John William MITCHELL

Life History (Two Versions) John Mitchell arrived in America at the age of 11, he wasbound/apprenticed to a sailor. He ran away from the ship when theymade port at Yorktown, Virginia and eventually made his way up toHampshire County, Virginia where he was drafted into the VirginiaMilitia at theage of 17. He was wounded in the shoulder anddischarged, but re-enlisted and was present when Cornwallissurrendered to George Washington. After the war he became a ministerandpreached for 40 years, first as a Methodist-Episcopal and lateraProtestant Methodist. He move to Harrison County, Virginia (now LewisCounty, West Virginia) in 1803 where he lived until his death. Hebuilt Harmony Methodist Church on his farm and it is there today. Hedivided his time between preaching, farming, teaching and fightingIndians. Rev. John Mitchell, a soldier in the American Revolution, came toAmerica from Dawston, Lancashire Co., England in 1774 at the age of11, bound to a sailor. He ran away from the ship when they made portin Yorktown, VA. and eventually made his way up to Hampshire Co., VA.where he was drafted into the Virginia militia at age 17. He waswounded in the shoulder and discharged, but re-enlisted and waspresent when Cornwallis surrendered to George Washington. After thewar he became a minister and preached the gospel for 40 years, firstin the Methodist-Episcopal church and later with the ProtestantMethodist. He moved to Harrison, Co., VA. (now Lewis Co., WestVirginia) in 1803 where he lived the rest of his life. He built theHarmony Methodist Church on his farm and there is still a churchtoday. He was the first school teacher in that area. He divided histime between preaching, teaching, farming and fighting Indians. Hemarried Catherine Margaret Teter in 1783. They were the parents of 8children: George Teter, William, Abner, John, Paul, Mary who marriedGeorge Cookman, and Margaret Mitchell. Catherine died in 1803 and is buried in an unmarked grave on the farm.John married the second time to Susannah Washburn 3 Dec 1804 and theywere the parents of 7 children: Rebecca, Eli, Catherine who marriedPhillip Petty, Isaac, Benonni, Elizabeth who married George Bent, andCassandra Mitchell. Rev. John Mitchell died 29 Apr 1840 and is buried in the familycemetery on his farm.

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