mitchell and Grandmother Mitchell both lived to be very old. He had no military record that I remember. Possessed considerable wealth at one time but died comparatively poor. My father, Daniel Coleman Mitchell, was a man of extraordinary energy and great thrift. He accumulated a fortune by his own efforts which he at his death left to his family. Unfortunately his wealth was largely invested in slaves, slavery then being in force, which soon after his death proved a total loss to the family, all being given their freedom as a result of the Civil War between the states. He died in November 1857 with typhoid pneumonia. He was buried in Alice Branch cemetery, selected as a burying place for the family. He was 60 years old.

My mother Sarah Norphlet Mitchell was born and raised in Grandville County, North Carolina, near Raleigh the capital of the state. It was a family of some wealth. She was well educated for her day and times. She was selected as first choice in all the contests in the spelling matches between the boys and girls in the academy where she was educated. She was noted during her life for correct spelling. She was the dictionary for the family. I only knew one brother and sister of my mother’s family who lived in Tennessee. There were other brothers and sisters who remained in North Carolina who I have no definite knowledge of. Uncle Charles H. Weathers who moved to our part of Tennessee in 1850. Afterward he removed to Madison County, Tennessee. Settled near a village called Meadon where he received his mail. He was married twice, raised a family of several children by the first wife. No children by the second wife. He devoted his life mainly to farming. Held office in his county several years during his time. I don’t know the date of his death.

Aunt Ann Weathers came out from North Carolina and lived with mother till she married Sam Lesly. They settled in Washington County, Arkansas, near Nashville. Raised a family of several children. Two of the boys became prominent in County and State politics, one filling the highest office in his county; the other being elected several times in his district to the Legislature of his state.

Grandfather Weathers had a military record of which I am not fully advised. He served in the Revolutionary War, in what rank or capacity I have no record. He served as captain in the North Carolina State Militia for several years following the close of the Revolutionary War. Mother was the owner of his silver knee buckles which were worn on parade by the officers at that time when short trousers and long stockings were in use. I have no record of my grandparents on my mother’s side, they having lived and died in North Carolina. My Grandmother Weathers was a Harris of the North Carolina Harris family, from whom the Tennessee branch of the Harris stock sprung. Isoom G. Harris, one of Tennessee’s most brilliant men, was one of the same family. He was governor of Tennessee, then elected United States Senator for several terms which position he filled till the time of his death. My mother died in Princeton, Kentucky, at the age of 65 years. She seemed to be in usual health. Was called for dinner and found dead on her bed. Said to be caused from heart failure. She was buried in the Princeton Kentucky Cemetery. She had sold out her property left after the Civil War between the states including her home in Tennessee and lived with my sister Mrs. Glover, then a resident of Princeton, Kentucky.

Washington Selathril Mitchell, my oldest brother and first child of my father’s family, was born in North Carolina. He grew to manhood on the old home in Tennessee where he was educated in the common schools of the country. He had a great inclination to hold office. Was while quite young he was elected several times to the position of Tax Collector of his county. Served in the Confederate Army as a non-commissioned officer. Was captured by the Federal forces, held as a prisoner for several months. Suffered from exposure and hunger. Contracted a fatal disease during his imprisonment that ended his life soon after his return home. He had been married twice. First wife Miss Ann Eliza Stanford, died with consumption, left three children, all girls. All grew to womanhood and married. The second wife, Miss Mary White, had one child, a girl, who after she finished her education devoted her time to teaching. She was unmarried last report from her. My brother and his first wife were buried in the Douglas Cemetery near where she was raised, Henderson County, Tennessee. Last wife living near Lone Oak, Arkansas last heard from her.

My brother Freeman Allen Mitchell, second child, was born and raised on the Old Home in Henderson County, Tennessee. He was educated with his older brother in the common schools of the county. Died unmarried in April 1852 from the effects of measles at the age of 24 years. He was buried in the Olive Branch Cemetery.

My first sister and third child, Arlenia Parker Mitchell, was educated principally in the County Schools. She took a finishing course in the Lexington Female Seminary. Married Sterling B. Adams, a Methodist minister of more than ordinary ability. He was presiding elder of his district for several years. They had two children, both boys. My sister died leaving them in infancy. She was buried near Shady Grove, Henderson County, Tennessee, leaving her two children to the care of others. Her two boys grew to manhood where their mother had lived and died. William Adams, her oldest son, following the best of mind received from his father’s training. Since the compilation of his education, has devoted all his time to the ministry in his native state Tennessee. Benjamin Franklin Adams of Albuquerque, New Mexico, the youngest, has attained considerable reputation in the west as a successful attorney-at-law.

