The following transcription is an excerpt from the Family Bible of John Milton Mitchell and Ethel Sherry Mitchell.  They were married on August 3, 1917 in St. Louis, Missouri by H.W. McChessny in the presence of Blanch Sherry {Transcriber's note:  Blanch Sherry was the first wife of Ethel Sherry Mitchell's brother, Roy Sherry} and two other witnesses.  The autobiographical text was handwritten by Ethel Sherry Mitchell, and transcribed by Karen Sherry Hughes.  Permission to transcribe this excerpt was granted by Elaine Fisher, the granddaughter of Ethel Sherry.  {Transcriber's note:  Ethel Sherry Mitchell was the daughter of Issac Newton Sherry, granddaughter of John M. Sherry and Lemuel Catherine Williams}

            To Billy and Melba: who have been so good to me. From Mother: Birthdays and Anniversary May Charles William, May 31, 1930.  Melba May Anniversary May 1956.

            My paternal Grandfather died when my father was a very small boy.  Grandfather fought in the Confederate Army he died in an army hospital in Bowling Green hospital army hospital from pneumonia contracted while undergoing the hardships of army life.  {Transcriber's note:  John M. Sherry fought in the Union Army, Co. C. 52nd Volunteer Infantry}

            My Grandmother Sherry was a very remarkable woman.  When notified of her husbands death, she drove a team of oxen hitched to a cart alone from Allen County Ky to claim his body.  Her name was Lemuel Catherine and was a Williams before marriage - she married three times.  Maw Sherry as we called her first married a Burton to this union was born one son.  He became a Doctor.  A Country Doctor.  I remember once seeing his saddle pockets in which his medical supplies were kept these were thrown over his horse for that is the way he traveled, horseback, a real "Country Doctor".  We called him "Uncle Doctor".  His only son Maddin lives in Florida.  I cannot recall her second husband name if I ever knew it her name was Ellen Lightfoot.  I do remember her quite well as a small girl.  She lived near Trammel Ky her husband's name was Parrish.  My remembrance of visiting them was the many beehives they had and what a splendid cook she was.

            My father Isaac Newton Sherry was a twin his brother Jasper died at the age of twelve.  They were born in Allen County Ky.  I think in New Roe.  He and mother are buried in Oakland Cemetery.  {Transcriber's note Oakland Cemetery is in Springfield, TN}

            In New Roe Ky Dad and Grandpa Perdue ran and owned an "Undertaking establishment" as they were called in the old days, also the only Blacksmith shop for miles around.

            To this union was born six children all born in New Roe Ky.  Roy the oldest was a telegraph operator and worked for both the L & N and Great Northern Railroads.  While working for Great Northern he married Blanch Taylor from Saco, Mont.  They had one child Berdine.  Blanch and Bernadine later returned to Mont. where they both died.  Later he married Margaret they had one daughter Ethel May, my namesake, she is married and I lost track of her.

            Dott married Jacques Calvin Hartleight from Chattanooga.  They had two children Lilidott and J.C. Jr.  She married Joe McGrew and lives in Calumet City, Ill.

            Paul first married Mabel Empson, they were divorced and he married Effie.  They had one soon Paul Jr. and I suppose he still lives in East St. Louis, Ill.  Paul like Roy died suddenly.

            Ethel (me) was born Oct 31, 1899.  I married John Milton Mitchell on August 3rd, 1917.  We had six stalwart sons and two sweet daughters as listed in this book.

            Ola was born Nov 1, 1901.  She was married to Oscar Odell McCoy from Dekalb, Miss, they had three children Leta, Joyce, & Bob.  Bob lives in Greenbrier, the girls live here. 

            We had a little sister Ora two years older than I.  She was burned so badly she died.  She was wearing a long dress and as children used to do playing grown up lady and got too close to a fire around an old fashion wash kettle.  Roy was buried in either Mont. or Washington state.  Paul in East St. Louis, Ill, Dott in Tuscon, Ariz.  Our old family Graveyard is atop a hill in New Roe Ky.  My Grandmaw Sherry, Uncle Doctor and Tee his daughter little Ora as we called her are all buried there.

            I still faintly remember our old home in Kentucky, a five room white frame building, that my father and grandfather built.  Also a hand dug well that was filled with pure cold water.  They planted around this house on three sides 28 cedars, during World War I these cedars were sold even to the roots and the house was torn down to make way for a road.  The trees brought more than Dad got for the entire property.

            My Maternal Grandfather was James Perdue (Jim) he was called.  His first wife, my mother's mother died when she was only nine weeks old.  I never knew her maiden name.  Later Grandpa Perdue married "Millie" but she raised my mother along with two sons and a daughter.  I never knew her maiden name either.  Her sons were Will and Virgil.  Will had several children, the only one I remember Earl Perdue.  Uncle Virgil had only one son, Russel, he lives near Gallatin.  Bertha the daughter married John Gregory they had three or four children that also live near Gallatin.  The only name I remember was "Wany".  I never had an own Uncle, Aunt or Cousin - only half ones as Dad and Mother were the only children living.

            My mother Sallie Victoria and Dad were married in Scottsville, Ky in the parlors of the Allen County Jail.  My Dad was in Scottsville as Captain of his baseball team and Mother was there visiting the Jailors wife.  The Wedding music was furnished by the colored prisoners behind bars.  Mother was a school teacher.  She taught in one room county schools grades one through eight till she married Dad.  They were a hardworking couple.  Mother loved her garden and would not let anyone tend it but her.