Joshua Mitchell

MITCHELL LINES IN BOONE COUNTY, WEST VIRGINIA by Agnes Branch Peariman

FAMILY ORIGINS

To find the roots of the Mitchell families in Boone County, West Virginia, one must look not only to the British Isles but to the European continent as well. Indeed, the Mitchells with French ancestry settled in the county earlier than did those of Scotish lineage although branches of both groups had homes there before 1850. It was apparently not until the twentieth century that significant numbers of Mitchells unrelated to either of the earlier two lines came into the area.

Establishing homes primarily on Turtle Creek were numerous descendants of Joshua Michel, who arrived from France for military service during the American Revolution and who chose afterwards to remain in Virginia.

Settling on Pond Fork, a more easterly branch 0f Little Coal River, were some descendants off Archelaus Mitchell, who also contributed to the Revolutionary cause and whose Scotch forebears were among the landed in Colonial America.

Whether originally spelled Michel, Michael, Michiel, Michaux, Mitchel, Mitchell, or with another variation, the surname in West Virginia usually appears as Mitchell-regardless of national origin of the immigrant. Tracing the following genealogies would have been simplified had there been distinctions in spelling. Nonetheless, it has been possible to identify most of the nineteenth century Mitchell residents of Boone County by utilizing all available sources: family traditions, Bible entries, cemetery engravings, articles, manuscripts, correspondence, military papers, and such county records as deeds, vital registers, court minutes, and probate documents.

Special thanks and credit go to several members of the Boone County Genealogical Society who made their notes and files available: Janet Hager, James E. Richardson, and Glenn Roberts, all descendants of Joshua Michel; and Sigfus Olafson, whose expertise and generosity have repeatedly proved of benefit to the author in her genealogical research.

It is hoped that accuracy and completeness have been achieved for the generations presented; if not, corrections and additions are welcomed. No attempt has been made to follow all descendants of Joshua and Archelaus since the emphasis is on those who carried the Mitchell name and, except for the progenitors, on those who lived in Boone County.

THE FRENCHMAN BECOMES AN AMERICAN

Joshua Michel, born about 1757 near Paris, France, died in Monroe County, West Virginia, at ninety years of age. The transition from French soldier to American citizen followed in due course his decision to stay in the United States after serving with the French forces who came to the aid of the colonists in the Revolutionary War. Minor details of his life and service differ from one account to another but generally agree in major respects.

Left an orphan as a young boy, he was raised by an old couple who assigned him the task of gathering three bundles of sticks for firewood each day. According to reminiscences related to his grandchildren, his mother was killed during a thunder storm along the road to a nearby village, where she had gone early in the evening to do some trading. Found at the foot of an upturned tree shortly after daybreak the following morning, her lifeless form caused his father's frantic despair to give way to a pervasive grief which lasted until death claimed him also a short while later.

At about eighteen years of age Joshua enlisted in the French Army and may have sailed to America on the ship which LaFayette outfitted at Bordeaux in 1777. In all likelihood, though, his landing on America's shores probably did not occur until July 1780, when he is known to have been among the troops under the command of Count Rochambeau. He was still with them in October 1781 at Yorktown, where the British Army under Cornwallis surrendered to the bombardment led by Gen. George Washington and Lt. Gen. Rochambeau.

By the time the Treaty of Peace was finally signed in 1783 and the way cleared for the French soldiers to return to their homeland, Joshua Michel had deserted the French to start a new life for himself as an American. His decision was not without a certain risk if one judges by the veteran's account to his family and retold by his grandson, S. H. Comer, between 1900 and 1910 through the pages of the Monroe Watchman:

Grandfather was travelling up towards the Blue Ridge mountains nearly starved to death. He stopped at a house to get something to eat. The lady put some victuals on the table and while he was eating, she said, "You are a deserter." "No, ma'am, I am just hunting work." "Yes, but you are; I know by those brass buttons on your coat." Then he said, "Give me a knife and I'll cut them off." He gave the buttons to the woman saying, "Don't betray me.

