OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 70, 15 December 1932, Page 10

OBITUARY

Mrs. Nancy Mitchell The death occurred at Hataitai on Thursday last of Mrs. Nancy Mitchell, who was born in Cuba Street more than 80 years ago, the daughter of two of Wellington’s earliest settlers. Mrs. Mitchell’s father, Mr. Eli Allen, arrived in the ship Gertrude in 1841, subsequently marrying Miss Mitchell, daughter of a well-known family who arrived in the ’4o’s. The Mitchells settled in what was known as Polhill Gully, and eventually Mitchelltowu was established, thereby commemorating the name of the founder. Mrs. Nancy Mitchell was the descendant of these very early families. Her father was a Methodist, and taught Sunday school in Wade’s iron store before Manners Street and Methodist Church properties were built. He was one of the earliest workers for the church. Some nine years afterward he took up land at Tawa Flat. His daughter, Nancy, spent most of her life in the Tawa Flat and Porirua districts. At this time there was another family of Mitchells residing at Porirua on the property more recently known as "Burnside.” Mr. J. Mitchell, a nephew of this family, and Miss Nancy Allen were married in 1876 in the old Primitive Methodist Church, Sydney Street, Wellington, by the late Rev. Robert Ward. Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell spent all their married life on the Burnside property. A large portion of the land was subsequently sold to the Government, and later the mental hospital was built on it. A considerable area was retained, however, as a., homestead, and was known as “Burnside” to a large number of earlier settlers for many years. It finally was acquired by the Government for the extension of the Mental Hospital. Mr. J. Mitchell died in 1906, and Mrs. Mitchell came to Hataitai in 1918 and resided there with Miss Helen Mitchell until her death. Mrs. Mitchell was well known for her kindly disposition, and rendered assistance especially in the early days to the Methodist Church at Porirua and other Christian enterprises. She was known for her firmness of character. her strong purpose and will, and the carrying out of those principles that made up her individuality. She has left a wide circle of friends, who mourn her loss. The members of her family who survive her are Messrs. J. A. Mitchell (Longburn), A. A. Mitchell (Kairanga), S. W. Mitchell (Te Puke district), Mrs. Prebble (Rongotea), Mrs. Roland Luke (Palmerston North), Mrs. F. J. Garlick (Auckland), Miss Helen Mitchell (Hataitai), 22 grandchildren, and seven . greatgrandchildren. The eldest daughter, Mrs. Owen, died some six years ago. The burial was at Porirua. the services being conducted by the Rev. F. E. Leadley, -of the Hataitai Methodist Church.