Now for the Mitchell side of family from Georgia I have run this past Uncle David and fortunately for us all he has added a lot. Additionally, David’s first cousin Joseph Mitchell son of Seth Mitchell also added a great deal Of information on the 1900-1960 Mitchell family years for those who remained in the Birmingham Alabama area.

As had Millie’s writings to Antionen and most importantly two Sites http://www.simpsonhistory.com/joshuamitchell.html and http://www.storytellers.ws/JWMoon.html which enable us to go back ten generations !!

Georgia legislature created Gwinnett County from Creek and Cherokee lands. The Creeks from northern Georgia had fought on the British side in the Revolutionary War where driven south to Alabama and after 3 treaties ceded 20 million acres And driven West to the Ozark plateau in the 1830’s.

Jon Trumbell 1790

The state's 42 county was named for Britton Gwinett one of Georgia's three signers of the

Declaration of Independence . It is named for George Walton, one of the three men from

Georgia who signed the Declaration of Independence. Monroe is the County Seat with other

towns being Loganville, Between, Social Circle, Jersey, Between, Good Hope and Walnut

Grove. Loganville, incorporated as a town in 1887 and then as a city in 1914, was first called

Buncombe bunkum, a term meaning "nonsense", derived from 19th century American politics until it

was renamed in 1851 to honor an early settler, James Harvie Logan . In early 1800’s, this area‘s

population only about 300-400 Jacks Creek near Monroe was the site of the

massacre by whites of a large encampment of Creek Indians in 1787. Our

ancestors can be traced to at least the early 1800’s in this area and may have even played a part in eradication of Native Americans and in their “trail of tears” West and Daniel Boone’s drive west earlier. According to Aunt Helen our ancestors played part in the establishment of Walton County so ancestors date back to before 1800 which was confirmed in The two genealogical sites mentioned previously.

The Walton War was an 1810 boundary dispute between North Carolina and Georgia over a 12 mile strip of land in

present day Transylvania County, North Carolina. There were two major clashes between the two state's militias, the

Battle of McGaha Branch and the Battle of Selica Hill. Both of these battles resulted in victory for the North

Carolina militia. A year later Georgia authorized a survey of the strip and found it to be out of its jurisdiction, and

ceded it to North Carolina. Walton County was created on Dec 15,1818. probaly not geographically direct part of Walton

Wars incident where 1 person died .

The two names of significance for the family in the Walton county area of Georgia are The Mitchell and the Moon family. The larger Moon family in particular seemed to be the earliest settlers or connected from marriage to many of the earliest settlers in Georgia and Virginia going Back to 1700 and before. Through the Moons ,many distant relations could be claimed including Patrick Henry, Pres James Madison and Pres Jefferson Davis Moon’s were in America before the Pilgrims since there is mention of Nicholas Moon and Churchill Moon arriving in Jamestown in 1607 and later mention of Nicholas residing at Jamestown Virginia in 1621. The earliest Mitchell ancestor is Robert James Mitchell from Ireland born about 1700 in Ireland . He married Sarah Brady “Braddy” and their first son John Henry Mitchell Sr. 1748-1804 had a son John Henry Mitchell Jr 1765 who then had a son Thomas Hardaway Mitchell 1793-1853. Thomas Hardaway Mitchell was our Joshua L Mitchell’s grandfather since his father was Wilson Lumpkin Mitchell 1820-1877. Before the war records show he owned one slave.

Following end of the Civil War war, Wilson Lumpkin Mitchell married widow Rachel Catherine Moon and their children include our (Randall,Robert,Lacy and Antionen) great grandfather Joshua “Joshuaway” L Mitchell was born about 1866. When Joshua L. Mitchell married Nettie Long he married his uncle Richard A. Long b. 1831 d1879 and his aunt Josephine [Moon] Long ‘s daughter Nettie Long b1871 d.Aug 30,1952, his first cousin.

“ Joshua, who married Nettie Long, daughter of R. A. and Josephine (Moon) Long,

a first cousin, and to them were born six children. He was a carpenter and contractor and resided in Alabama at the time of his death.” > > http://www.storytellers.ws/JWMoon.htm

Joshua L. Mitchell and the following brothers and sisters : James Robert b1869 , Mattie Bell Martin b1872 ,Susan B.Gill b1874 and Frederick Mitchell b.Feb 3 1972 who later married Candy Stephens and have two children.

1870 Buncombe census

The Buncombe census of 1870 show Wilson Lumpkin Mitchell (occupation carpenter)and his wife Rachel Catherine [Moon] Mitchell and Joshua L and James R age 4 and 1 respectively. Note also family name just below theirs on census is Moon, our relatives and a very large family indeed. Wilson Lumpkin Mitchell married widow Rachael Catherine Moon 1837-1907 on 12/06/1865 Her first husband Thomas L Moon had died in WBTS of smallpox in 1862 . The Moon family in Georgia

The two Moon sisters Rachel Catherine and Josephine were daughters of the prolific Joseph P Moon 1796-1893 and his second wife Martha Jones and also sisters to 8 Moon brothers that served in the CSA 35th Georgia . The brothers names were Andrew Jackson , Steven LaFayette (2nd Lieu), William, DeKalb, Edom, George W, Augustus and Charles P Moon . Andrew Moon suffered fatal injuries near Spotsylvania courthouse and later died in Richmond. Steven LaFayette fought at Gettysburg and was later wounded. Steven LaFayette wrote home to his parents.

