OBITUARY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 15 December 1932, Page 6

OBITUARY.

MRS NANCY MITCHELL. The death occurred on Thursday last of Mrs Nancy Mitchell, who was born in Cuba Street, Wellington, 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 Mitchelltown was established, thereby commemorating the name of the founder. Mrs Nancy Mitchell was tlvj 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 Ire 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 bv the Government for the extension of the Mental Hospital. Mr J. Mitchell died in 1906, and Mrs Mitchell went 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 tho 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 great-grandchildren. The eldest daughter, Mrs Owen, died some six vears ago. The burial was at Porirua, the service being conducted by Rev. F. E. Leadley, of the Hataitai Methodist Church.