Husband William Robert Mitchell
Born: 9 Feb 1835 - Madison, VA
Died: 1 May 1908 - Evergreen Mills, Loudoun, VA
Buried: - Union Cemetery , Leesburg, Loudoun, VA
Father: John William Mitchell (1804-1855)
Mother: Nancy Tanner (1804-1872)
Marriage: 7 Feb 1867 - Madison, VA
Born: 3 Feb 1838 - Madison, VA
Died: 20 Jan 1918 - Evergreen Mills, Loudoun, VA
Buried: - Union Cemetery , Leesburg, Loudoun, VA
Father: Jacob Rouse (1793- )
Mother: Patsy Fleshman (1797- )
On 27 Dec 1855 in Madison Co. VA William Robert Mitchell, brother James Lovin Mitchell and brother-in-law Alpheus Hawkins paid $451 for 105 acres formerly belonging to his father John William Mitchell.
On 2 Jan 1860 he bought a tract of land jointly with his sister Sallie Mitchell.
This must be the 100 acres Sara Sally Mitchell left him in her estate dated 1886. The land was in Mercer District, Loudoun Co. VA.
On 24 Sep 1885 he bought 5 acres located in Negro Mt., Loudoun Co. VA.
On 16 Oct 1891 he bought 53 acres in Loudoun Co. VA.
On 6 Jan 1894 he sold 1 acre to Adam Fletcher of Prince William Co. VA for $25.
William Mitchell also owned land with his sister Lucy Ann and her husband Alpheas Hawkins. On 24 Mar 1897 they sold 75 acres to Annie V. Hawkins for $225. This land was on the west side of Double Top Mountain and north of Rapid Ann River in Madison Co. VA.
A 1900 census shows him age 65, his wife Marthy E. age 63, and one son Henry age 28.
On 29 Dec 1908 the heirs of William sold his land to Charles W. Thomas for $1,200.
On his tombstone it reads: HE FOLLOWED VIRTUE AS HIS TRUEST GUIDE, LIVED AS A CHRISTIAN, AS A CHRISTIAN DIED.
He had two obituaries. They read:
The remains of Mr. William R. Mitchell, who died at the home of his son in Watson on Friday last, were interred in Union Cemetery, Leesburg, on Sunday. Mr. Mitchell was a brave Confederate soldier, a good citizen and an upright and honorable man, who had the esteem and confidence of all who knew him.
He was 73 years of age, and is survived by several children.
The other shows a picture with his name and the caption "CO. A, 4TH VIRGINIA CAVALRY. NOW DECEASED.
Departed this life on the 1st day of May, at his home near Evergreen Mills, Mr. Wm. R. Mitchell, in his 74th year. Mr. Mitchell was an old Confederate soldier, a member of Company C., Stuart's Brigade, from its organization at Madison C.H. to the surrender at Appomatix C.H. He was a faithful and brave soldier, honored by all his comrades, fearless in battle, but neverless always kind to prisoners as all truly brave men are. He was for years an honored citizen in this community, a good and kind neighbor and a true friend.
He joined the North Fork Church shortly after coming to this county and twenty-some years past, moved his membership from there to Mt. Hope Church. He was always faithful to his church and pastor. He was one of the truest men the writer has ever known. Starting life poor, he reared a large family and yet by industry and good management accumulated considerable property. He will be greatly missed by his community and church. He leaves a wife and three sons to mourn his death. But said to the writer that he was ready to go. "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, yea saith the Spirit they rest from their labors, and their works do follow them." ONE WHO HONORED HIM.
Pvt Co. C 4 Reg't VA Cav. Enlisted 10 March 1862 in Madison Co. by Capt. Strolher. Detached with Genl. Stuart since 25 Jan 1864. 22 Dec 1862 AWOL. Enlisted 8 Jun 1862 at Danville for one year. Enlisted again 4 Aug 1862 in Washington Co. VA for three years. Admitted to hospital 30 Jan through 16 Feb. Co. H 22 Cav. paid by Capt. Jeb Stuart till 30 Oct 1863. Prisoner of war from 10 June 1864 until 31 Dec 1864. He attended the surrender at Appomatix. Co. O Stuarts Brigade. PVT Co. 6 Bovens Reg. Mtd. Rifleman.
Co. A 4 Cav. Co. E 22 VA Cav. Co. K 22 VA Cav. Co.'s A & E Baldwin Squadron Partisan Co. F 12 VA Inf. formerly 4 Reg. VA Inf. PVT
A month and a half after Linna Wortman bought lot 606 in Union Cemetery in Leesburg, William Robert Mitchell and his son John William Mitchell bought lot 608 containing 12 sites.
Cemetery records show that he died of a hardened liver.
Her brother William Rouse died and a part of his estate went to her.
MISS MARTHA MITCHELL DIES AT SON'S HOME
Mrs. Martha Eilen Mitchell, widow of the late Wm. R. Mitchell, died at the home of her son Henry, near Evergreen Mills, VA, on Sunday morning Jan. 20, 1918. It was indeed entering into a day of rest for her as she had been a great sufferer for many years. Of a quiet and kindly disposition she was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed. Had she lived just two weeks longer she would have been 81 years old. Before her marriage 51 years ago she was a Miss Rouse, of Madison County.