That the bribe was effective is evidenced by subsequent events. Shortly thereafter Joshua Michel married Nancy Ross in Rockingham County, Virginia; and following her death a few years later, he married Elizabeth Stigard 27 December 1788 in Fauquier County, Virginia.

What ultimately prompted the freedom-loving Mitchell (for so his name was spelled by then) to take the Oath of Allegiance at the time he did is not known, but in 1812 he became a naturalized citizen of the United States of America. By then his children had already been born, and some were grown. According to descendants, Joshua's first move to what later became West Virginia was to Pyne's Mountain about 1795. In 1803 he moved to the Flatwoods in Monroe County and settled on a branch called Brier Run, where he had bought a survey of 950 acres of land. There he built a log house, raised his family, and spent the remainder of his days. All his offspring were married in Monroe County.

To the union of Joshua and Nancy (Ross) Mitchell a son and a daughter were born:

J-I. Thomas Mitchell, a stone mason by trade and veteran of the War of 1812, was born between 1784 and 1788 and died before 1847. He married Margaret "Peggy" Mathews in Monroe County 10 August 1818. Shortly afterwards they settled on the Greenbrier River where the Big Ben Tunnel is now located. Later they moved to what is known as the Flatwoods on a part of his father's original home tract, where he built a large log house which stood for over a century. Eight boys and two girls were born in Monroe County to Thomas and Peggy: ..........J-I-l. Lewis B. Mitchell, born about 1820, married Mary Kountz in 1849. He bought out the other heirs and remained on the family homestead. Four children were born to this union, only one of whom (a son) lived to maturity. ..........J-I-2. George M. Mitchell, born about 1822, married Mary C. Vass in 1847. They had at least one son and two daughters. Although still in Monroe County in 1855, he reputedly went to California and died "somewhere out there." ..........J-I-3. Jonathan Mitchell, born about 1823, also "went to California". No further information. ..........J-I-4. Charles Baldwin Mitchell married Lizzie Brown, and they had two sons and two daughters while living in the valley of Peters Mountain. Baldwin was killed during the Civil War at Fayetteville, Fayette County, (West) Virginia, in 1861 with his brother Riley at his side when he fell. ..........J-I-5. James "Jim" Mitchell, born 22 February 1828, married 1 January 1878 Caroline V. Riffe, daughter of Joel and Susan (Solmers) Riffe. A teacher, James served in the Confederate forces under Gen. Joseph E. Johnston. He and his wife were living at Rock Camp when he died. They had one son. ..........J-I-6. Henry Mitchell married Ellen Jones and reputedly died as a relatively young man in Braxton County, West Virginia. ..........J-I-7. Alfred or Albert Mitchell, about whom nothing more is known. ..........J-I-8. Thomas Riley Mitchell, known as Riley, was born about 1840 and lived to a great old age. He married 22 December 1868 Nannie Smith, daughter of Jackson and Catherine Smith. Riley and Nannie made their home on the waters of Indian Creek in Monroe County and had f ive boys and five girls. ..........J-I-9. Angeline Mitchell, born about 1830, married Joshua Harvey about 1848. They moved to the state of Kansas. Before their deaths there they had two sons and eight daughters. ..........J-I-10. Miriam Jane Mitchell, called Jane, was born 11 September 856 to Cornelius Bradley 4 November 1834 They had two sons and a daughter.

J-II. Nancy Mitchell born between 1784 and 1788, married Abraham Cox on 27 November 1817 in Monroe County. Nothing further is known of her or her descendants.

By his second marriage to Elizabeth Stigard, Joshua Mitchell had ten more children, and it is from several* that many Boone Countians trace their descent: J-III. Sarah "Sally" Mitchell, born about 1790, married Charles Cummings in Monroe Couty in 1808. They were iin what later became Boone County in October 1824, when both appear as members of Olive Branch Baptist Church. J-IV. Elizabeth A Mitchell, born about 1792 in Fauquler County, VA; married 23 March 1812 Col. John Miller. They and theirs played important roles in the life of Boone County.

