Re: Gitchell: NEB-Mich
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In reply to:
Gitchell: NEB-Mich
4/01/00
Jim:
Orpha Eliz. Gitchell was the daughter of Willard and Mary Jane (Smith) Gitchell, both buried in Rockford, MI.I have all the information on Orpha's sibs, but I don't know further back in the Gitchell line.
Mary Jane Smith was the daughter of Ira Smith and Elizabeth (West) Smith) of Adrian, MI.Ira was the son of Daniel Smith and Sene (Blancher) Smith.Daniel, an elder in the Society of Friends (Quakers),was from Lockport, NY, and Sene was from VT.Both are buried in Birdsall Cemetery, Raisin Twp.,just north of Adrian.
We know that Mary Jane Gitchell was in NE during the late 1800s.In the Michigan State Public Library in Lansing there is a book written by Mary Jane's sister-in-law, Laura Haviland, which is inscribed "To Daniel Haviland from his sister Mary Jane Gitchell, Bassett, Brown Co. Neb."I think the date is 1881, but I will have to look it up to be sure (Daniel Haviland was Laura (Smith) Haviland's son and a sister to Ira Smith, but the Quakers all called themselves brother and sister.If you want to discover a fairly famous and interesting relative, check out Laura Haviland. she would be your great-great aunt.Her book is entitled "A Woman's Life Work").
Several years ago, the Gitchell family bible was in the ownership of a lady named Virginia who lived in Hopkins, MI.She was also a granddaughter of Orpha.You are certainly related and you may know her (her daughter plays "Reva" on As the World Turns.)Get in touch with her if you can.
My wife is the great-granddaughter of Millie Lydia (Whittington) Gitchell.We have more information if you would like it.
We are searching for the place and time of Ira Smith's death.If you run across that iformation, we would appreciate it.