Three sons, J. Wm. Mitchell, merchant at Watson; Henry, of Evergreen Mills; Vert, of Ashburn; five grandsons and four grand-daughters survive.
She was for many years a member of Mt. Hope Church.
Her funeral was held Tuesday in the Baptist Church in Leesburg, Rev. G.W. Popkins officiating, and her body laid to rest in Union Cemetery by side of her daughter who preceded her to the grave by several years.
Cemetery records show that she died of old age.
Sources: Name : Marriage license - Madison Co. VA Other : Newspaper obituary
Born: 1 Jan 1868 - Mt. Gilead, Loudon, VA
Died: 10 Jun 1958 - Dranesville, Loudon, VA
Buried: 13 Jun 1958 - Union Cemetery Cem, Leesburg, Loudon, VA
Spouse: Minnie Love Morris (1876-1946)
Three newspaper articles on John William Mitchell:
MEET YOUR MERCHANT
John William Mitchell is the owner of the Mitchell General store in Watson, Loudoun County, situated one mile east of Gilberts Corners and two miles north of Route 50.
He and J.O. Daniel were partners for eight years until Mr. Mitchell purchased Mr. Daniel's interest. All in all, Mr. Mitchell has owned the store for sixty-one years.
John Mitchell was married to Mrs. Minnie Morris of Berryville who passed away three years ago.
Their seven children are namely, Mrs. Elton Ferguson of Arlington, Mrs. Ben Fletcher, of Herndon, Claude Mitchell of Leesburg, Morris Mitchell of Arlington, Mrs. Ikey Hummer of Arlington, Mrs. John Thomas of Falls Church and Lt. Jacklin Mitchell of the U.S. Air Force in Texas City.
Mr. Mitchell has fifteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
The store is a typical Loudoun County general store where one can buy anything from a whalebone corset bone to penny candy. There is a slate on which is written the days special.
The town of Watson is built around the store, the villagers making a trip or two a day for shopping at Mitchells.
About 1890 there were two bootmakers in an adjoining building to the store and Mr. Mitchell used to sell them wooden shoe pegs at 10 to 15 cents a pound. He still has some. The pegs were used in the soles as stitching and nails are used today. He tells of a shoe maker cutting pegs out of a hunk of wood for just the right size to fit his shoes which his Father had ordered for him.
Also in the store are empty gun powder shells which were used to fill with powder then paper then shot and more paper, a far cry from the way they are bought today.
Last year Mr. Mitchell flew to Antigua near Trinidad to visit his son Jacklin who is married to Frances Miller of Manassas. And this year he visited the same son in Texas City. He says he had a grand time visiting oil wells and the surrounding country. He even had his picture taken on a steer. When asked if he would like to live out west he said he would take Loudoun County in preference to them all.
Mr. Henry Mitchell also helps in the store and the two brothers run "bachelor hall" in the attractive home behind the store.
He was postmaster in Watson until the rural delivery was institued. He is also a Son of the Confederacy, his father having served in the 4th Madison Cavalry in the Civil War.
On New Years Day last, John Mitchell was eighty-two years old.
MITCHELL SELLS HIS WATSON STORE AFTER 68 YEARS AT SAME STAND
The mercantile business will go on, uninterrupted at Watson, although J.W. Mitchell at the age of 88 has sold out his interests there. Friday marked the first time in 68 years that Mr. Mitchell turned over the day's cash receipts to another.
Mr. Mitchell has sold the store, his house and approximately two acres of land at Watson to Mr. and Mrs. Claude Church, who will carry on to serve the needs of the area people as has Mr. Mitchell over a record number of years. Few people anywhere, it is said, can boast such a record such as Mr. Mitchell has established for continuous service in one location in the mercantile business.
Mr. Mitchell will stay on to make his home at Watson, having reserved quarters in his old homestead. He will be around too, to help the Churches continue a thriving business at the site.
Mr. Mitchell thinks he will do a little travelling now. He likes to see the country but the store was pretty confining. Now he can get away more but he thinks he will always come back to the familiar scenes around Watson store.
Mr. Mitchell was born in 1868 on a farm in Mt. Gilead, at property owned by John Aldrich. His parents had come to Mt. Gilead from Madison County after the war and later the family moved to Oak Hill where Mr. Mitchell went to school. His father presented each child at 21 with a horse, $25 in cash and his blessing.
Mr. Mitchell's merchandise at Watson moved with the times but he still had in stock when he sold the store, some unusual items that are never called for any more. There were shoe pegs, in assorted sizes, for halfsoling boots, and when he purchased the store from Joe Daniel there was a regular cobbler's shop connected to the store where two full time employees made boots and shoes. "Those days are past," Mr. Mitchell says regretfully. "Nobody does that work anymore."