"Lieut. STEPHEN L. MOON.

"Camp Near Brandy Station, Va., October 20.

"Dear Father and Mother: I again have the pleasure of dropping you a few lines. This leaves

myself and all my brothers well and hearty. I have nothing that is good to write you all at

this time, more than we have got this far back from another campaign We have been near

Manassas and drove the Yankees from the Rappohanock river to Mannassas, and they did

not stop to give any fight, only the cavalry, as we would push on them so close that they

could not get away without making the attempt, till we were in two or three miles of

Mannassas. Then we had ten brigades of infantry engaged. We then fell back across the

Rappohanock river, burning the railroad bridge as we went. I think we will take up winter

quarters some where near where we did last winter, if we don't go west. It is the chat here

now that three divisions of this army will go west and General Lee will go also and leave Hill

and Ewell here to defend Virginia

"I think if Lee goes with his men he will show the western boys how to fight and would drive

the last Yankee back on their own soil. I heard today that Bragg was still fighting them and

they were still falling back. I also heard that the Yankees said that as soon as our men

charged them they knew that some of the army from the Potomac was there for they did

not fight like the troops they had been used to fighting. I don't think there will be any more

fighting here this winter----think we can go into winter quarters and remain there

unmolested this winter.

"Mother, I would like for you to send me two pairs of socks and a coat, if you can make it. I

have a short coat which is too cold for winter. I have pants and shirts aplenty. If you can

get them ready, send them by A. J. Webb, or the first one that passes. 1 think that Edom

and Augustus need the same.

"The health of the army is very good. Father, I would like for you to send me the returns of

the election in Walton. I hope that Lent Bass is elected, but I fear he is left.

"I will close; give my best respects to all my friends. I hope that some of us will get to come

home this winter. I suppose that George has not returned to his command yet.

"I remain as ever, your loving son till death.

"S. L. MOON." According to Millie”There is a book compiled about Dad’s complete ancestral line. It is simply titled the

“Moon Family”. Here are some excerpts from that book which may contain an error regarding Addie

Moon http://www.storytellers.ws/JWMoon.htm

“Addie, daughter of Thomas L. and Catherine Moon, was born February 20th, 1861, and married J. J. Humphries on June 20th, 1885, and to them were bo rn eight children: Jessie Irene, Bessie Inez, Thomas Josiah, Annie Runie, Oliver Homer, Ernest Noble, Frederic and Hugh. Mr. Humphries and his family resides at Norcross, and owns large farming interests in Gwinnett County.

Thomas L. Moon, the father of the above named children, was a son of Elijah Moon. He served the Confederacy during the Civil War as a private in Company G Thirty-fifth Regiment until his death November 13, 1862, of small pox.

This fits in with the Good Hope Georgia story “we have good hope you’ll keep passing thru” ( on to Athens Georgia –University of Georgia 40 miles away) and the nearby town for gathering for drinking ,socializing and dancing known appropriately as Social Circle.

Hard Labor Creek-Social Circle “We have GOOD HOPE.”

Social Circle was of some strategic value in Sherman’s March thru Georgia as a plaque there states.

March to the Sea State Historical Marker

Located on Ga. 11 in front of the United Methodist Church in Social Circle, Ga.

THE MARCH TO THE SEA

On Nov. 15, 1864, after destroying Atlanta and cutting his communications with the North, Maj. Gen. W. T. Sherman, USA, began his destructive campaign for

Savannah -- the March to the Sea. He divided his army into two wings. The Right Wing marched south from Atlanta, to feint at Macon but to cross the Ocmulgee River

above the city and concentrate at Gordon.

The Left Wing (14 and 20th Corps), Maj. Gen. H. W. Slocum, USA, marched to Decatur where the 20th Corps, Brig. Gen. A. S. Williams, USA, took the road to Social Circle to strike the Georgia Railroad here and destroy it through Madison.

Late on the 17th, the 20th Corps reached Centreville Box (Jersey), 6 miles NW, and camped between Cornish and Big Flat creeks, with its leading division (Geary's) on

the west bank of the Ulcofauhachee (Alcovy) River, 3 miles from Social Circle.

On the 18th, elements of the 2nd and 3rd Divisions destroyed the Georgia Railroad from Social Circle to Madison (16 miles). At Rutledge (7 miles SE), the depot, water tank, warehouses and other RR facilities were burned, those at Social Circle having

been destroyed in July by Garrard's cavalry [Union]. That night the 20th Corps camped west of Madison on the Covington road.

