Hi Liza, My ggggrandfather was a Mitchell in TN. He apparently owned slaves. I've heard that his will stipulated his slaves be freed upon his death (1849). One older slave was to stay with Mrs. Mitchell until her death and then could choose which of the Mitchell children he wanted to live with. His name is apparently listed in the family Bible along with the rest of the family. From his age he could have been a child of Mr. Mitchell --- Mrs. Mitchell had another baby that same year so I doubt he was hers. Slaves often took the surnames of their "owners", or of people they admired. There are probably lots of Black Mitchell's because there are lots of Mitchell's. Sandy