William Douglass Mitchell

b. 3 June 1830, d. 10 January 1907
  • William Douglass Mitchell was born on 3 June 1830 in Alabama.
  • James L. Mitchell and Elizabeth H. Douglass appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1850 in Vernon, Autauga County, Alabama. Other members of the household included William Douglass Mitchell, Cornelia Josephine Mitchell, Laura Mitchell, Charles J. Mitchell and Sarah Douglass Mitchell.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1850 census.
  • James L. Mitchell wrote to his first wife's brother Bolling Hall Jr. on 15 August 1853, "On our arriving in Texas last winter as you have learned I have no doubt, long before this, that we had much suffering, from deep and distressing affliction; and lost my Son Bolling, and fourteen negroes. Causes unavoidable, under the most inclement season that ever occured, produced the distressing calamity. my family all were sick except myself and son Douglass. . . Could I have but kept my son Bolling, the ballance of loss, which I estimate at $10,000 would have been considered as nothing. . . ."
  • He married Francis H. McGowan, daughter of Samuel McGowan and Mary A. (?), circa 1854.
  • Included in Green Wood's list of 1856 subscriptions written inside the front cover of the 1856-1857 daily plantation account book: "Sept. 9th 1856, Enclosed to A.D.P. Nicholson for the Union two gold Dollars, one to be sent to Douglass Mitchell, Cold Springs P.C."
  • William Douglass Mitchell and Francis H. McGowan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1860 in Plantersville PO, Grimes County, Texas. Other members of the household included Mary Alice Mitchell, Lillie Josephine Mitchell, Anna Hall Mitchell and Joseph Mitchell. Also in the household overseer F. L. Fields, age 29, born in Lousiana. The Mitchell family was living near the Isaac Baker Jr. household; James Mitchelll and Jonathan Farley, early settlers of Montgomery, Alabama, were the fathers, respectively, of William Mitchell and Jane Pinkston Baker's mother Thermitus Farley.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1860 census.
  • On 30 August 1861, William Douglass Mitchell wrote to Bolling Hall Jr.:
         Cold Springs, Aug 30th /61.
    My Dear Uncle,
         As I have an opportunity of sending a letter directly to you by Mr Clepper who is en route for the seat of War in Virginia, as a volunteer in Col Terries regiment of mounted rangers, I will drop you a line. The war feeling engrosses the attention of all here, we hear of nothing but war and rumours of wars. Our county has sent two hundred men to Virginia and have two companies, one of Artilery and one of Cavalry, in the state, for confederate Service, so you see although we are in the back woods, we know our duties as patriotic citizens and members of the Southern Confedracy. Leroy left for virginia a week ago in Mr Powels Company, which is one of the twenty companies called for from this State by the President. My Father is now living in Robertson County on the Brazos. He was well when I heard from him. Charlie is married and living near me, he is doing well. Brother James is living in Grimes County in the Mill business, he is doing only tolerably well. Our Crops of corn were never better than they are this year. The Cotton crop will not be a good average crop owing to dry weather, from ten to twelve hundred per acre will be an average of this county. I received a letter from Josephine a few days ago, she states that all were well but that they had had a great deal of sickness in their family. Major Wood is suffering a great deal with inflamation of the eyes it is thought he will loose his sight. I have intended for some time to write to you on the subject of Margret Bailies Estate, have the heirs of my Mother any interest in that Estate, if not please let me know, by what act they have been debarred I would be glad to hear from you occasionally, and from my other relatives in Alabama. My warmest regards to all of my friends and believe me ever yours, Affectionately
              W. D. Mitchell
    Minimal punctuation added by the transcriber to enhance readability.
  • William Douglass Mitchell and Francis H. McGowan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1870 in Livingston PO, Polk County, Texas. Other members of the household included Mary Alice Mitchell, Anna Hall Mitchell, Lewis Mitchell, Ellen Douglas Mitchell, Mary Josephine Mitchell and Mary A. (?)
  • He was farming, according to the 1870 census.
  • William Douglass Mitchell and Francis H. McGowan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1880 in San Jacinto County, Texas. Other members of the household included Anna Hall Mitchell, Ellen Douglas Mitchell, Mary Josephine Mitchell, William Bolden Mitchell, Annie J. Mitchell and Sallie C. Mitchell.
  • He was a farmer, according to the 1880 census.
  • William Douglass Mitchell and Francis H. McGowan appeared in the US federal census of 1 June 1900 in San Jacinto County, Texas. Other members of the household included Mary Josephine Mitchell.
  • He was a landlord, according to the 1900 census.
  • William Douglass Mitchell died on 10 January 1907 at age 76.
  • His wife Francis H. McGowan became a widow at his death.
  • He was interred at Camilla Hill Cemetery, San Jacinto County, Texas.
  • Last Edited: 9 Aug 2014

Family: Francis H. McGowan b. 4 June 1834, d. 25 January 1918