Between Atlanta and Milledgeville, the movements of the Left Wing were almost unopposed, the few Confederate troops available being employed against the Right

Win to protect Macon, a principal arsenal center, and the Central of Georgia Railway.

Richard A Long b.1831, Nellie Long’s father is the next direct relative that can be

traced to be a member of the famous CSA 64th

Georgia Infantry. Richard A. Long (First_Last)

Regiment Name 64 Georgia Infantry

Side Confederate

Company K

Soldier's Rank_In Private

Soldier's Rank_Out Private

Alternate Name Robert A./Long

Notes Film Number M266 roll 37

For present generation members such as Lacy Smith , he would be his 2

nd great grandfather and

therefore a direct ancestor. Before the war he was a farmer married to Josephine [Moon] Long .

R.A. Long ( also sometimes mistakenly referred to Robt. A Long in Civil War records) is confirmed to

have served for the Confederacy in the War Between He went in later in the war sometime

around Feb 26, 1863 when the Fulton and Walton County unit Company K under Captain

Charles Jenkins was formed. Richard A Long would have been 31yrs old in Feb 1863. Although

he entered later in the war, he himself and his unit made very significant contributions and

sacrifices. He suffered a serious hip wound

which meant on Monday April 3,1865 he was in Jackson Hospital in Richmond recovering when

Union troops marched into the defeated and burning Confederate Capitol . No doubt he was

made prisoner in hospital .

Fall of Richmond Monday April 3,1865

I am not sure at what battle Pvt. R.A.Long was injured or where he fought for sure, but a lot is

known about his outfit.

The 64th

Georgia infantry was involved in two of the most famous defeats the the hands of

the Confederacy: The first battle the 64

th Georgia regiment served in 1863 in the district of Florida, and in

February, 1864, participated in the battle of Olustee ; this Union defeat meant Florida never fell

into Union Hands during the war.

This battle is re-enacted every year around Feb 13 in Olustee which is up near Lake City,Fl. http://battleofolustee.org/reenactment.html and is the largest re-enactment in the

Southeast United States.

The second battle was the infamous Union General Burnside’s debacle on July 30,1864 near

Petersberg VA where a tunnel was dug under the confederate lines and explosion meant to open

lines instead resulted in deep Crater into which Union soldiers charged and unable to escape

were slaughtered by Confederates under Major General William Mahone’s division. This

resulted in tactical change to prolonged siege of Richmond and Petersberg. Later Grant described

the Union defeat when he wrote to Chief of Staff Henry W. Halleck, "It was the saddest affair I

have witnessed in this war."

1865 The Crater

R.A Long stayed at Jackson Hospital well after the war

but eventually made it back to Walton County and returned to a life as a prosperous farmer and

good citizen and luckily for us, he and Josephine became proud parents of Mattie,Joseph ,Nettie

b. Aug 30, 1871 and Mollie in 1875 but 8 years later on May13,1879 R.A.Long eventually

succumbed to health issues related to his wound.

64

th Georgia Infantry Regimental Summary

With the southern government's manpower pool becoming ever more shallow, mandatory military

service age was raised finally to forty-five. The 64th Georgia was composed of 800 men, mostly too old

or too young for earlier conscription or previously disabled and discharged from other units. Indicative of

the manpower situation, it took several months to actually fill out the regiment, quite a different situation

than existed only 14 months ago. The 64th Regiment, Georgia Volunteer Infantry, one of the last regular

army regiments organized in Georgia on 26 May 1863.

The 64th Georgia's flag is on display in the Capitol Collection, in the Capitol building in Atlanta.

It was sent to Virginia in the spring of 1864 with about 400 men and formed part of the force under

General Beauregard that thwarted Butler's attempt to take Petersburg. It was assigned the duty as provost

guards under General Wise. It continued to serve in the trenches at Petersburg, being in Mahone's division

and in brigades of Generals A.R. Wright and later General Sorrell. It eventually surrendered at

Appomattox as part of the Army of Northern Virginia.

The 64th fought at the Battle of Olustee, FL, February 20, 1864. Afterwards, it was transferred to Virginia

for the remainder of the war. The regiment aided in the repulse of the Federal attack at the Crater during

the Petersburg Campaign. The regiment participated in at least 23 battles and skirmishes. Less than 150

men remained in the ranks at the surrender at Appomattox, VA, April 9, 1865.

(Tayloe), Mahone, III BATTLES:

June 15-18, 1864

July 30, 1864 - The Crater

August 18, 1864 - Weldon Railroad

For more info be sure to go to

ftp://ftp.rootsweb.com/pub/usgenweb/ga/walton/military/civilwar/cok64reg.txt

Jesse James Mitchell talked of a cousin Golden Mitchell who had a cottage industry business common for the area, he ran a big Moonshine still . In 1922, an infamous murder of two relatives: 32 yr old Joseph (same age as Jesse James Mitchell) and 26 yr old Orion Simpson by a Deputy Sheriff Dowis who suspected them of bootlegging occurred but was later avenged by their father. According to www.simpsonhistory.com : In 1922, Joe and Orien Simpson were stopped by a deputy

sheriff in Duluth, GA, who wanted to search their car for illegal whisky (during prohibition). Apparently,

an argument began over the lack of the deputy's search warrant and the deputy's authority in that county.

