The Mitchell Family as we know it got its beginning with James Arthur Mitchell. James Arthur Mitchell was born December 11, 1880 in Washington DC. James’ mother’s name was believed to be Mary Mitchell of Charles County, Maryland and his father, Christy Johnson of West Maryland, Virginia. At the age of thirteen he came to the Eastern Shore of Maryland on a water boat with a man by the name of Sam Chase. While living in Wetipquin, Maryland he met and married my grandmother, Leola Robinson. From that “Holly Union” they had ten Children.
The oldest child, Minnie Warren was born March 7, 1901. She was educated in Wetipquin, MD. She was married to the late Noah Elijah McCoy and from that union were three children; Lillian, Henry and Elsie. Aunt Minnie was a member of the Household of Ruth Lodge of Wetipquin, MD also a member of United Methodist Women of Else United Methodist Church of Jesterville, MD. She lived a number of years in Newark, N.J. before moving back to Jesterville, MD.
Robert Charles Mitchell the second child born September 7, 1903. He grew up as many young men did on the Eastern Shore, a simple Christian life enjoying the water. Uncle Robert was known as “Boogoloo” to friends and family. He worked twenty-five years at J.I. Wells Creosote Company, Quantico, MD. He loved to oyster and fish. Uncle Robert built many of the homes in Wetipquin including the one he raised his family.
Robert had ten children and truly loved to be with them and his grandchildren. With his first wife Leola he had one daughter, Cleo, a second daughter Valerie by his second wife Myrtle. With his third wife Oice, Robert had four sons; Leon, Robert, Stanley, and Wayne, three daughters Phyllis, Diane, and Yolanda. With his friend, Geraldine he had one more son Lonnie. The children had fond memories of their Dad working on his Mustang in the yard, always so loving washing and waxing her down. The third child a daughter, Marsoline, died at the age of fifteen.
Amos Arthur Mitchell, born August 22, 1908. He attended Wetipquin Elementary school, went on to Salisbury MD at Salisbury High School, graduating in 1928. After finishing high school he when to Chester PA for a short while before going to Trenton NJ for a short while then on to Stamford Conn. He lived for 25 years in Newark, NJ before moving back home to Wetipquin.
He met and married Priscilla Nemeses in 1935. He had four children by her, Iris, Arthur, Edgar and James. While in Newark he owned a barber shop before the war in 1941. During the war he worked in a defense plant in Montclair NJ. He owned a garage and a school bus. Uncle Amos was a leader of the 4H Club and the Boy Scouts of America. He also supervised the Community playground. He was one of the founder of Shore Up Inc. as well as president of the Community Organization for Process.
Mabel Mitchell Gattis the fifth child, born March 25, 1911. She received her education in Wetipquin and Salisbury, MD. Aunt Mabel joined the church at an early age, serving as president of the usher board, member of the senior choir, young adult counselor, and president of the Methodist Women at Friendship United Methodist Church. Aunt Mabel was a member of the Household of Ruth #3008 as well as Past District Most Noble Governor of District House of Ruth #27 for the state Maryland. Aunt Mabel favorite hymus were “May the work I’ve done speak for me” and “He knows how much you can bare”. Aunt Mabel was a very pleasant and always willing to do whatever she could. She was married to Norman Gattis. Aunt Mabel had one daughter Loretta Gale, one grand-daughter, Geraldine Stanford two great grandchildren; Chappelle and Howard and five step children Orzetta, Ruth, Lester, Isaac, and Nelson.
Launia Jones the sixth child born November 17, 1913. She also attended grade school in Wetipquin. Aunt Launia attended high school in Nanticoke and Salisbury, Maryland. Aunt Launia was a member of Friendship United Methodist church and held offices on the usher board, United Methodist Women and Communion of Stewart. Aunt Launia was Director, District Right Noble Government District Government for the Household of Ruth # 3008 in Wetipquin, MD and #27 for the state of Maryland.
These meetings were held in places like North Carolina, South Carolina, Baltimore, New Orleans, California, Boston, Niagara Falls, Washington, Virginia and Gary Indiana. Aunt Launia favorite hymens were “Because he lived and One day at a time”. She married Ira Linwood Jones in the late 1930’s and they adopted one daughter, Jackie Taylor and raised three others Dorothy Mae, Connie and Diana. Aunt Launia work at the canning factor during the summer and Swift, and Coldwater Seafood until her illness in 1981.
