Mitchell, William

from web site http://www.mitchell.objectbusiness.com/WilliamMitchell.html
William Mitchell
William was the first member of the Mitchell family to be bought out of the family partnership. In a Deed of Conveyance dated 10th August 1857, James, Joseph and Henry Mitchell and Eli Allen paid £300 to William for his share of the land. The partnership was dissolved by mutual consent. James, Joseph, Henry and Eli continued the business under the trade name ''Mitchells & Allen''.

William built a hotel on the corner of Abel Smith and Taranaki Streets and named it The Royal Tiger after the British ''65th Regiment of Foot the First Battalion the York and Lancaster Regiment'' (the 65th or ''Royal Tigers'') that had barracks nearby. The hotel had three gable windows at the base of a steep slate-covered roof. Two posts supported a lamp facing the entrance.

Royal Tiger Hotel, 1866 - photo

"The hotel or inn was the last resort of the soldiers (already ''well lit-up''), some of whom stayed there drinking until they became incapable and until the Round-up Picket Guard made their usual nightly calls at the hotels and trundled them to the barracks in wheelbarrows. Some have been seen by old residents being carried (sometimes head downwards) pinioned by a soldier at each armpit, while another held his legs to the accompaniment of discordant yells of pain or an uproarious ditty." [Louis Ward recorded in Old Wellington Hotels, Some History, Personalities and Anecdotes by Pat Lawlor, The Millwood Press, 1974, pg 58]

William remained proprietor and licensee for some time. He was still listed as the proprietor in the 1872-3 Wises Directory. By 1876-77 the hotel at 1 Abel Smith Street was owned by John Staples.

Wellington City Council records for the Te Aro Ward (1874-75, and 1976-77) show William Mitchell was the owner of Town Acre number 108, Abel Smith Street. His occupation was listed as farmer. Where did William farm? The birth place of one of his sons may give us a clue. Arthur Alexander Mitchell was born on 20.8.1866 in the Wairarapa at west Taratahi. The Provincial Government Gazette of the Province of Wellington, New Zealand defines the Taratahi area as "bounded north by the Waingawa River; East by the Ruamanga River; South by the Waiohine River; and west by the Tararua Range. Excepting always the Township of Carterton." [1859, pg 81]

In the Sheep Inspector''s reports of sheep in the Wairarapa and East Coast Districts, there is mention of W. Mitchell owning or being in charge of sheep at Taratahi between 1863 and 1876. [These reports are published in the above mentioned Gazette.] For the first couple of years, his sheep were having problems with scab.

The Gazette also records various purchases of farm land in the Wairarapa area with W. Mitchell purchasing some by himself but mostly in partnership with Moritz Hirshberg.

Family recollection is that William Mitchell gave each of his adult sons a number of acres to farm. For example, John Thomas Mitchell was given a farm at Moutoa near Foxton; George James Mitchell was given land by the Hutt River near the entrance to Stokes Valley; and Arthur Alexander Mitchell was given land in Otaki.

William retained ownership of, and lived in, the house (called ''Holly House'') at 1 Abel Smith Street until he died 10 months after his wife in 1902 - Catherine was 72 and William 82. They''d had 11 children, 9 of whom lived past the age of 22.
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Obituary NZ Mail 26 November 1902, p 54c: “Mr William Mitchell, one of the pioneers of Wellington, died on Saturday in his 82nd year. The deceased, who was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, arrived in Wellington by the ship Gertrude with his parents in 1841. A brickmaker by trade, he, with his brothers, established a brickyard in Upper Willis Street, continuing the business for three years. During the Maori War, the late Mr Mitchell, then settled on the Porirua Road, served in the Militia, and subsequently in the Armed Constabulary, having several hairbreadth escapes, especially from the murderous chief Rangiatea. Leaving the force in 1850, Mr Mitchell married Miss Catherine Suter, and raised a family of seven sons and four daughters. Three of his sons suffered violent deaths. The late Mr Mitchell was interested in the land now known as Mitchelltown, which derives its name from the family. He built the Royal Tiger Hotel, and conducted it for ten years. The deceased was a member and regular attendant at the Taranaki street Wesleyan Church, and enjoyed the respect of a large circle of friends.”

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John Mitchell and his wife Mary arrived in Wellington on the "Gertrude". It sailed from Gravesend on 19th June 1841 and arrived in Port Nicholson 30th October 1841
Names as on Passenger List
Mitchell John, Aged: 48, Brickmaker
Mitchell Mary, Aged: 48
Mitchell Elizabeth, Aged: 22, Sempstress
Mitchell William, Aged: 20, Brickmaker
Mitchell James, Aged 18, Brickmaker
Mitchell John, Aged: 16, Labourer
Mitchell Joseph, Aged: 14 Labourer
Mitchell Son, Aged: 8


Death Details
1902/1663, Catherine Anastasia Mitchell, Aged: 71Y - Date of Death 8/1/1902 from Death Registration

Karori Cemetery
Last Name: MITCHELL
First Name: Catherine Anastasia
Age: 72 Years
Deceased Date: 00-00-0000
Occupation:
Service Date: 10-01-1902
Service Provided: Burial
Cemetery: Bolton St
Section: Public
Plot Number: 10.H
Record Number: 98783

Evening Post 9 January 1902
MITCHELL.- On the 8th January, at her residence, Holly House, Abel Smith-street, Wellington, Catherine Anastasia, dearly-beloved wife of William Mitchell, aged 72 years.
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FUNERAL NOTICE.
THE Friends of Mr. William Mitchell are respectfully invited to attend the Funeral of his late wife, Catherine, which will leave his residence, No. 1. Abel Smith street, for the Sydney-street Cemetery, on Friday Afternoon, at 2 o''clock.
GEORGE TILLER,
Undertaker,
Ingestre-street

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Death Details
1902/7224, William Mitchell, Aged: 82Y - Date of Death 22/11/1902 from Death Registration

Karori Cemetery
Last Name: MITCHELL
First Name: William
Deceased Date: 00-00-0000
Occupation:
Service Date: 22-11-1902
Service Provided: Burial
Cemetery: Bolton St
Section: Public
Plot Number: 10.H
Record Number: 98809


Evening Post 24 November 1902
MITCHELL.- On 22nd November, at his residence No. 1, Abel Smith-street, William Mitchell aged 82 years
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After a residence in Wellington of over sixty years, Mr. William Mitchell died on Saturday, 82 years of age. He was born in Halifax, Yorkshire, and in 1841 arrived in Port Nicholson with his parents in the ship Gertrude. During the Maori War the deceased - who then lived on the Porirua-road - served in the Militia, and later in the Armed Constabulary, in which he had some stirring experiences. He left the force in 1850, and married Miss Catherine Suter. Mr Mitchell built the Royal Tiger Hotel, and conducted it for many years. During his long residence he made a wide circle of friends.

Probate William Mitchell, Place: Wellington, Occ: Gentleman, Date of Death: 22/11/1902, AAOM 6029 8100, Filed: 9/12/1902, Will, Archives NZ, Wellington