Mitchell Family of Cecil County, MD

The Mitchell Family of Cecil County, Maryland

The below article was prepared by the Cecil County Historical Society and presented to us for publication by JoAnne Ostergren Yates.

It is not known when or by whom this article was written.

The Mitchells of Cecil County are of Scotch-Irish extraction, and are the descendants of Dr. Abraham Mitchell, a Celebrated physician and native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who settled at or near the Head of Elk, as Elkton [Maryland] was then called, some time previous to 1767, at which time he was practicing his profession near that place. But little is known of his early history, except that he was a cousin of the Rev. Alexander Mitchell, a distinguished Presbyterian minister who for many years near the close of the last and in the early part of the present century, was pastor of the Doe Run and Upper Octonaro churches, in Chester County.

Dr. Mitchell was about twenty-five years of age when he came to this country; and there is a tradition in the family, that having completed his medical studies, his father presented him with a horse, saddle and saddle bags, and five hundred dollars in cash, when he started out to seek a favorable location to practice his profession. He soon lost the money in his possession by going security for a friend, but being of robust constitution and possessed of great energy, nothing daunted, set himself to work manfully to repair the loss.

In 1769 he leased a lot in Elkton, and subsequently erected thereon the dwelling-house on Main Street, now owned and occupied by James T. McCullough, Esq., who, in 1845 married his granddaughter, Catherine W. Mitchell. Elkton was an insignificant village at that time, and probably did not contain more than five or six good houses, among which were those now occupied by Dr. R. H. Tull the old post office building, which was built in 1768; and the houses now occupied by John Partridge, Esq., Hon. Alexander Evans, and Colonel George R. Howard. It is worthy of remark in this connection, as showing the insignificance of the place, that the lob before-mentioned is described as being near Glover's Hill, which is the hill west of Little Elk Creek, now owned by Alfred Wetherell.

Dr. Abraham Mitchell seems to have been fond of agricultural pursuits, a trait that has been inherited by most of his descendants, for he subsequently leased a large quantity of land near the mouth of Mill Creek, which empties into the Little Elk near Glover's Hill, and in 1779 purchased a hundred acres, part of New Castle back landing, which was situated on the Elk River, next above Frenchtown.

Dr. Mitchell was one of the most distinguished physicians of his time, which is shown by the fact that his practice extended over the grater part of Cecil and embraced part of Harford and New Castle counties. He was a true patriot, and showed his devotion to the cause of his country during the Revolutionary War by converting his home into a hospital for the use of the wounded soldiers of the Continental Army, many of whom availed themselves of his kindness and professional skill. See Elkton.

On the 19th of November, 1772, he married Mary Thompson, daughter of Dr. Ephraim Thompson, who was the son of Richard, who was the son of Richard, who was the son of the John Thompson who married Judith Herman, the second daughter of Augustine Herman, the founder of Bohemia Manor.

in 1781 he purchased two hundred acres of land at Fair Hill, and some time afterwards removed there, but subsequently returned to Elkton, and for a time resided in the Mansion house on Main Street, now occupied by Dr. R. F. Tull. He subsequently returned to Fair Hill and in the latter part of his life became a member of Rock church. He had previously, in 1777, been a liberal subscriber to the salary of the Rev. Mr. Thompson, rector of North Elk Parish.

He died at Fair Hill, September 30th, 1817, in the eighty-fourth year of his age.

Dr. Mitchell and wife were the parents of eight children, two of whom died in infancy. Of his sons, George Edward was born March 3d, 1781, and will be noticed at length hereafter. Ephraim Thompson, bvorn March 17th, 1783, was endowed by nature with considerably more talent than generally falls to the lot of man. He studied law with William Pinoney, and practiced his profession in this [Cecil] county, and died in the service of his country in the lst war with Great Britain, on Lake Erie, on board the transport Lady Provost, en route from Detroit to Fort George. Abraham David Mitchell, their third son, was born on the 1st day of December, 1786. They were the parents of nine children as follows:

  1. Ephrain Thompson
  2. Robert Evans
  3. Abraham David
  4. Alexander
  5. John Jay
  6. James Evans
  7. and Mary, the wife of Judge James W. Evans
  8. Jane Evans, wife of William T. West
  9. and Margaret, wife of Richard D. Hall

Abraham D. Mitchell was a member of the company of Light Horsemen commanded by John R. Evans, of this county, in the war of 1812....

Dr. Abraham Mitchell

Another Article from Cecil County Historical Society, author and date not known.
Submitted for publication by JoAnne Ostergren Yates

The progenitor of the Mitchell family of Cecil County was Dr. Abraham Mitchell, a native of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, who settled at or near Head of Elk when he was about 25 years old.

In 1769 he leased a lot in the town and subsequently erected thereon a dwelling which is now the residence of Judge and Mrs. E. D. E. Hollins on East Main Street.

Dr. Mitchell was a prominent physician and his practice extended over the greater part of Cecil County [Maryland] and parts of the adjacent counties of Harford and New Castle. He showed his patriotism and devotion to the ause of independence during the Revolutionary War by converting his house into a hospital for the care of wounded soldiers of the Continental Army, many of whom were recipients of his kindness and professional skill.

On November 19, 1772, he married Mis Mary Thompson, who was a great-great-granddaughter of Augustine Herman. They were the parents of eight children, two of whom died young.

in 1781, he purchased 200 acres of land at Fair Hill and some time afterwards removed there. He built the stone house now standing at the cross roads which was later known as Hess's Tavern. In the latter part of his life Dr. Mitchell became a member of Rock Church. He had previously been a liberal subscriber to the salary of the Rev. William Thompson, who was in charge of North Elk Parish from 1773 to 1781.

Dr. Mitchell died at Fair Hill on the 30th of September, 1817, in his 84th year.