James Lober Mitchell the seventh child, born May 9, 1916. James received his education in Wetipquin and Salisbury, MD. At a later age he met and married Pearline W. Taylor and from that union they had seven children Joyce Priscilla, James Arthur, Jerome Russell, Ronald Taylor, David Eugene, Linda Desaline and Bryant Charles.
He attended CC Camp on the Western Shore of Maryland and served in World War II in England, France and Germany. Upon returning back to civilian life, he then began to work in the carpentry field, as well as on the water. He worked for over thirty years at Peninsula Goslee Company in Salisbury Maryland. He was a member of Veteran of Foreign Wars Post #10159, Grand United Order of Odd Fellows, District # 14 Household of Ruth and District #27 of Maryland. James was a member of the Methodist Men of Friendship United Methodist Church. He was also a member of the Trustee Board of Friendship. Jim as some called him, loved to play baseball in his younger days. He played for many teams including one great team, the Well’s Red Socks.
The eighth child, a baby boy name Leroy died three days after birth. The ninth child Agnes Mitchell Wilson, born August 13, 1923 in Wetipquin, MD. Agnes met and married George Wilson of Head of Creek MD and from that union she had twin girls Connie and Winnie a son Millard and a daughter Frenzella, and a daughter-in law Elvia. She was a member of Friendship United Methodist Church, served as president of the Communion of Steward and a member of the usher board.
Aunt Agnes attended elementary school in Wetipquin, MD, junior high school and senior high school in Newark NJ. She retired from Coldwater Seafood Inc. in Cambridge, MD after 27 years. She served on jury duty in Salisbury, MD for three months and the Special Grand Jury in Baltimore, MD for twenty-four months. Aunt Agnes was a member of the Grand United order of Odd Fellows in America, member of the Household of Ruth #3008 where she was Worthy Recorder, a member of the District Household of Ruth #27.
She traveled extensively with the Old Fellows all over the United States. Aunt Agnes favorite saying was: Live each day to the fullest, get the most from each hour each day and each age of your life. Then you can look forward with confidence, and look back without regrets. Be yourself- but be your best self. Dare to be different and to follow your own star and don’t be afraid to be happy. Enjoy what is beautiful, love all you heart and soul. Believe those you love, love you. When you are faced with a decision, make that decision as wisely as possible, and then forget it. The moment of absolute certainty never arrases. Above all remember God helps those who help themselves. Act as if everything depended upon you and pray as if everything depended upon God.
Lillie Mae Mitchell Nutter was born the tenth child November 3, 1927. She lived in Wilmington Delaware for thirty years, where she was a member of Union AME Zion Church. She served on the Pastor’s Aid and Communion Steward. She was a member of the Sigma Gamma Phi Sorority where she held several offices. She married Wayland Nutter of Jesterville MD and had two children, a son Arsemus Wayland and a daughter Willa Maris, two grandchildren Arsemus Jr. and Heather, one daughter-in-law Joyce.
She moved back to Jesterville and became a member of Elsey United Methodist Church. Aunt Lillie Mae was a member of the United Methodist Women and Treasurer of the Get Up and Go Club. Aunt Lillie Mae attended Wetipquin Elementary School and Salisbury High School. She graduated from Maryland State College, now known as the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne MD She attended Bowie State College and the University of Delaware where she earned her plus 30 degrees.
She taught special education for twenty-five years, three years in Frankford DE, and two years at Woods Haven School for Girls in Claymont, DE and the rest of teaching was at Redding Middle School in Middletown De. Aunt Lillie Mae also traveled extensity in the United States as well as Africa. Aunt Lille favorite poem;
“Don’t Ever”
Don’t ever try to understand everything; some things will just never make sense. Don’t ever be reluctant to show your feeling when you are happy; give in to it when you are not, live with it. Don’t ever be afraid to try to make things better, you might be surprised at the results. Don’t ever take the weight of the world on your shoulder. Don’t ever feel threaten by the future; take life one day at a time. Don’t feel guilty about the past, what done is done. Learn from any mistakes you might have made, you are only human. Don’t ever feel that you are alone; there is always somebody there to reach out to. Don’t ever forget that you can achieve so many of the things you imagine. Don’t ever stop loving, don’t ever stop believing, and don’t ever stop dreaming your dreams.
Submitted by Cousin
David E. Mitchell
The Mitchell Family
Wetipquin, Maryland