David and Margaret Mitchell, First Generation

Margaret Mitchell-Small

3. Margaret Mitchell-Small. Born, 1769, in Cumberland County, in that part now know as Franklin County, Pa. and probably on the “Troublesome Jobb” place, located as nearly as can be ascertained, about three miles from the present Mercersburg on a small branch of the Conococheagwe, called “Licking Creek.” She was baptized by Rev. John Cuthbertson May 27, 1770, “presented by the mother.” She was given the pet name of “Peggy.” Married to James Small in Kentucky, about 1788 and lived on land deeded him by her father. In 1804, they moved with the other colonists to Greene County, O., and settled on farm near Cedarville. This family appear to be the single one that fully concurred ‘ with their parents’ Covenanter views. Some of them are yet members of that branch of the Christian Church, one of the youngest a minister of it. He died before 184, and she in 1855. Mrs. Elizabeth Bell writes: “I remember Mother Small very well. She was a dear old lady. I can hear her voice yet, quavering and trembling as she, with her family, knelt in prayer at the family altar morning and evening. She was a strong beautiful character. She was ready to give the helping hand to those in need. Grandfather died before I was born, at least I have no recollection of him. Grandmother got a pension of $40 a year, for I do not know how long. (Clear evidence of James having been a revolutionary soldier.) She was tall and very straight, had led a very busy life, was one of the Lord’s children, a member of the Covenanter church.”

Children:

1. 27 Margaret ;
2. 28 Elizabeth;
3. 29 Susanna;
4. 30 Sarah;
5. 31 Ruth;
6. 32 James;
7. 33 Nancy;
8. 34 Martha;
9. 35 David M.;
10. 36 Cuthbertson.

Sarah Mitchell

4. Sarah Mitchell, born on the “Troublesome Jobb” plantation, already referred to, about the year 1772. No tradition of her existence has been known among any of the living of to-day. The basis for giving her a place in this genealogical list lies in the fact that her name is given to children of various immediate descendants, and we know that it was a tenaciously held custom to thus honor the precious dead. Also, because the same testimony that relates to the baptism of the three older children gives her baptism.

Mr. Cuthbertson wrote in his diary:

“Feb. 28, (17’73) Sabbath. Preached and baptized David, son to Humphrey Fullerton: Marion to John Gebby, and Sarah to David Mitchell, presented by the mother.”

(Humphrey Fullerton was one of the witnesses to the deed made by David and Margaret Mitchell in 1778.)

She must have died in early childhood. It is probable her little grave is marked by a sand-stone slab, and is not far from Mercersburg.

Ruth Mitchell-Kyle

5. Ruth Mitchell-Kyle. She was born in the fort at Lexington, March 7, 1783. Married, 1801, Samuel, son of Joseph, who was son of Samuel Kyle or Kol of Licking Creek, near Mercersburg, Franklin Co., Pa. The first families of the Kyles, like the Laugheads, had settled early in the 18th century in Lancaster County, Pa. Judge Kyle was for thirty years associate judge in Greene Co., O., and much longer an elder in the church. For a full account of his honorable career we will refer readers to the several histories of Greene County, O., and to the Jackson Genealogy,” published by Rev. Hugh Parks Jackson. An advertisement which has been copied from the Kentucky Gazette, shows that they were living about five miles from Lexington on the Leestown (probably Leesburgh) road, and near Bryant Station, and on land bought of his father-in-law, and which he sold on June 24, 1805, and then moved to Ohio, following the colony of the previous year.

In this connection the letter of Margaret to “Sam-a and Ruth-e” will prove interesting. Ruth was a beautiful and dutiful daughter and being the last child of her mother, greatly beloved. Her early demise Sept. 13, 1873, at the birth of her sixth child, was a severe blow to her mother. The subdued, restrained feeling of the latter is expressed in her journal. Her remains were the first of her family to be buried in the Massie’s Creek church yard. Afterward the father’s grave was made on her right and her mother’s on the left side.

Judge Kyle again married, Feb. 17, 1815, Rachel Jackson, who bore him fifteen children.

Children of Judge and Ruth Kyle:

1. 37 Margaret;
2. 38 Catherine;
3. 39 Elizabeth;
4. 40 Joseph;
5. 41 David M.;
6. 42 Samuel