When he took over the store in 1888 one of his first purchases was a large supply of whale bone and whale bone covers for corsets. He still had some of both on hand when he sold out last week. Nobody asks for horse collars anymore either, or hog bristles or sewing shoes and the old tobacco knife, which looks like a paper cutter, is never called into service.
Other interesting curios in the store were two clocks, with moving figures, which could never be duplicated now.
Mr. Mitchell kept everything in his general merchandise store and sold everything. The oldest part of the building holds food kerosene, oil and salt herring. Out front are thousands of items: cigarettes, castor oil, canned goods, slates, snuff, shoes, stick candy, toys, blankets, hardware, nails, pots and pans and dishes.
JOHN W. MITCHELL RETIRES FROM STORE KEEPING AFTER 68 YEARS
"I'm just tuckered out, I guess," is the reason John William Mitchell, 88, gave for his retirement Saturday from his general store business at Watson near Gilberts Corner after 68 years.
J.W. Mitchell sold the store last Friday to Mr. and Mrs. Claude Church of near Leesburg. The Churches took over the same day.
With the store were sold the eight-room frame house and two acres of adjoining land. Mitchell will have a room for himself in his old home and will board with the Churches. But mostly he plans to travel.
First of all, in a few weeks, he is looking forward to visiting his son Air Force Captain Jack Mitchell in his new post in California. Capt. Mitchell and his family just got back from two years tour of duty in North Africa and his father is eager to see him.
Then J.W. plans to wander from one home to another of his other six children-merchant Claudius H. Mitchell of Leesburg, Morris L. Mitchell, Mrs. H.E. Ferguson and Mrs. Benny Fletcher of Arlington, Mrs. Margaret Hummer of Clarendon, and Mrs. Geraldine Thomas who lives on Route 50 near Falls Church.
J.W. Mitchell bought the store in 1889 from J.R. Daniel who later became a state senator. J.W. was 21 at the time. Two years later he married the late Minnie Love.
Nothing exciting ever happened in the 68 years at the store, says J.W. But he now owns a farm, four houses, and a 40-acre wooded lot. "I guess I did all right," he says.John William Mitchell and Minnie Love Morris had the following children:
- John William Mitchell b. 1897 d. 1907
- Anna Maria Mitchell b. 1899 d. 1985 married Herbert Ferguson and had John Ferguson
- Clarissa Ellen Mitchell b. 1900 d. 1983 married Bennie Fletcher and had 2 children
- Claudius Hunton Mitchell b. 1904 d. 1988 married Mae Bass and had 3 children
- Morris Love Mitchell b. 1908 d. 1974 married Martha Leith and had 4 children
- Alvin Lee Mitchell stillborn 11 Feb 1911
- Margaret Virginia Mitchell b. 1914 married James Hummer and had 2 children
- Catherine Ellis Mitchell b. 1916 d. 1921
- Jacklin Wilson Mitchell b. 1918 married Frances Miller and had 2 girls
- Geraldine Sydney Mitchell b. 1921 d. 1987 married John Thomas and had 3 children
Born: 27 May 1869 - Loudon Co. VA
Died: 14 May 1907 - Fairfax, VA
Buried: - Union Cemetery, Leesburg, Loudon, VA
Spouse: William E. Ellmore (1872-1964)
Marr: 29 Jan 1896
She married William E. Ellmore who, after her death, later married Mary Mitchell, Genevieve's cousin.
IN MEMORIAM
Mrs. Jenevieve Elmore died at her home near Dranesville, Fairfax County VA, on May 14th of plurisy and pneumonia, in the 39th year of her age. Mrs. Elmore has been in failing health for several years past, and while in bad health pneumonia being too severe for her constitution she succumbed to it. She was a faithful and consistent member of Mt. Hope Baptist Church. She was of an abiding disposition, taking everything as the Lord's will; and as she lived so she died, ready to obey the Saviour to go up highter. Well done, thou good and faithful servant, it is enough, come up higher and receive your reward. Her funeral was preached by the Rev. G.W. Popkins, assisted by Rev. Mr. Gaithers, after which her remains were laid to rest in Union Cemetery. She was the only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Mitchell, of Watson, VA. Besides her grief stricken husband, mother and father, three brothers; J.W. Mitchell, of Watson, Henry and W.R. Mitchell of Evergreen Mills, survive her to mourn her loss.
Farewell, dear Vever, we part with you on this side of the grave to meet again in that great unknown where we shall know no pain and sorrow no more.
BY HER BROTHER3 M Henry Mitchell
Born: 12 Feb 1871
Died: 19 Sep 1956 - Leesburg, Loudon, VA
Spouse: Annie M. Alexander
In the 1900 census he was living with his parents, but in 1904 when his brother Vert was just married, they were living with him. They left because Carrie (Vert's wife) couldn't get along with Henry.
Born: 21 Jun 1875 - Loudon Co. VA
Died: 27 Oct 1936 - Arlington, VA
BurieBuried: 29 Oct 1936 - Union Cemetery, Leesburg, Loudon, VA
Spouse: Carrie Loretta an (1882-1978)
Marr: 30 Nov 1904 - Ashburn, Loudon, VA
last updated 17 Oct 2007
