Mercia Mitchell’s maternal grandmother was Catherine Davis, who was born between 1828 and 1830. Catherine’s parents were born in Virginia. Mercia’s maternal grandfather was Peter Lockett, who may have been born about 1826 and may have been shipped to New Orleans on a ship called the Bachelor by an L. and E. Lockett when he was 22. Catherine was a nurse and could not read or write. John Mitchell, Mercia’s father, was born about 1853 in Virginia. He worked in a tobacco factory and could not read or write. Her mother, Harriett Lockett, was also born about 1853 in Virginia. Harriett and John’s children were William, born about 1874 (and eventually went to live in Pennsylvania); Pernett, born about 1876; Hattie, born about 1878, and Mercia. By 1910, they also had Maude, born in April 1882 (who later had a daughter named after Mercia), Charlotte, born in July 1888, and Willie, born in July 1898. The family lived at 1000 North Second Street. By 1900, Harriet was head of household, John having passed away. In 1910, she was still living at the same address, with her second husband, Lewis Waters, and her daughter Hattie. They seem to have owned their home. —Loretta Tillman