Susannah Jane Randall

Daughter of Oney Cypress Randal and Susannah W. Wilkins, Susannah Jane Randal, known to friends and family as Jane, was born October 5, 1842, in Franklin County, Georgia.

Susannah Jane Randal met, and would later marry, Elisha W. Mitchell. This is significant because her brother, Anderson Smith Randal, had married Sophia Mitchell (Elisha W. Mitchell's sister) on August 26, 1852.

During the “War of Northern Aggression”, Elisha (Eli) W. Mitchell had served in the Confederate 34th Infantry Regiment, Co. G. with Anderson Smith Randal. Elisha advanced to the rank of 1st Corporal in Company G, 34th Georgia Infantry, CSA. He was first captured at Champion Hill, Mississippi, on May 16, 1863, and was captured again at Vicksburg, Mississippi, on July 4, 1863. He was paroled on July 8, 1863.

On November 9, 1865, Susannah Jane Randall (at age 23) married her brother-in-law, Elisha (Eli) W. Mitchell (age 26), in Franklin, County, Georgia.

Susannah Jane Randall and Elisha (Eli) W. Mitchell had the following children:

  1. Thomas W. Mitchell (b. 1867 -
  2. Martha E. Mitchell (b. 1869 - ); named in honor of her grandmother (Sophia's mother), Martha Patsy Wilkinson-Mitchell (1804-1889).
  3. John W. Mitchell (b. 1871 - )
  4. Albert Mitchell (b. Sept. 7, 1871 - d. Oct. 10, 1871); named in honor of Jane's brother, Albert Gallatin Randle
  5. Wesly R. Mitchell (b. 1873 -
  6. Henry A. Mitchell (b. 1874 -
  7. Orea S. Mitchell (b. 1876 - )

Her family is listed in the 1870 U.S. Census for Georgia, Franklin County, 213th District, near Aquilla Post Office, with Elisha as a 31-year-old farmer, Jane, 27, with two children, Thomas, 3, and Martha E., 1, all born in Georgia.

[1870 U.S. Census. Elisha W. Mitchell's family begins on line 36.]

1870 United States Federal Census

State: Georgia
County: Franklin
Inhabitants in: Subdivision 51
Post Office: Aquilla
Date: July 15, 1870

Name Age Gender Birthplace Occupation
Elisha W. Mitchell 31 M Georgia Farmer
Jane Mitchell 27 F Georgia Housekeeper
Thomas Mitchell 3 M Georgia
Martha E. Mitchell 1 F Georgia
Henry Fulbright 21 M Georgia Farm Laborer

—-

Source: 1870; Census Place: Subdivision 51, Franklin, Georgia; Roll: M593_150; Page: 19A; Image: 254; Family History Library Film: 545649

It has been documented that on December 11, 1871, she had two boys and one girl, with one boy “dead.” This could have been Baby Albert who is buried with his parents.1)

[Original tombstone for Albert Mitchel (inscribed simply "A M")][A later, more elaborate tombstone for Albert Mitchell (placed a few feet in front of the original grave marker), is inscribed: "Albert Mitchell, Born Sept. 7, 1871. Died Oct. 10, 1871. //A little time on earth he spent til god for him his angels sent.//"]

Albert Mitchell was buried in the Randall-Mitchell Cemetery near Martin (Stephens County), Georgia at: N 34º 32' 14.9“, E 83º 08' 42.5”

[1880 U.S. Census. Elisha W. Mitchell's family begins on line 7.

1880 United States Federal Census

State: Georgia
County: Franklin
Inhabitants in: Gumlog Dist.
Date: June 18-19, 1880

Name Gender Age Relationship Occupation Place of Birth
Elisha W. Mitchell M 40 Farmer Georgia
Jane Mitchell F 37 Wife Housekeeper Georgia
Thomas W. Mitchell M 13 Son In School Georgia
Martha E. Mitchell F 11 Daughter In School Georgia
John W. Mitchell M 9 Son Georgia
Wesly R. Mitchell M 7 Son Georgia
Henry A. Mitchell M 6 Son Georgia
Orea S. Mitchell F 4 Daughter Georgia

Source Citation: 1880; Census Place: Grimlog, Franklin, Georgia; Roll: 147; Family History Film: 1254147; Page: 576D; Enumeration District: 030; Image: 0436

[1880 U.S. Census Schedule 2 - Production of Agriculture.]

The 1880 U.S. Census Schedule 2 - Production of Agriculture, reveals that Elisha W. Mitchell owned 30 acres of tilled farmland with an additional 115 acres of forest / woodland. And even though the form lists that he owned $115 in livestock, he claimed no pasture land.

Elisha W. Mitchell died on November 9, 1880.

The “Ordinary Minute Book #2”, Franklin Co., GA, Records 1881-1889 (located in Carnesville, GA at the “Franklin County Historical Society” contains a Petition of Mrs. Jane Mitchell to Ordinary, Franklin Co., GA, widow of E.W. Mitchell, departed this life ninth day November, 1880… small estate…children: Thomas, Ellen, John, Wesley, Henry, Orea… for allowance–granted sum necessary for her support and children's.2)

Susannah Jane Randall Mitchell died on Nov. 5, 1883. Susannah and Elisha are buried in the Randall-Mitchell Cemetery near Martin (Stephens County), Georgia at: N 34º 32' 14.9“, E 83º 08' 42.5”

[Elisha & Jane Mitchell's engraved tombstone, flanked by the original tombstones simply engraved "Father" (on the left) and "Mother" (on the right)] [Elisha & Jane Mitchell's engraved tombstone, flanked by their original tombstones simply engraved "Father" (on the left) and "Mother" (on the right). In the background are the tombstones of some of their children. From rear left to right are: Albert Mitchell (engraved "AM"), Ellen Mitchell (engraved "EM") & John Mitchel (engraved "JM").]

[Elisha Mitchell, Born Feb. 9, 1839, Died Nov. 9, 1880. Inscribed: "His memory is blessed".] [Jane Mitchell, Born Oct. 5, 1842, Died Nov. 5, 1883. Inscribed: "Meet me in Heaven"]

1)
“Pedigree Resource File,” database, FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3SVP-WSX : accessed 2015-01-22), entry for Susanna Jane /Randal/.
2)
“Pedigree Resource File,” database, FamilySearch ( https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/2:2:3SVP-7YR : accessed 2015-01-22), entry for Elisha W. /Mitchell/.