Deputy Dowis first shot Orion. Joseph was shot in the back as he turned to run. It was reported that no

whisky was found in the car.

According to most reports, after the shootings, the deputy had the sheriff (who was reported to be running

moonshine, himself) backdate official credentials by three days. That was supposed to cover him from

jurisdictional issues in that county at the time of the shootings.

At later trial Deputy Dowis was found innocent of charges.

About nine months after Dowis was released from jail, his wife had a baby. The next week, he was

plowing in a field and was killed by a shotgun blast.

The Simpson’s father Alexander Hamilton Simpson Sr. on his deathbed later confessed : He went to the

Dowis farm and hid behind a fence at the end of a field that Vic Dowis was plowing. The fence was

covered in some vegetation and Alexander knew that Vic would be plowing straight toward him. He had

to wait for 10-15 minutes for Vic to get around the field to reach him. Vic was plowing with a mule and

as he approached the fence, my grandfather shot him with both barrels almost simultaneously. He was a

very short distance away, as in a few feet. He said his intent was to blow his head off, but he did not say if

he was successful. He then went back to the family gathering at his house. The entire episode was

completed in 30-45 minutes.

The “moonshine”-heritage continues to run tandem with the “ good citizens –prominent farmers” heritage to the present time. Loganville area was much later the location for scene shooting in the first 5 episodes in the popular TV series “Dukes of Hazzard” Georgians have made moonshine since the late

eighteenth century.

“The remains of Uncle Jesse's moonshine still (in "High Octane") still exist.

The still is in the forest on the property where te Duke Farm is located.”

During the colonial and antebellum periods, moonshine production played an important role

in the state's agrarian economy. The distillation of apples, corn, or peaches into whiskey,

brandy, or other alcoholic forms became a cottage industry that allowed small farmers to

obtain cash. Though most often associated with the mountainous area of north Georgia,

moonshining was practiced by farmers throughout the state.

The Scots-Irish, immigrants from the province of Ulster in Northern Ireland,

brought the practice of distilling alcohol to the backcountry of Georgia and other

American colonies during the eighteenth century.

According to Millie’s writings the Mitchells came from Dublin Ireland.

Moonshine was a practical enterprise. Farmers discovered that they could earn extra money

by manufacturing excess yields of their crops into corn whiskey or apple and peach brandy,

and selling it. Because of the region's rugged terrain and poor roads, north Georgia farmers

also found it easier and more profitable to distill some of their crops before carrying them to

market. Antebellum Georgians viewed distillers as well-respected members of the

community and denounced the federal government's attempt to impose a tax on liquor

manufacturing in the 1790s.

10Gal Georgia Still Revenue men find still

Uncle David mentioned another cousin who was very strong and had a pig farm in the area. Millie’s writings mention Aunt Candy and Uncle Fred’s farm in Loganville. Uncle

Fred Mitchell had a farm near Logansville by Uncle David. He was blind and very big about six foot and

heavy – I believe over 200 lbs. He could pick up his cattle to go to market and put them into the trucks

himself if they would guide him to the cattle.

Wilson Lumpkin Mitchell had 4 brothers and 2 sisters: Ann T, John Henry II, Jett Thomas, Susannah Matilda, Joshua Marion, Francis William and Sarah Eliza. In 1856, John Henry Mitchell II , Wilson Lumpkin Mitchell’s brother left Georgia and bought 640 acres in Upshur County in northeast Texas and brought the first Cotton Gin to be used in the area. By 1910-11, there was cotton baled up aplenty in Gilmer, Texas as can be seen .

Upshur County –Gilmer Texas 1910 -1911

Mitchell Family Cemetery John Henry Mitchell II gravestone ( Brother of Wilson Lumpkin Mitchell ) According to Ralph Simpson,The above Mitchell is in Upshur Co. TX and described as "Located between Mings Chapel and West Mountain". Here is a link with more info: http://www.cemeteries-of-tx.com/etx/upshur/cemetery/mitchell.htm

In the 1900 census Jesse James Mitchell came from Walton County – Bold

Springs uninc Loganville, Georgia area. b. 1890 age 10 living in Pickneyville Gwinnet County Georgia with mother Nettie [Long] Mitchell b.1881 . Gwinnett county includes part of Loganville. (Uncle David had said he was born in unincorporated Bold Springs section of Loganville GA) . He thinks that Jesse’s Dad was Joshua Mitchell.