I,Lafayette Weathers Mitchell, third boy and fourth child, was born and raised on the Old Home. Educated in the common schools of that day. After my school days was employed by my father to assist him in his tobacco business then growing to be very important. He died when I was 22 years old. During the last ten years of his life he established an extensive tobacco business, controlling nearly all the tobacco raised in our part of the country, manufacturing both chewing and smoking tobacco. All this business at his death fell upon me to manage. A responsibility I had not expected and felt unprepared for at the time, but knowing no failure in those days, I took hold of the business with a will and purpose. The business prospered and continued to be a success till the war between the North and South completely destroyed our business with all the accumulated profits of many years’ hard labor. After my return from the war, having served 3 ½ years in the Confederate Army, found all that I had saved and left at home gone. I commenced life anew. Married Miss Mary Lewis Ellison, daughter of Jonathon and Celia Ellison. She was born in Winston County, Mississippi. Her parents moved to Texas when she was six years old. Settled in the San Marcos River Valley then a comparatively new county near the town of San Marcos, Hayo County, Texas. She was educated mainly in the Lochart Female Academy in Caldwell County, near her old home. We were married at 9 o’clock a.m. December 18, 1866 at the home of her parents. Commenced keeping house in our own home January 1, 1867 in the town of San Marcos where I was engaged in the mercantile business. In August 1885 we moved to California. Settled in the City of Los Angeles where my wife died at the age of 44 years. Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Los Angeles, California. The mother of ten children, all born in San Marcos, Texas, except the youngest born in Los Angeles, California. For further information concerning my wife’s genealogy, see the Ellison Family Tree, of which we have a copy and to which reference can be had concerning her family.

The fifth child and second sister, Sarah Ann Mitchell, after her time in the Country Schools took the usual course given to the girls in the Lexington Seminary. Soon after her return from school she had a presentment of her early death. She spoke of it in an impressive manner to me. I thought but little concerning it at the time, not until the fatal hour could I fully realized how seriously she had been impressed with the near approach of her death. She died September 1856. She was buried in Olive Branch Cemetery.

Daniel Christian Mitchell, sixth child, educated mainly in the Country Schools, was my successor in the tobacco business for a brief time till our business was closed by the misfortunes of war. The fact that we three brothers were in the Southern Army created a prejudice against our family and caused our interest at home to be made a special object of destruction by the Federal forces. This brother married Miss Emma Morrow of Princeton, Kentucky, in 1869. Settled in San Marcos, Texas, where he was in the mercantile business, raised a family of several children.

My next sister, the seventh child, Rebecca Jane Mitchell, died soon after reaching mature years, unmarried. She was educated in the Huntington Female Seminary located in Carroll County, Tennessee. She was terribly aggrieved over the destruction of our home. All that appeared to be of interest to her after her return from school. Was swept away by the effects of the horrible war. It seemed to be the immediate cause of her death. She was buried in the Olive Branch Cemetery, the family burying ground.

Francis Harriett Mitchell, sister and eighth child, was educated mainly in the Huntington Female School. The Civil War commenced soon after her return home. She had an experience during the horrors of the war which she often retold. Time never effaced the trying times and terrible trials she experienced, during the war between the states. Soon after the war she married Daniel A. Glover, a successful business man. They settled in Princeton, Kentucky, where he engaged in the mercantile trade. Some years afterward they removed and settled permanently in San Marcos, Texas, where he became interested in the banking business, first as a partner in the Banking House of L.W. Mitchell, then as a long stockholder in the Glovers National Bank of San Marcos, Texas. they raised one boy, Frank D. Glover, now living in Austin, Texas. Mrs. Glover, my sister, was a home loving woman, noted for her management and capacity in the affairs of life. They are both dead. Were buried near Princeton, Kentucky, where also the mother of each is buried.

