Delilah Palestine Williams was born in September 1869, the sixth child born to Matthias Williams and Millie A. Shakelford in Roane County, Tennessee.
There is a lot of conflicting evidence found regarding Delilah. She is first found in the 1870 census, at home in Roane County, with her parents and siblings. She is enumerated as Palestine, aged 9/12 months. The official federal census day was 1 June 1870 and the page is dated 14 June 1870, so she was born about September 1869. That’s important to remember, given the later records pertaining to her life.
In 1880, Delilah is still at home with her parents and siblings, is recorded as “Deli P.” and is ten years old, which is compatible with a September 1869 birthday.
Then 1900 census of Civil District 1, Loudon County, Tennessee is interesting, to say the least. James C. Mitchell, born May 1842 in Tennessee is the head of household. He reported that he was married and had been for 8 years. Also in the home is Delilah C. Williams, housekeeper, born October 1866 in Tennessee. She is single. also in the home are the following lodgers: Alace (Alice), born June 1887, Mattie, born November 1890, Thomas, born April 1892, Sophia, born March 1896 and Joe W., born November 1898.
The number of children to whom Delila had given birth is crossed out, but it looks like 5 with 5 living.
In 1910, James Mitchell, 68 (born 1842) is head of the household. Delila is 53 (born 1857), Thomas is 17 (born 1893), Sofa is 15 (born 1895), Joseph is 13 (born 1897), Charley is 8 (born 1902), Ebb is 6 (born 1904) and Jonnie is 2 (born 1908). Delila reported giving birth to 8 children with 8 surviving.
James and Delila are listed as husband and wife and married for 25 years – that would be 1885! The children are all listed as Mitchells.
However, I can’t find a marriage record for this couple anywhere, between 1880-1910. I think it’s possible that they never legally married.
As for who the father of all Delilah’s children are, it appears that Charley, Ebb and Johnny would for sure be sons of James. However, for those born before 1900, I would question the parentage.
If James lied and said he married in 1892, then he is likely the father of all the children, meaning he and Delila had been together since that year.
Delila is about the only woman I’ve found in the census record who made herself older than she really was. Or, perhaps, James was self conscious about having a wife about 27 years younger.
James died on 28 July 1911 in Loudon County, Tennessee.
In 1920 “Tina” Mitchell, widow, is living in Loudon County. She reported her age as 49, so born c1871, which is much closer to her reported 1869 birth year. Still at home with her are sons Joe, Charlie, Ed (should be Ebb)and John.
Children (All events in Loudon County, unless stated otherwise):
- Alice E., born 25 June 1887; died 14 October 1955; married William Lillard Houston, 5 June 1904
- Mattie, born 11 November 1890; died 26 Aug 1943, Loudon County, Tennessee; married Noah D. Hooker, 28 May 1908
- Thomas Franklin, born 29 April 1893; died 16 November 1965; married Martha McCulloch, 24 April 1913
- Sophronia (Sophia), born March 1896; died after 1942; married (1) William Douglas Jaynes, 24 December 1911 (2) Mr. O’Neal. In 1920, W.D. Jaynes reported that he was widowed, but Charles Mitchell gave his sister’s name – Sophia O’Neal – as his contact person, so the Jaynes likely divorced. Unfortunately, Charles didn’t include an address for Sophia and she hasn’t been found after her 1911 marriage.
- Joseph Wheeler, born 5 November 1898; died 16 February 1942; unmarried
- Charles Williams, born 19 April 1901; died 4 April 1971, Bradley County, Tennessee; married (1) Edna Rines, 6 September 1927, but they apparently divorced (2) Velma I. (MNU), before 1950
- Ebb, born 9 August 1904; died 19 March 1980; married Bessie L., Lawhon/Lawhorn, 21 August 1927
- John Henry, born 25 December 1907; died 31 March 1976; married Hazel Josephine Rines, 12 November 1927, Monroe County, Tennessee
Delila Palestine (Williams) Mitchell died on 18 January 1926 in Loudon County, Tennessee. Her gravestone is inscribed “Palestine Tina Mitchell”, 1857-1926. She is buried i Corinth Cemetery in Loudon County with James and sons Thomas, Joe, Ebb and John.