Jesse James' Dad’s name was Joshua L. Mitchell b.1866 , Millie’s memoirs

transcribed by Lacy Smith say his name was Joshua. who quit school at an early age after his father had died and had a small farm and house framing-constuction business which grew into railroad bridges construction business as well. According to May1, 1904 Atlanta Constitution news article, Joshua L Mitchell was the trestle builder for the largest wooden trestle bridge in the United States up to that time. The trestle was in the Cane Creek–Brookside area which was developing rapidly as more and more coal mines were discovered. Birmingham aka the “Magic City” because all the ingredients for steel production were geologically located in close proximity.

This magnificent trestle was listed as a single track, timber-and-ballast deckbridge. It was also known as the Newfound Creek Trestle or L&N Cane Creek Line Big Trestle or No. 10 trestle and it was built to serve the Mineral Springs mine. Later during WWII it was important in the military transport of coal and explosives. In 2002 , Historical American Engineering Record division of Birmingham Historical Society’s HAER Director Eric DeLony describes it "It's a spectacular bridge, an outstanding example of classic heavy timber design," he said. "I never dreamed we'd have a bridge like this (still standing) in the heart of Dixie. Location 33° 39' 33.42" N 86° 53' 57.94" W

"Sadly this beautiful structure built by our Joshua Lafayette Mitchell

no longer survives. After over 100 years, on May 23,2006 after some careless fireworks, it burned completely and survives only in photographs and memories of Jefferson County residents.

May 23, 2006 trestle #10 burns.

This loss to Historical American Engineering and Jefferson County and the Mitchell family in 2006 was preceded by an even greater double loss 100 years before in 1906.

The 1900 census lists Jesse J Mitchell's mother's name as Nettie [Long] Mitchell

age 25 (may have been 29) and he was then 10 and the oldest of six . Other

family members listed include Frank 8, Parnell 6 (died at 79 10-20-1973 in

Birmingham) ,Seth 4,Ollie 2 , Rusbie and a Mallie Whitlock age 60 who is a nurse. In this census there is no male head of Household listed. So if this is correct it means Nettie was born 1875 or 10 years after Civil War and had 5 children starting at young age maybe 15-19 (later calculated as being 19 in 1900 and at

death records) and husband was something Mitchell ( likely Joshua) but he

wasn't listed as in household during this time.

Twenty one months after completion of the big trestle in early 1906,the family lost young Josh age 3 . He was walking along a trestle and no one held his hand and he fell several feet and stuck a lower timber, ripping open his abdomen. His father came and took him to Birmingham City Hospital but he died the next day Nellie lived a long life in Birmingham after her husband died. He was buried in Elmwood Cemetery where his grave monument still stands. Allow me to continue the family story by way of a timeline my mother’s father Jesse James Mitchell who was eldest son

of Joshua and Nettie Mitchell and 16 years at time of his father’s death.

JESSE JAMES MITCHELL B.1889 TIMELINE

11 Dec 1887 Walton County, GA Logansville, GA Norcross town, Gwinnett, GA Joshua L Mitchell married his first cousin and the person he refers to in love letters as his best friend Miss Net Long . https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/FWQT-H96

Jesse James Mitchell aka JJ Mitchell was Born 9/1/1889 Logansville, GA . Our Jesse was the firstborn son of Joshua L Mitchell b Oct 28,1866 Walton County GA and Nettie Adaline Long Mitchell b Aug 30,1871 Norcross in Gwinett County GA( A Record also shows Sarah Adaline Nettie Long)

At 10 years old – GA June Census and in school and lived in Georgia with Nettie Mitchell (25), Frank Mitchell (8), Parnell Mitchell (1894-1973; 6 years), Seth Mitchell (4), Ollie (Oliver) Mitchell (2), Rubie (Ruby) Mitchell (under year), and nurse Mallie Whitlock

The year Jesse turned 12 years old - March 7, 1902 brother, Joshua L Mitchell Jr born.

When Jesse was 15 years old - 1905- Sister, Pauline Mitchell born.

In 1906, new management at Tennessee Coal and Iron try to improve conditions for miners by revitalizing facilities including housing and conditions. Carpentry services were needed. Joshua Sr’s contracting company was busy building housing for TCI for its increasing numbers of workers in mines which included “leased convicts” at Palos. 1906 looked like it was going to be a good year. As can be seen below, in 1907 sleeping quarters for leased black convict workers certainly needed improvements .There was lots of work for a capable carpenter’s construction business. White miners had family cabins that needed to be built.

However , safety in and around mines for both workers and family members was desperately needed whether leased convicts or white miners or for the numerous underage workers .

After Palos, in 1902 the new Bessie mine opened , only 0.76 miles away; it also needed better housing constructed. Joshua Lafayette Mitchell was hired to build a big trestle toAllow for easy extraction of coal from the mines to the coke ovens.By 1904 , the big trestle was complete. More and more contruction was needed, things were looking up for the Mitchell family.

Unexpectedly , in 1906, Joshua Lafayette Mitchell Sr ‘s life would suffer a double tragedy which impacted our Mitchell family forever.

