Harriett Frances (Wright) Mitchell (abt. 1842 - 1909)

Born about 1842 in Greenwich, London, England, United Kingdom

Ancestors

Wife of Andrew Cruikshank Mitchell — married 28 Mar 1871 in Marylebone, London, England, United Kingdom

Descendants

Died 15 Mar 1909 at about age 67 in Glasgow, Strathclyde, Scotland, United Kingdom

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Biography

Harriet was born about 1842. She is the daughter of Edward Wright and Harriet Buer.

Harriet, according to all accounts a most lovely child, that people used to stop in the street to admire. (When Emma went to her Grandmother Buer's for lessons baby Harriet used to go with her.) Harriet was never taught to read, but she used to look on and listen while Grandmother taught Emma out of a very large Family Bible, and she used to "astonish the natives" by being able to read words of three syllables when she was only 3.5 years old. Harriet also went to live with 'Aunt Smart' and Grandma Buer at 232 Oxford Street (she was there in 1861) and married from there in 1871 (see Research Note)
Harriett raised 6 children in Cathcart, part of Glasgow, probably under quite difficult circumstances if her husband was away from home a lot as a commercial traveller. The shock, trauma and notoriety surrounding his death in late 1901 must have deeply affected her. And she must have suffered a painful death - from 'gangrene of the foot, 1 month' according to her death certificate.

Research Notes

Harriett married in a CofE church, which was unusual for Brethren at the time, which probably means that Andrew was not a member of the Brethren. She is still listed in the 1871 census (for 2nd April) as single and living with her aunt in Oxford Street, even though she married on 28th March 1871 (and see Andrew's Biography for his 1871 census entry). Did Aunt Smart complete the form as soon as it arrived, ready for collection on 2nd April? Did she know about the wedding? However, Harriett & Andrew subsequently named their children after various Wright family members (including Aunt Smart's late son) so there is no evidence for a family rift....

Sources

• Sourced Wright family tree from the Wright family in the UK Peter Wright Wright-32103; youngest son of William Wright Wright-32062 & Mary Wright Gray-20188
• Marriage register entry at ancestry.co.uk
• Death certificate - Wright family archive