Mitchell, David and Margaret: First Generation - Page 5

The following data is extracted from David and Margaret Mitchell Genealogy.

2. Mitchell, James, was born not far from Carlisle, Pa., in 1765 ; was baptized by Rev. John Cuthbertson, April 3, 1'766, and was fourteen years of age when taken to Kentucky, in 17'79. Here, in the fort and in the field, he shared with his parents the hardships of pioneering. In 1783, though but eighteen years old, he was donated a lot in Lexington by the trustees. That he owned a farm in Fayette Co., is not certain, though the data have not been obtained. The better probability is that he lived on and cultivated the large farm of his father till he moved to Ohio. He was married, Oct. 9, 1794, to Martha, dau. of Josiah and Elizabeth (Patterson) Espy by Rev. Adam Rankin, pastor of the Associate Reformed Church. They became Associate Presbyterians (Seceders) when Rev. Robert Armstrong became pastor. Mr. Armstrong was much beloved by them and for him they named one of their sons, the father of the writer. Martha was but sixteen years of age at her marriage, very vivacious and sparkling in her wit,and captivated the bachelor heart of James, who was thirteen years her senior. She was of a distinguished family.* Her brother Josiah served in the war department under Secretary Edmund Randolph. He afterward was elected a member of the Pennsylvania legislature, but not liking the ways of partisanism he retired from political affairs, became a merchant, afterward Cashier of the Franklin Bank, Columbus, O. In 1805, before his marriage, he visited his relatives in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio. A journal of his trip which he made was published by Robert Clarke & Co. of Cincinnati, in the Ohio Valley Historical Series. In that journal he speaks of his brother-in-law, James, saying, "Mr. Mitchell resides on the Little Miami, about forty miles from its mouth. He has a fine family of children, considering they have been raised in the wilderness. Their names are Margaret, David, Eliza, Anna, Maria and James Espy."

It was at this time he, Josiah, saw his mother, Elizabeth (Patterson) Espy, who had become a widow in Nov. 1801. She was making her home with her daughter Martha, having come with her from Kentucky in 1804. He speaks tenderly of the meeting, not having seen her for seventeen years. This mother died suddenly at the residence of her daughter, Nov. 19, 1809, and her remains lie in the Massie's Creek graveyard,

Source: David and Margaret Mitchell Genealogy

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