Childworkers meant injuries were common in and around the mines. The Sloss-Sheffield Iron and Steel Co owned Bessie mine was no place for children even though many like young Shorpey Higginbotham worked on the tipper as “greaser”.

For a child of only 4 an accident was even more likely. At their house near Bessie Coal Mine, a trestle bridge was just 100 yards from the house. On Feb 1, 1906 youngest son of Joshua L Mitchell, Sr his Little Josh Jr. is injured fatally and soon dies at newly built St Vincent’s hospital at age of 4 years old after falling between ties 20 feet down from that same trestle bridge .

In letter to his mother, Joshua Sr details the tragic story of Joshua Jr’s fall and severe injuries . It must have torn Joshua Sr apart emotionally to witness his Little Josh’s life slip away as he held him in his arms.

Little Juch. Joshua L. Jr Son of J.L. & Nettie Mitchell Gone but Not Forgotten.

“ Twas hard to give Thee up. But Thy will , O God be done. “

Elmwood Cemetery West Birmingham

On the day he turned 17 years old, our Jessie got the worse news possible- Sept 1, 1906 Jessie’s Father, Joshua L Mitchell, dies even though he was just under 40 years old.“NECK WAS BROKEN IN CITY PRISON” “J.L.Mitchell , a contractor from Bessie Mines Meets Peculiar Death.” “ARRESTED FOR INTOXICATION” were the headlines of various Birmingham papers. He was arrested in Capitol park 3:40 pm Saturday afternoon Aug 31, 1906 for intoxication and was placed on the cell floor where he was found dead with a broken neck the next morning at 5:30am .

Official verdict was “death by falling from his bunk and breaking his neck” after what seemed to many a superficial review. Life at Capitol Park went on but for the Mitchell family it would never be the same.

As Joseph Mitchell (Seth Jr ‘s son and nephew of Jesse) would later aptly say in his comprehensive “Life and Times of Seth Hamilton Mitchell Locomotive Engineer “ regarding Joshua Jr’s death:

“That death had a profound impact on my father and his brothers and sisters, made,perhaps,even worse by the fact that they were never able to share with their own families the real story of what happened that day.”

A grieving Nettie and the rest of the family had to endure seeing Joshua L Mitchell Sr laid to rest right beside his son Little Josh Jr at Elmwood only 7 months after first tragedy and in the same year.

Joshua had taken out a life insurance policy which meant Nettie would be better off than most widows in the area. Ten Thousand dollars was a lot considering the next family house

purchased was purchased for under one thousand dollars . Best of all it was in an area away from the mines.

Nettie and the family moved from Palos to 7801 Sloss Avenue in East Lake Alabama after settling Joshua Sr’s estate according to Joseph Mitchell’s book. East Lake was a man-made 45 acre lake with surrounding community developed for those who came to work in the steel industry. It was seven miles East from the mines and industrial Birmingham at least for a while. Later more growth of industrial Birmingham meant another move.

21 years old – AL 1910 living with mother Nettie A Mitchell Birmingham Ward 12 Jefferson AL; living with Nettie (39); Jesse J (20); Frank (18); Parnell (16); Seth (14); Oliver C Mitchell (12); Ruby M Mitchell (9); Pauline Mitchell (5)

The 1910 census shows Jesse J Mitchell as 20 and living with mother Nettie still and lists both parents born in GA but they are now living in Birmingham Ward 12 Jefferson , Alabama not Louisiana . There is reference to 26th Street Birmingham in

Millie’s writings. Other family members including . Nettie A Mitchell now listed as 39 which means born 1871 which differs from 1900 census but all other family members match exactly including Frank 18,Parnell 16 ,Seth 14,Oliver12 , Ruby M ( her name differs from Rushbie -now age 9 went on later to have a son who was an Air Force pilot who died in WWII) . Additionally, a new child Pauline Mitchell age 5 is listed which means Jesse J Mitchell's Dad is still around in 1905 but not listed as member of household According to Uncle David, sometime around 1900-1904 , Jesse James' father died or was killed in Birmingham AL during robbery either while walking in the park carrying payroll or while in jail for acting bad or something.

Linn Park -Birmingham

The young Jesse James Mitchell kept on in carpentry and headed to work in New Orleans area by himself around 1922-23, where he became a boarder, met young Mildred Belsome who will be the mother of his 3 children.

Note proximity of Division Avenue (formally Sloss Avenue ) to East Lake. Nettie was trying to escape the sadness and dirt and noise of the coal mine villages with her family.

1915 according to draft registration card home address is 2424 Acacia Birmingham and is SUPT Power Plant Const Prior to service – employed by Alabama Power Co in Huntsville AL and is unmarried. Note ,in late 1910, the family had moved 12 miles to West Birmingham so Jesse and his brothers could be closer to work.

28 July 1914 – 11 Nov 1918 WWI

26 years old - 1915 – enlisted in Army became Sargent and served in Europe as Seth did.

