GITCHELL, JOHN CALVIN

Copyright 2000-2019 John N. Lupia, III

John Calvin Gitchell (1828-1868), was born on December 22, 1828, son of Ezra B Gitchell (1800-), and Hannah (1788-).

Mitchell was born and raised in Boscawen where he was a student in the Boscawen Academy in 1846. He joined the Army during the Civil War. His life's career was as a cabinet maker, woodcarver, mechanic, and a farmer who grew corn, oats and barley. He wrote letters to editors of farming periodicals both giving and seeking agricultural advice.

He was a member of the Freemasons.

Correspondence of twenty-one year old John C. Gitchell to his young friend, the twenty-one year old, George Hilliard Davis (1836-1868), postmarked Boscawen, Merrimack County, New Hampshire, June 18, 1857, cover franked with scarce Scott #11. The two page letter begins with recollections of Election Day at Concord asking Davis if he still has his coin collection he spoke about and if so will he sell it or any part of it to him. Gitchell desires to collect the colonial Fugio and Washington Cents and directly asks Davis about them. Note : the verso shows the wax seal and residue of rubber bands that held the stack of old letters bound are still visible. The rubber band was invented on St. Patrick's Day, 1845 in London, England, just 22 years previous. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic Library.

Letter sheet recto : Boscawen, N. H., June 18, 1857, G. Hilliard Davis, Esq. Dear Sir: Election Day at Concord I had some talk with you about American coins that you have. Will you send me a description of those coins. You spoke of having one of the first cents one with thirteen rings - has that the inscription "One Cent" on it? Letter sheet verso : Have you any half cents? If you have, of what date are they? and of what date have you good copies of the early cents "United States" mintage? Have you any of the name and image of Washington on them? Please write me all the particulars in regards to your collection stating whether or not you would sell any of them, and if you would sell them at what price? I am with greatest respect, yours, John C. Gitchell. Courtesy Lupia Numismatic Library. For sale. Write john@numismaticmall.com

On June 1, 1863, he joined the 7th Regiment New Hampshire Volunteers.

On December 3, 1865, he married Seibert George Sweatt (1842-), at Webster, New Hampshire.

Tombstone of John C. Gitchell, Maplewood Cemetery, Boscawen, Merrimack County, New Hampshire.

He died September 17, 1868, three months before his 40th birthday.

Bibliography :

The New England Farmer, Vol. 12, January (1860) : 14

The New England Farmer, Vol. 12, October (1860) : 487

The Cultivator, Vol. X, January (1862) : 63