Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer

Wellington County, Ontario GenWeb - Pioneer - MITCHELL, Family, The

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Pioneer - The MITCHELL Family

Biographical Sketches of
Early Settlers of Wellington County

Information from: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario.
Toronto: Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906

MITCHELL, Family, The . This family was founded in Canada by the late Allen Mitchell, of Maryborough, who came to Canada form the neighborhood of Keady, Co. Armagh, Ire., on the sailing vessel Miltiades, leaving Belfast, Ire. , on May 8th, 1846. After an ocean voyage of six weeks, and a subsequent journey up the St. Lawrence, they set. in Montague Tp., about ten miles from Smith's Falls, but not finding the soil and other conditions satisfactory, in 1849, they sent their son Alexander to Maryborough Tp., to secure locations for the different members of the family, who all within the next few years moved to their bush lots. This family, as well as being one of the earliest to settle on the 14th line, has from the time of settlement been one of the most industrious and most respected of the section. Coming to the township without means, they, by their industry and good management, hewed homes for themselves out of the bush, and before many years made themselves as comfortable as the conditions of the time would allow.

The late Allan Mitchell was a Presbyterian and a Conservative. He m. Mary Mitchell, Issue: Isaac (d. 1890); Mrs. Joseph Freeland, Maryborough; Mrs. Joseph Warren, Wallace; Mrs. Isaac Digby (d. 1904); Mrs. John Martin, Drayton. All b. in Ireland.

Alexander arrived in Maryborough in March 1849, and located on the east half of lot 14, con. 14. Isaac and James came in 1850, about a year before their father. Isaac located on the west half of lot 13, con. 14, and James on the east half of lot 13, con. 15. Robert, the next year took up the west half of lot 14, con. 14, and Thomas took up the west half of lot 13, con. 15, being 600 acres in all, 100 acres each.

Robert, b. Co. Armagh, Ire. d. Sept 1900, age 75 years. He came to Canada when about 14 years of age, and took up 100 acres, west half of lot 14, con. 14, in 1850. Not a tree was cut on any of the farms, and the brothers cleared them. He was a leader in Calvin Presbyterian Church Rothsay, when it started in 1860. In politics he was a Conservative. He was a Trustee of S.S. No. 14, for about twelve years, but would not hold municipal office. He was well educated for the time. He m. Mary Ann Griffith, who d. 1888 age 54 years. Issue: Mrs. Wm. Hosie, Rothsay; Isaiah, James A., Harriston; Mrs. W. H. Hamilton, Arthur; John, Eliza; Mrs. John Gimlett, Maryborough; Nathaniel, and Louis Thomas. Isaiah unm. b. on the homestead, where he has always lived and to which he succeeded carries on mixed farming, and is an Elder and Sect.-Treas. of Calvin Church, and in politics he is a Conservative. For many years he has been a Director of the Rothsay cheese factory. He is industrious and prosperous.

Nathaniel lives with his brother Isaiah, and owns and works 50 acres S.E. quarter of lot 14, con. 14.

From: Historical Atlas of the County of Wellington, Ontario. Toronto:Historical Atlas Publishing Co., 1906