29 years old - 1920 Census AL Birmingham – living with Nettie (48), Frank (20), Jesse J (29), Parnell (26), Seth (24), Oliver (21). Joseph Mitchell says Jesse may have introduced his brother Seth to his future bride Effie Schmitz around this time.

Five surviving Mitchell sons of Joshua and Nettie

When 37 years old – Hamilton County Tennessee records show on 29, August 1927 Jesse J Mitchell of 2424 Arcacia Birmingham Ala Married Mildred M Mitchell b.1905 (Belsome) 22yrs of 1026 W Howard St Mississippi. Mildred and Jesse married in 1927. Hamilton county in Tenn is in the lower southeast section of Tenn. Famous for Lookout Mtn, mines of saltpeter used in gunpowder in WBTS, Pentecostal snake worshippers and Ruby Falls and Chickamauga Battle field.

1928 Jessie’s daughter Mildred Marie Mitchell born in Chattanooga TN.

Around this time Jessie and his wife spent less time in Birmingham area unlike his siblings and mother Nettie who remained in the general area . The four brothers ended up working for Tenn Coal & Iron Railroad which became part of US Steel for a combined total of 167 years.

I can only guess Jesse’s wife preferred Biloxi’s Gulf breezes to the benzene laced exhaust and particulates everywhere from the steel plants producing coke and pig-iron for the ever growing demand for steel. Even though there was less certainty of employment that the rest of the family found in Ensley and Fairfield Alabama areas Jesse and Mildred would head back to Biloxi.

This meant less and less contact from the rest of the family in Birmingham area and 1st Cousins didn’t have as good as chance to become close as they would have had if Jesse and Mildred remained in Birmingham area. Our Uncle David and his 1st older cousin Joseph Mitchell b1927 did keep in touch and it is this link which makes this family history possible.

Joshua Lafayette Mitchell Family

Joshua Lafayette and Nettie Adaline Long Mitchell

1928-1932 The Great Depression leaves 30 % or more out of work, with the stockmarket market crashing Oct 29, 1929. TCI steel production was back to 1886 levels and Birmingham was crippled by JP Morgan US Steel takeover and holding steel prices above Pittsburgh’s which further hurt the local industry and its workers. Maybe this played a part in the reason also why Jesse looked elsewhere for employment.

1932 Jessie’s son David Anthony was born.

1935 Jessie Mitchell SSN 255-051120 last residence 39530 Biloxi, Harrison, Mississippi

1938 Jesse followed carpentry /contractor work . I understand they lived in a grand house adjacent to Bull St. in Savannah.

1939 Jessie’s youngest daughter Lynda Theresa Mitchell born 1939 in Savanna Ga I was named after her great grandmother Lynd as grandmother Belsome was a Lynd before marrying a Belsome. They followed work to South Carolina but soon returned to Beal St, and Howard Ave area in Biloxi .

1940 census shows:

1949 Biloxi directory lists Jesse J (Mildred) 2 slswn Helen’s Sportswear h 110 Couevas. Lynda remembers that she “ loved listening to him..him and mama would sing together their songs melancholy baby, down by the old mill stream, just an old shanty, in old shanty town, and others.” Joseph’s book on the Mitchell’s mentions many songs his father Seth Jr loved to sing so this Mitchell tradition no doubt carried with Jesse and Mildred to Biloxi.

1950 census shows:

1952 Biloxi Directory lists Jessie J (Mildred) 1 h at 133 Washington

Jesse James and Mildred Mitchell

Aug 31, 1952 Mother, Nettie Long Mitchell dies *NOTE later Jesse dies on same date Aug 31st, in 1972. One can’t help but think of how strong a survivor and family matriarch she was.

1954 Biloxi city directory shows Jesse and Mildred living at 105 Washington in Biloxi .They helped in raising Carl who was their oldest daughter Millie’s child by her 2nd husband Carl Rubenstein.

When our Papa Jesse turn 83 years old – he dies in Mississippi August 31, 1972 Note stone says born Sept 1 1885 (should be 1889) . Jesse’s grave is in Biloxi City Cemetery and his gravestone says SGT .

It should be noted Jesse James Mitchell’s father died on same day as Jessie’s birthday and Jessie dies on the same day as his mother’s death.

Nettie [Long] Mitchell (Referencing the picture of Nettie Long with the windmill in background: below the picture Millie wrote:

Cousin of wife of Jefferson Davis)

This picture of the windmill in background is of shells and rocks Daddy built. I used to play paper dolls

under it when I visited Grandma. Your Uncle David recently dug it up bringing it to Monroe GA where

he lives. Dad was born in nearby Logansville, GA. All of the area around there used to belong to Dad and

his Uncles and family.

