Mitchell, Margaret J. (1832–1918)
Mitchell, Margaret J. (1832–1918)
American actress. Name variations: Maggie Mitchell. Born Margaret Julia Mitchell in New York City on June 14, 1832; died at her home in New York City of a cerebral hemorrhage on March 22, 1918; buried in Greenwood Cemetery, Brooklyn; daughter of Charles S. Mitchell (of Scottish birth) and Ann (Dodson) Mitchell (of English birth); half-sister of Mary Mitchell and Emma Mitchell, a child actress; married for one week, in 1850s (divorced); married Henry T. Paddock (her manager), on October 15, 1868 (divorced 1888); married Charles Mace, known as Charles Abbott (an actor); children: (first marriage) Julian Mitchell; (second marriage) Fanchon Paddock; Harry M. Paddock.
Margaret J. Mitchell, known as Maggie, played child parts on the stage before she was five years old, and made her debut as an adult on June 2, 1851, as Julia in The Soldier's Daughter at the Chambers Street Theatre in New York City. In 1860, she originated the part of Fanchon, in Fanchon the Cricket, which she played for many years, and with which her name is permanently associated. The play was adapted for her from Charlotte Birch-Pfeiffer 's dramatization of George Sand 's Le Petite Fadette. Other roles in which Mitchell was popular were Jane Eyre, Mignon, Little Barefoot, the Pearl of Savoy, and Nan, the Good-for-Nothing. She retired in 1892.