John Mitchell (1776 - 1849)

Born 1776 in County Fermanagh, Ireland

Descendants

Died 27 Jan 1849 at about age 73 in Franklin County, Indiana, United States

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Kelly Leonard [send private message]

Biography

John Mitchell was born in Ireland.

John was born in 1776 in County Fermanagh, Ireland.^[1][2][3][4] According to a newspaper clipping about a family bible, he was the son of Walter Mitchell (abt.1747-abt.1820), who lived in Enniskillen, Ireland. John passed away in Franklin County, Indiana, United States on January 27, 1849.^[2][3]

John is possibly the flax grower from Aghaderg, County Down or the one from Enniskillen, County Fermanagh listed here:^[1][2]

• Flax Growers of Ireland, 1796 - County Down
• Flax Growers of Ireland, 1796 - County Fermanagh

A written history of the family states that he came from County Down, Ireland with his wife, Jane (Peterson) Mitchell (1784-1829), and their ten children--one of whom died on the ship and was buried at sea.^[2] John's naturalization record indicates he (and presumably his family) left from the port of Londonderry, Ireland on June 1, 1824, and arrived at Black Rock, New York on August 17, 1824.^[1] The naturalization record of John's son, Walter, indicates that Walter (and possibly his wife) traveled separately from John (and presumably the rest of the family) since he departed from Londonderry three years earlier on May 5, 1821, but arrived in New York the same day as John on August 17, 1824.^[1]

John, Walter, and presumably their wives and children, arrived in Franklin County, Indiana on September 16, 1824.^[1] The family settled on a 110-acre farm.^[2]

The children of John and his wife, Jane, are as follows (not necessarily in chronological birth order).^[2]

Children

Girls

1. Elizabeth Mitchell
   
2. Jane Mitchell
   
3. Rebecca Mitchell
   
4. Mary Mitchell

Boys

1. Walter Mitchell
   
2. Robert Mitchell
   
3. John Mitchell
   
4. William Mitchell
   
5. George Mitchell
   

Unknown

1. (name unknown) - died and buried at sea

Naturalization

John became a naturalized citizen of the United States on July 30, 1830, in Franklin County, Indiana, along with his son, Walter.^[1] See John's naturalization record for images of the original record and a transcription of the text within.

Last Will and Testament

Assuming the date of death on his tombstone is correct, John wrote his will on the day of his death.^[3][5] Following are the provisions he laid out in his will:^[5]

I John MItchell of Franklin County and State of Indiana being weak in body yet of sound mind, memory and judgment thanks be to Almighty God for the same do make this my last will and testament,
1st my will is that at my deces my son George Mitchell have all my real estate for four years from said deces
2nd my will is that at my deces all my debts together with my funeral expenses be paid out of my personal property and the remainder of sd personly property to be eaquly divided between Walter Mitchal, George Mitchal, Thomas Porteus and George Scofield
3rd my will is that at the expiration of the four years that George Mitchal is to hold my real estate the said real estate to be equaly divided among all my heirs to wit Walter Mitchall, John Mitchal, William Mitchal, Robert Mitchal, George Mitchell, Jane Porteus, Rebecca Lowes, Elizabeth Byres and Mary Scofield
4th my will is that my son Walter Mitchal be executor of this my last will and testament, in confirmation whereof thereupon to set my hand this 27th day of January in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty nine in the presants of
Attest
Augustus Benton
John Cleaver

John Mitchall

Research Notes

• Birth date and location were self-reported by John in his naturalization papers.^[1]
• According to a U.S. passport application of his grandson, Walter J. Mitchell, John immigrated by ship to the United States in 1814.^[6] However, this researcher believes the year on the original application has a typo: 1814 should be 1824. This is based on John's and Walter's naturalization records, which both state 1824 as the year they arrived.^[1] - Kelly Leonard 14:09, 17 November 2021 (UTC)
• The Erie Canal was being built at the time John and Walter (and family?) arrived in Black Rock, New York. Black Rock is along the Erie Canal. A large fraction of the workers that built the canal were Irish immigrants. Were John, Walter or others in the family involved in building the canal? - Kelly Leonard 14:34, 17 November 2021 (UTC)
  • Men employed as masons were needed in building the canal. There is a John Mitchell employed as a mason and living on Elm St. in New York City around this time. Is he possibly the same person as the subject of this profile? - Kelly Leonard 14:35, 17 November 2021 (UTC)
• A search for the current location of the Mitchell Family Bible is currently underway. More information can be found at Family Bible of Walter Mitchell of Enniskillen.

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7} John Mitchell's naturalization record. Franklin County Clerk of Court, Brookville, Franklin County, Indiana. Scan provided to Kelly Leonard by the Franklin County Public Library, Brookville, Indiana.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5} First-hand account given to Jennie (Lowes) Wiggers by her father, Cyrenius Lowes, her uncles and other family members. It was copied by Ruby M. Lowes after being given to her by Lowe Wiggers (son of Jennie). A scan of the original document is located at Schofield-Mitchell Family History (PDF format). A transcription of the document is located at Schofield-Mitchell Family History.
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2} Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/90736563/john-mitchell : accessed 14 November 2021), memorial page for John Mitchell (unknown–27 Jan 1849), Find A Grave: Memorial #90736563, citing Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Sharptown, Franklin County, Indiana, USA ; Maintained by Glenda Barry (contributor 47272780).
4. ↑ Bible passed from Walter Mitchell of Enniskillen, Ireland to John to Robert of Cincinnati. Cincinnati Enquirerer, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA. November 9, 1956, p. 22. Accessed at Newspapers.com on November 19, 2021.
5. ↑ ^{5.0 5.1} Last Will and Testament of John Mitchell. Indiana County, District and Probate Courts. Will and Probate, Vol A-D, 1813-1853; Will Book, Vol 1, 1852-1870.
6. ↑ U.S. Passport application of Walter J. Mitchell. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; Roll #: 848; Volume #: Roll 0848 - Certificates: 100750-100999, 28 Jul 1919-28 Jul 1919. Partial transcription available on WIkiTree: U.S. Passport of Walter J. Mitchell.