“Nettie” b.Aug30,1871- d.Aug30,1952 http://www.birminghamgenealogy.org/research/Angwin/page117.htm Nettie [Long]Mitchell b1871 married the Joshua L Mitchell

from Social Circle,Georgia

(Referencing the picture of Nettie Long canning)

This is your Great-grandma I was there this day they were building a new wing on the cellar she had so

many canned preserves they immediately put in a shelf. When we used to visit she’d always let us pick

out our own preserves for breakfast we’d go to the cellar and vividly eye all the luscious fruit jellies and

jams. The Mitchell’s were noted to serve big breakfasts. The day she died the Birmingham paper carried

the full details of her life. It was front-page news that’s how much she was liked. According to Millie , she made all he own quilts and had quilting parties on her large front porch in the

fall of the year. Se had seven children five sons – two of which worked for the railroad helping to pioneer

America. My dad Jesse was the oldest. The last bridge construction job was at Bay St Louis he helped

build the bridge. Strangely enough years later he died at Bay St Louis hospital the Veterans hospital.

Other Mitchells

Other Joshua Mitchells lived in the area as well.

1.Joshua M Mitchell (born sometime about 1835 served in

civil war and could be son of farmer Jesse Mitchell b1802

and Francis b1807 of Walton,Monroe area)

2. Joshua b1827 the physician-Civil War vet whose

mother Ruth b1787 came from NC and who was

living in Monroe GA in 1860

Best I have on Joshua or Jesse Mitchells going back in

1800's using Monroe,Social Circle,Gwinnet County,Loganville

Georgia areas only is:

in 1860 census Ruth Mitchell b1787 North Carolina farmer

living in Monroe Walton Ga with son Joshua b1827-(physician

fought CSA entered 1st Lieut left Captain Co B 3rd State

Reg,POW exchanged ) and Ruth's son FM b1828 farmer and

Sarah Lamb 27 and Anna Lamb 2

in 1870 census Jesse Mitchell b1802 of Walton,Monroe-post

office ,farmer wife Francis b1807 and Fannie ? there is

reference in Civil War records to a Joshua M Mitchell CSA

42 Georgia Infantry who went in a private and left as

Captain

Mollie Mitchell b1842 and son Joshua F Mitchell b1872

Social Circle, not sure who was her husband

[ ]Mitchell but estimate his birthdate about 1835.

In 1930 there is a James J Mitchell of Good Hope Walton

Ga b1874 living with wife Anna O and daughter Margaret

b1911.

A Famous Loganville Person is :

Poppylady Moira B. Michael, known as the "Poppy Lady." She developed the symbol of the red Flanders Field Poppy as a memorial emblem for

the veterans of wars

The red poppy worn around the world in remembrance of battlefield deaths has nothing to do with the blood shed in the brutal clashes of World War I.

Instead it symbolizes the wild flowers that were the first plants to grow in the churned-up soil of soldiers' graves in Belgium and northern France. Little else could grow in the blasted soil that became rich in lime from the rubble.

Their paper-thin red petals were the first signs of life and renewal, and in 1915 inspired Canadian doctor John McCrae to pen perhaps the most famous wartime poem:

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row...

In July 2014, some of the descendents of Jesse James Mitchell had a re-union with Seth

Mitchell‘s son Joseph Mitchell and his family. Here is a photograph of them all.

Here is reunion picture of some of the descendants of Joshua Mitchell and Nettie Long .

These descendants represent the Jesse James Mitchell and Seth Mitchell branch.

Upper Row L to R is Lacy Smith, Harold Phillips, Jeremiah Whittaker(Lindberg),Randall Lindberg, Antionen Scott

,David Whisnant , Bob Lindberg, Anne Whisnant.

Lower row L to R

Norma Mitchell, James Scott, Joseph Mitchell, Brianna Scott and Derek Whisnant.

1)4 children from Mildred Marie Mitchell include Randall, Bob, Lacy and Antionen

2)Harold Phillips is Antionen's father and Millie's 5th husband.

3)Antionen's husband is James Scott and one of her two children Brianna is in picture.

4)Joe and Norma's only daughter Anne is in picture with her husband and one of their sons Derek.

5)Lacy's father Lacy was Millie's 3rd husband.

6)Randall is first born son of Millie and Horace Lindberg and Bob was their second son.

7)Joe Mitchell's father Seth was brother to Jesse James Mitchell. Joe taught Divinity studies at Duke.

8) Joe's Uncle Jesse James Mitchell was married to Mildred Belsome Mitchell and their children included Mildred

(Millie) and David and Lynda.

9)Our Uncle David married to Helen lived in Biloxi in 2005 during Hurricane Katrina and was first cousin to Joe

Mitchell who lived mostly in Birmingham area in his early years.

10)So for young Brianna in the picture her parents are James and Antionen and Antionen's parents are Harold

Phillips and Millie Mitchell and Millie's parents are Mildred and Jesse James Mitchell and Jesse's parents are

Joshua Mitchell and Nettie Long. So for young Brianna, Joshua Lafayette Mitchell the handsome man in cowboy

hat is her 2X or great ,great -grandfather.