E. Belle Mitchell facts for kids

E. Belle Mitchell Jackson (born December 31, 1848 – died October 6, 1942) was an important American educator, activist, and business owner. She was also an abolitionist, meaning she worked to end slavery. E. Belle Mitchell Jackson came from Danville, Kentucky. She helped start the Colored Orphans Industrial Home in Lexington, Kentucky, which was a special place for children.

Her Early Life and Schooling

Eliza Isabelle Mitchell, known as Belle, was born on December 31, 1848, in Perryville, Kentucky. Her parents, Monroe and Mary Mitchell, were formerly enslaved people. They bought their own freedom before Belle was born. Her father worked as a carpenter.

Belle went to private schools in Danville, KY and Xenia, Ohio. Later, she finished her education at Berea College.

In the fall of 1865, Mitchell met Reverend John Gregg Fee at her church in Danville. Rev. Fee was a minister and an abolitionist. He hired Belle Mitchell for her first teaching job. She became the first African American teacher at Camp Nelson.

A Teacher for Freedom

Belle Mitchell's employer, the American Missionary Association (AMA), strongly believed in ending slavery. However, not all members agreed on full equality for everyone. Rev. Fee believed strongly in full equality, but the other white teachers did not share his view. Because of this, hiring Belle Mitchell caused some problems.

Teaching at Camp Nelson

Camp Nelson was first set up in 1863 during the Civil War. It was a supply base for the Union army. By mid-1864, it became a major training center for United States Colored Troops (USCT). These were African American soldiers. About 10,000 of Kentucky's 23,000 USCT soldiers trained there.

Many people fleeing slavery, often families of the soldiers, came to Camp Nelson. They were called refugees, and there were over 3,000 of them. In June 1864, enslaved men in Kentucky could gain freedom by joining the army. This was six months after President Abraham Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation. That order freed enslaved people in the states that had rebelled. Kentucky was one of the four slaveholding states that stayed with the Union.

By December 1864, the military allowed a "Home for Colored Refugees" to be built. This led to the creation of a school, teachers' living areas, a dining hall, and a dormitory. There were also small cottages for families. In March 1865, a law was passed that freed the wives and children of the U.S. Colored Troops.

When Belle Mitchell started teaching at Camp Nelson, about 600 women and children were in her school. They had just gained their freedom through the 1865 law. However, her time at Camp Nelson was cut short. Military officers and ten of the twelve teachers refused to eat with her in the dining hall. Rev. Fee disagreed with the teachers' protest. But while he was away, the camp leader forced Belle Mitchell to leave.

Challenges and New Schools

After leaving Camp Nelson, Belle Mitchell was quickly asked to teach at The Missionary Free School of Color. This school was opened by the black First Baptist Church in Lexington, Kentucky. The AMA paid her salary. However, the school had very few supplies and not enough warm clothes. This made it hard for students to attend in winter.

By March 1870, Mitchell had 95 students, mostly between six and sixteen years old. Even with the difficulties, Mitchell felt hopeful. She believed her students were making good progress from not having had much schooling before. She also taught in other Kentucky cities, including Frankfort, Louisville, Nicholasville, and Richmond.

Helping Her Community

Belle Mitchell was a founder of the Colored Orphans Industrial Home in Lexington, Kentucky. She was one of fifteen local black women on the board of directors when it officially started in September 1892. She was even elected as the board president.

At first, this place was a home for older African American women who had no family to care for them. Later, it became an orphanage and school for African American children who were homeless. The home was a large brick building on two acres of land on Georgetown Street.

A Business Owner

In 1871, Belle Mitchell married Jordan Jackson. He was a successful businessman in Lexington, Kentucky. Jordan Jackson owned an undertaking business and rented out horses and carriages. After her marriage, Belle Mitchell owned her own hat shop. It was located at 9 South Mill Street in Lexington.

The couple adopted two children. Belle and Jordan Jackson worked together. They supported efforts to improve the lives of the African American community in Kentucky.