Col. George E. Mitchell

From Cecil County Historical Society - author and date not given
Submitted for publication by JoAnne Ostergren Yates

Colonel George Edward Mitchell, son of Dr. Abraham and Mary (Thompson) Mitchell, was born on March 3, 1781, He studied medicine under the tuition of his father and after attending the medical department of the University of Pennsylvanie was licendsed to practice his profession. While practicing in partnership with his father in Elkton [Maryland] in 1806, he was elected to seat in the General Assembly of Maryland.

For his distinguished services during the War of 1812, he was breveted Colonel in the regular army. He resigned his commission on June 1, 1821, and returned to Cecil County [Maryland] and engaged in agricultural pursuits on the family homestead at Fair Hill, which he inherited from his father.

In the fall of 1822 he was elected a member of the 18th Congress as a Democrat to represent the Congressional District then composed of Cecil, Kent, and Harford counties. He was re-elected in the fall of 1824. So great was his popularity in the 4th District of Cecil County that the people devoutly followed his leadership, and from his time down to the present the district has been known as the Gibralter of Democracy.

He did not stand for Congress in 1826, but was again elected in 1828 and 1830. In October 1831 he suffered a stroke of paralysis in his office at Fair Hill, which caused his death on the 28th of the following June.

On May 28, 1816, Col. Mitchell married Miss Mary Hooper, daughter of Samuel Hooper, of Corchester County, Maryland. They were the parents of seven children.

Dr. Henry H. Mitchell

A clipping from the Cecil Democrat - October 3, 1896

Furnished by Cecil County Historical Society and
Contributed for Publication by JoAnne Ostergren Yates.

Dr. Henry Hooper Mitchell died at the residence of his sister, Mrs. James T. McCullough, on Main Street in Elkton on September 27, 1996, aged 76 years.

Dr. Mitchell was born at Fair Hill on February 28, 1820. He was a son of Colonel George E. Mitchell and a grandson of Dr. Abraham Mitchell, both prominent physicians. His early education was received at West Nottingham Academy. When 18 years old he began the study of medicine under Dr. Amos A. Evans, and later graduated from the University of Pennsylvania. He soon acquired fame as a physician and surgeon and enjoyed a large practice.

He entered politics at an early age and at once assumed a dominant leadership that brooked no interference and lasted for many years. In 1851 he as elected Clerk of the Circuit Court as a Democrat over Joseph W. Veazey, Whig, when Cecil County was strongly of the latteer persuasion. He was the first Clerk ever to be elected in the county, the office previously having been filled by the Judges.

He remained a bechelor until quite late in life, and then married Miss Henrietta Getty, daughter of Prof. John A. Getty, on April 5, 1870. She survived her marriage less than a year.

Dr. Mitchell's death removed from the community one of it's most conspicuous figures. He was a man of great force of character and wielded extensive influence.

He left an estate valued at about $70,000, consisting of three farms in the 2nd District, the Howard House and stables, a well-known drug-store, Vinsinger's mill, three dwellings and a number of building lots in Elkton.

Arthur Whitely Mitchell

Article from Cecil County Historical Society - No Author or Date Given
Submitted for publication by JoAnne Ostergren Yates

Arthur Whiteley Mitchell died at his home in Elkton on November 23, 1885, after an illness of about four weeks. He was a son of Col. George E. Mitchell and Mary Hooper, of Dorchester County, from whose half-brother, Arthur Whiteley, he received his name. Eh was born at the family homestead at Fair Hill, and was about 60 years old. He went to Elkton with his brother, Dr. Henry Hooper Mitchell, when the latter commenced the practice of Medidine there and took charge of Mitchell's drug-store, which he managed for about 40 years until obliged by illness to retire.

in 1855 he was elected a County Commissioner and served for one term, his colleagues being Davidson D. Pearce and Jethro T. McCullough. In 1873 he was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court for Cecil County and served for six years. To him more than to any other person was due the success of the Agricultural Society and the annual Fair which flourished from 1880 to 1897.

On April 26, 1876, he married Miss Mary E. Lewis, who survived him with their two sons, H. Arthur and Robert L., both of whom became prominent physicians.

The interment was in the cemetery of Elkton Presbyterian church, of which he had been a member for many years.

His pall-bearers were Dr. R. C. Mackall, Adam R. Magraw, John Gilpin, Dr. Thomas H. Musgrove, Dr. Joseph V. Wallace, Dr. John H. Jamar, Dr. Charles M. Ellis, John Perkins, N. P. Manly, and Isaac F. Vanarsdale.

Mitchell House to be Restored

From The Cecil Democrat - March 21, 1979, page 5
Furnished by Cecil County Historical Society
Submitted for publication by JoAnne Ostergren Yates

The Mitchell House, built in 1764 and located at Fair Hill, at the crossroads of Routes 273 and 213, will be restored to its original architecture, both interior and exterior, and converted into a colonial restaurant. The Elk Creeks Preservation Society Inc., has been working with the Department of Natural Resources of Maryland and the Maryland Historical Trust for the past three years to bring about the restoration and utilization of this pre-revolutionary structure. The building and 1.5 acres of land was bought form the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) by Anthony and Marge Grazziano. The deed to the building contains an easement which is controlled by the Maryland Historical Strust and states that all restoration must conform to the original 1764 architecture. This easement will be binding upon the new owner. The Elk Creeks Preservation Society Inc., is currently working toward the stabilazation and restoration of other historically significant sites and buildings located in the Big and Little Elk Creek Valleys. (View restored home as Fair Hill Inn.)


For more Mitchell Family Genealogy see Five Generations of Mitchell Genealogy.


Published and � Copyrighted July 5, 2003 by Betty Naff Mitchell