Wife of Gavin P. Mitchell
Mary Elizabeth Burkhart was one of six children of Morgan Tennessee Burkhart (1831-1902), a Union Army Major of the 1st Tennessee Regiment, Cavalry, Company C, and his wife, and her namesake, Mary Elizabeth (Wilkerson)Burkhart, (1834-1870). Mary Elizabeth was the eldest of 4 daughters and had 2 younger brothers. She was born on July 18th, 1855 in Knoxville, Knox County, Tennessee. At the young age of 15 years, she met Gavin Pulaska Mitchell who was almost 5 years older than she, having been born on Dec 1st, 1850 in Union, Tennessee. His parents were Albert Mitchell of Tennesssee and Susan (Likuris) Mitchell, also of Tennessee. He was a farmer & training to become a blacksmith. They married on Dec 8, 1870 in Knoxville, but settled in Union County where they proceeded to raise their family. The 1880 U S Census shows a household of five children consisting of Mary E.age 8, William S.age 6, Susan J.age 4, Charley R.age 3 and Martha E. age 11 months when the census was conducted in June of 1880. Another daughter was born late. Her name was Stella and she was b.1894. The 1920 U S Census shows quite a different living situation; only Gavin and 2 daughters, Mary, age 48, and Stella, age 26 years, remained and they lived in Anderson County, TN. Mary had died on Oct 25, 1918 while the family was living in Corryton in Knox County. She was buried at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery in Corryton, Knox County, Tennessee. Gavin followed her in death on April 19th, 1929 and was also buried at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, Corryton, Knox County, Tennessee.
Charles R. was born Oct 11, 1877 and died May 19, 1891. He was buried at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, memorial #60637553.
Mary E., named after her mother, was born Nov 3, 1871 and died Dec 12, 1936, having remained single all of her life. She was buried at Bethany Baptist Church Cemetery, memorial #60637559.