J-V. James Mitchell, born about 1793, possibiy in RockinghamCounty VA, was married by Rev. John Chambers in Monroe County 2 May 1815 to Mary 'Polly' Miller, daughter of Micheal Miller. Frorn their union, the Boone County Mitchells of the French progiter descend. For biographical details and issue, see separrate section entitled "Minister--Hither and Yon".

J-VI. Mary "Polly" Mitchell, born 11 June 1796 near Union, Greenbrier/later Monroe County, died 17 March 1861 in Monroe County; married there 6 January 1814 to Frederick Comer, son of Augustine and Catherine (Cortreen) (Rush) Comer. (See Kith and Kin of Boone CountU, Volumes I and II, for details about their family.)

J-VII. Jane Mitchell, born about 1799 in Monroe County, was married there 6 September 1824 to John Comer, also a son of Augustine and Catherine (Cortreen) (Rush) Comer. Some of their descendants established homes in Boone County.

J-VIII. Katherine, 'Kate' Mitchell, born about 1800 in Monroe County, died in Boone County,- married 25 March 1819 "Fork" John Miller. born in 1801 the son of Daniel.

• Since lineages herein are carriod forwarcd only for those retaining the Mitchell surname, it is hoped that the female lines not already covered in previous issues will be published in future articles. The Miller name (derived from the Hessian Muller in this case) was an especially prominent one in the Turtle Creek area, and there were numerous marriages between the Mitchell and Miller families through succeeding generations in Boone County.

Sr., and Elizabeth "Betsy" (Coiner) Miller. "Fork" John joined Olive Branch Church in February 1827 and "Kate" in August 1830 after their move to the vicinity of Turtle Creek. Most of their children married Boone County cousins.

J-IX. Lucy Mitchell, born about 1802 in Monroe County, was married there 11 December 1824 to John "Jack" Fipps/ Phipps. They moved to Logan County, (West) Virginia, and appear in the 1850 United States Census of that county.

J-X. Susanna Mitchell, whose birth and death dates are not known, married the Reverend James Ellison on 19 January 1822 in Monroe County.

J-XI. Margaret "Peggy" Mitchell, apparently born in Monroe County, was married there in 1831 to Thomas "Bill" Cox.

J-XII. Joseph Mitchell, born 11 December 1810, was married three times: 1) in 1830 to Sarah 'Sally" Comer, daughter of Frederick and Nancy (Scott) Comer; 2)in 1833 to Elizabeth C. "Betsy" Patterson, daughter of Massey Patterson; and after her death 18 October 1857 he was married 3) on 18 May 1858 to Nancy Harvey, born 20 April 1821, the daughter of Joshua and Sally (Swope) Harvey. It is believed one daughter was born to Sally (Comer) Mitchell: ..........J-XII-l. Sarah Mitchell, born about 1831, of whom nothing more is known. From Joseph Mitchell's second marriage to Betsy Patterson, the following nine children were born: ..........J-XII-2. Sarah "Sallie" Mitchell, born about 1835, married Henry Copeland. They had four sons. ..........J-XII-3. James Mitchell, born about 1837, moved to the state of Missouri near St. Joseph; married a Miss Dawson, sister of Nannie Dawson who married his brother. ..........J-XII-4. Nancy J. Mitchell, born about 1839, married in Monroe County 27 November 1862 Woodrum Mann, born about 1832 in Monroe County. They had no issue. ..........J-XII-5. Mary Susan Mitchell, born about 1843, married in Monroe County 26 April 1869 Anderson Peters Miller, born about 1845, the son of Charles and Mary Miller. They had several children. ..........JXII-6. Clernentine Mitchell, born about 1845, of whom there is no further information. J-XII-7. Angeline Mitchell, born 8 May 1848, married Andrew L. Halstead 9 November 1865 in Monroe County. They lived for a time in Bluefield but left no children. ..........J-XII-8. Martha Mitchell, about whom nothing more is known. ..........J-XII-9. Joseph Mitchell, like his brother, moved to a location near St. Joseph, Missouri. He married twice: 1) Nannie Dawson and 2) his first wife's sister, whose given name is no known. ..........J-XII-lO. Eliza Mitchell, about whom no further infor mation is available.