Christopher Columbus Mitchell, brother and ninth child, received the early part of his education in the School at Miflin, Tennessee, Henderson County. Moved west while a boy. Located in San Marcos, Texas, where he finished his education in the Coronial Institute. After which he clerked for me two years then took an interest with me in the mercantile business. I was conducting at that time. He married Julia Nance in 1870, a very estimable lady. Since her marriage she has become noted for her extraordinary business capacity in the affairs of life. He was a great success in all his business relations. Accumulated a nice little fortune in a few years. Unfortunately he was taken by death from his family when quite a young man, leaving a wife and five children. He was buried in Kyle Cemetery near his home.

William Marian Mitchell, tenth child, the youngest of my Father’s family died at the age of 16 years. Buried in Olive Branch Cemetery where my father and two sisters and two brothers and my Grandmother Mitchell are buried. This burying ground is located near the Olive Branch Methodist Church in Henderson County, Tennessee. My brother was preparing to go to his new home at San Marcos, Texas, where he was to finish his education when the fatal illness ended his life.

This brief history of my father’s and mother’s families and concerning their parents is based mainly on information derived from them. Also some personal knowledge during my life. It is not intended to follow each branch of the Mitchell and Weathers families minutely and all their connections, but to give the main points or facts concerning the genealogy of the family from the date of my Father’s and Mother’s marriage in North Carolina and such data as immediately concern those who wish to know something of our family’s history. Also to form a brief basis for the Mitchell Family tree to be added to at such time as my children may wish.

From your affectionate father,

L.W. Mitchell Los Angeles, California

Birth

17 JUN 1798

VA^[1][2][3]

Death

4 NOV 1857

Vic. Wildersville, Henderson Co., TN^[4][5]

Burial

Olive Br. Cem., NE of Lexington, Henderson Co., TN^[6]

Marriage

FAM

@I5071@

@I5072@

@I5086@

@I5089@

@I5090@

@I5092@

@I5094@

@I5103@

@I5095@

@I5097@

@I5098@

@I5100@

@I5102@

26 APR 1826^[7]

FAM

@I5073@

@I5109@

@I5071@

@I5075@

@I5077@

@I5078@

@I73@

@I5079@

@I5080@

26 OCT 1791

Amelia Co., VA^[8]

Sources

• Source: S276 Author: Mitchell, Lafayette Weathers Title: Letter to Descendants [for Xmas, 1905] Abbreviation: L.W. Mitchell Letter Publication: Unpublished; 28 Mar 1904 Note: A transcription of this document, obtained from Becky Bigers, is in the Notes* section of this database, under the name of Daniel Coleman Mitchell. Italicized: Y Paranthetical: Y
• Source: S277 Author: Bigers, Becky Title: Email, Subject: Nichol/Mitchell Abbreviation: Bigers, Becky Publication: Internet/29 Jul 2006 Note: Ms. Bigers is an avid researcher of this Mitchell line. Repository: #R121 Media: Electronic Italicized: Y Paranthetical: Y
• Repository: R121 Name: R. B. Nichol Genealogical Files E-Mail Address: bransgran2001@yahoo.com
• Source: S509 Author: Hudson, Wesley Thomas Title: Ancestors of Wesley Thomas Hudson Abbreviation: Hudson, Wesley Thomas Publication: Private Internet Site/30 Sep 2003 Note: Author cites no sources; he is unique for having spouses of Evan Mitchell's children. Info should be checked when opportunity presents. jameyandwesley@yahoo.com Repository: #R151 Media: Electronic Italicized: Y Paranthetical: Y
• Repository: R151 Name: http://home.triad.rr.com/wesleyhudson/ghtindex.htm
• Source: S678 Author: Donahue, David (Cemetery Survey) Title: Olive Branch Cemetery, Henderson Co., TN Abbreviation: Donahue, David Publication: TN GenWeb/2002 Note: This cemetery reportedly is located by Olive Branch, off Timberlake Rd. on the western edge of the Natchez Trace State Park. CONT http://www.tngenweb.org/records/henderson/cemeteries/olivebr.htm Italicized: Y Paranthetical: Y

1. ↑ Source: #S276
2. ↑ Source: #S277
3. ↑ Source: #S678
4. ↑ Source: #S277
5. ↑ Source: #S678
6. ↑ Source: #S678
7. ↑ Source: #S276
8. ↑ Source: #S509

Acknowledgments

Thank you to Bob Nichol for creating WikiTree profile Mitchell-4834 through the import of Nichol Ancestry.GED on Feb 14, 2013.

Click to the Changes page for the details of edits by Bob and others.