From the elder Joseph Mitchell's third marriage to Nancy Harvey, three daughters were born: ..........J-XII-ll. Miranda Mitchell, who married Joshua Canterbury. They had two daughters. ..........J-X-II-12. Sirena Mitchell, who married Bob Hall. ..........J-X-II-l3. Margaret Mitchell, who died unmarried while still a young woman.

As far as is known, none of Joseph Mitchell's descendants settled in Boone County during the nineteenth century. All children of Joshua Mitchell are mentioned in his will, dated 6 January 1847 and proved at the May 1847 term of Monroe County Court. Long after death the patriarch was remembered by his heirs as a hard worker who never grew disheartened. He cleared and tended his lands with optimism, for "he had God's word" as guide: By the sweat of the face ye shall eat bread. His religious principles and faith were in the Wesleyan Methodist doctrine, and he believed in keeping the Golden Rule. Although he had no formal learning, he expressed himself well in his adopted tongue and was wont to conduct Bible meetings. Upright, honest, a good citizen and neighbor, he was considered a fine diciplinarian in church and home. That his progeny profited by his example is apparent from their lives.

JOSHUA MITCHELL CEMETERY M0NR0E C0UNTY, WEST VIRGINIA When the Boone County Genealogical Society was formed, it was decided that the primary goal of the Society would be the preservation of the genealogical heritage of Boone County. A part of that heritage is located in the cemeteries of Boone County and we are actively seeking out and recording the data in our cemeteries. However, it is felt by this compiler that we must also preserve the same information about the ancestors of Boone Countians when it can be located.

The Joshua Mitchell Cemetery is located about two miles south of Wykle, West Virginia, on the east side of one-lane road leading to U. S. 219. The cemetery is fenced, mowed and still being used by the descendants of our Monroe County ancestors.

H.. J. K. Mitchell b. 8/16/1852 d. 5/26/1934 wife: Ellen Caroline b. 8/17/1861 d. 2/10/1941 Mary Mitchell AT REST Lewis Mitchell AT REST Elizabeth Mitchell b. d. 10/18/1857 Age- 48y 4m 16d J. Mitchell (Joshua) b ca 1757 d 1847 Age- 90y Elizabeth C. Mitchell b. d.2/11/1861 Age- 14y. 1m. 22 d. Martha A. Mitche1l b. d.5/14/1861 Age- 19y9m29d ______l E. Mitchell b. d.1848 Isaac Mitchell b. d.7/15/1844 Age- 3y. 8m. 25d. Wilson M. Comer b. 12/16/1839 d.11/14/1916 wife: Emma1ine b.9/12/1849 d.6/ 2/1931 Willie E. Comer b.8/21/1871 d.11/12/1927 (son of Wilson & Emmaline) wife: Annie b.3/22/1872 d.12/11/1948 Robert M. Comer b.12/26/1878 d.11/10/1884 Age 5y 10 m. 15 days Georgie L. Comer b. 3/ 7/1902 d. 2/08/1903 Lillie B. Comer b. 11/11/1904 d. 11/17/1936 (wife of G. M. Comer) Charles 0. Comer b. 1874 d. 1949 wife: Rosa A. b. 1881 d. 1940 William M. Comer b. 4/18/1825 d. 5/27/1849 Emory M. Comer b. 1876 d. 1949 wife:Ida W. b. 1880 d. 1950 Frank T. Comer b. 3/31/1894 d. 11/20/1973 wife:Lula M. b. 12/19/1900 Nancy Comer b 1814 d. 3/--/1816 Frederick Comer b. 10/16/1787 d. 11/10/1848 wife: Polly b. 6/11/1796 d. 3/17/1867 David P.McDaniel b. 2/16/1874 d. 2/7/1950 wife: Emma A b. 3/10/1871 d. 6/ 1/1962 James B. Canterbury b. 1873 d. 1953 wife: Annie E. b. 1877 d. 1942 daughter: Helen b. 11/2/1903 d. 10/19/1904 Pearl Lucile Canterberry b. 1/18/1912 d. 7/28/1916 Nancy J. Mann b. d. 1/18/1875 Age - 37 Anderson P. Miller b. 6/21/1844 d. 5/13/1926 wife: Mary Susan b. 8/09/1844 d. 3/15/1914 John H. Miller b. 1/ 3/1892 d. 7/17/1972 wife: Virgie L. Lester b. 11/17/1893 Lillie Miller b. d. 10/12/1904 (wife of W. H. Miller) Age - 23y 4m 4d Louisa A. Miller b. d. 2/14/1898 Age - 16y 11m 15d John S. Harvey b. 5/28/1857 d. 5/22/l920 wife: Louise. Baumguardner b. 5/26/1865 d. 5/11/1899 Walter Basil Harvey b. 4/29/1898 d. 4/29/1898 Lewis G. Harvey b. 2/02/1858 d. 10/29/1879 Age -21y 9m 27d Ada Helen Harvey b. 4/26/1894 d. 8/06/1936 William Richard Harvey b. 1885 d. 1952 Rhoda V. Harvey b. 5/10/1842 d. 11/06/1938 J. H. Harvey b. 3/--/1978 d. 12/ (infant son of H. A. & B. M.) Eliza Harvey b. 2/17/1821 d. 12/22/1880 Age 59y l0m 5d Robert Lewis Harvey b. 6/19/1885 d. 6/19/1885 James Swope Harvey b. 4/5/1818 d. 7/6/1889 Elmer F. Harvey b. 1889 d. 1972 wife: Effie b. 1886 d. 1963 There are sixth-eight graves in the cemetery; however, seventeen are marked with rocks or tombstones that can no longer be read. Two tombstones give the maiden names of the women and in the modern day tradition of one stone for husband and wife, the birth dates are given for two persons yet to be laid to rest.

Compiler: James L. Richardson 5267 Big Tyler Road Charleston, West Virginia 25312 Please note that Comers are buried in this cemetery and there are also many Comer descendants in Boone County. See Volume I of 'Kith and Kin". - Editor.

Sources [S005020] kkgedcom.FTW Date of Import: 14 Jun 2000

[S004640] Joel Hager, (hagerj@us.army.mil)

[S003591] Ellen Richardson Pritchard, (pritchardz@aol.com), http://www.gencircles.com/users/ellenrichpritch/2/data/7287

Joshua Mitchell BIRTH 1757
Paris, City of Paris, Île-de-France, France
DEATH 17 Mar 1847 (aged 89–90)
Monroe County, West Virginia, USA
BURIAL
Comer-Mitchell Cemetery
Wikel, Monroe County, West Virginia

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5439359/joshua-mitchell

Children
Photo
Sarah Mitchell Cummins
1789–1865

Photo
Elizabeth S. Mitchell Miller
1792–1882

James D. Mitchell
1795–1863

Photo
Mary Jane Mitchell Comer
1796–1867

Photo
Catherine Elizabeth Mitchell Miller
1800–1888

Photo
Jane Mitchell Comer
1802–1883

Photo
Joseph Mitchell
1810–1880

Joshua Mitchell BIRTH 1757 Paris, City of Paris, Île-de-France, France DEATH 17 Mar 1847 (aged 89–90) Monroe County, West Virginia, USA BURIAL Comer-Mitchell Cemetery Wikel, Monroe County, West Virginia

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/5439359/joshua-mitchell

Children Photo Sarah Mitchell Cummins 1789–1865

Photo Elizabeth S. Mitchell Miller 1792–1882

James D. Mitchell 1795–1863

Photo Mary Jane Mitchell Comer 1796–1867

Photo Catherine Elizabeth Mitchell Miller 1800–1888

Photo Jane Mitchell Comer 1802–1883

Photo Joseph Mitchell 1810–1880