The Republican journal., 1904-05-26
JOHN MITCHELL.

JOHN MITCHELL.
John Mitchell did not return to Bel
fast. to become a resident, after the
war of the revolution; but as he was SO
greatly active and efficient in acQuir-
ing the grant, and effecting the first
settlement of the town, its history re-
uuires that some notice of him should
be taken.
He was born in TIA, in the town of
Londonderry, Ireland; and, when his
parents, who were of the Ulster emf
grants to Londonderry, New Hamp-
shire, came to America, was five years
of age. He served an apprenticeship
to housewright; but he soon forsook
that employment, and became a well
known practical surveyor, and a teach
er of the higher branches OF mathe-
MATES.
Barnard, Governor of Massachusetts,,
appointed him to superintend survey
of the Scoodic river, and the bay of
Passamaquoddy. In 1854 and 1865 this
service was performed to the entire
satisfaction of the Governor, who,
having heard Mitchell's report of the
expedition, and of the inducements the
country offered to emigrants, became
greatly DESTROYS of obtaining grant of
land south of that bay and river; and
Mitchell it appears, had inspired Bar
nard with confidence, which disposed
him to make the former a partner in
interest.
It was on his passage from Boston to
Scoodic, that Mitchell put into Penob-
scot bay, and became informed of the
natural advantages which those might
enjoy who would there establish a
settlement. This knowledge he carried
to his friends in Londonderry, New
Hampshire, and it has been seen, that
his opinions were respected. But the
settlement of Belfast was postponed to
the prosecution of the scheme of Gov.
Barnard. Many obstacles were found
in the way of their success. Since the
charter of 1892 from the crown to Mas
sachusetts, neither the crown, nor the
general court Of the colony, deemed
themselves to be endowed with the
requisite powers separately to make
valid grant of land in Acadia; and a
concurrent act of cession, by the two
authorities, at this period of feverish
jealousy, was not to be expected 1t
was therefore proposed to treat for a
title with the province of Nova Scotia.
A stipulation was accordingly entered
into with that government for a tract
of 100000 acres, and Morris, the pro-
vincial surveyor, set off that quantity
by measure, to Francis Barnard A
copy of Morris map is in the possession
of the author] Thomas Pownall, John
Mitchell, Thomas Thornton, and Rich
ard Jackson. The Scoodic river north
erly, and the Cobescook, or Denny's
river, southerly, were made the boun-
diaries of the patent. At this time,
Morris marked the Cobescook as the
st. Croix, which circumstance, gave
rise in all probability, to the perplexity
which afterwards attended the adjust
ment, by the English and American
governments, of the eastern boundary
of the States.
When the war of the revolution
opened, no settlement, by the patentees,
had been made within their territory;
and the treaty following the peace,
placed the grant within the State of
Massachusetts; and, Mitchell being the
only grantee remaining, neglected to
obtain, or to attempt to obtain, from
Massachusetts,, confirmation OF his
title.
In the mean time, as has been seen,
however, the purchase and settlement
of Belfast had been effected. Mitchell
was foremost in the enterprise; and
with great cost of workmen and mate
rials from Boston, built saw mill on
the Westcot brook, before house had
been erected in the town. To his man
agement the proprietors entrusted their
concerns; and he kept the records after
the town was incorporated. OF his six
sons, five went early into the war, in
the service of the colonies; four of them
went, not to return. Robert only,
after the peace, being released from
prison in Europe, where he had been
for a long time confined, returned to
his family. John first served with Nc
Neal as a sailing master, afterwards
with Manly as lieutenant. George was
a midshipman. Samuel and Joshua
were Seamen.
After the defeat suffered by Lowell,
Mitchell lost no time in removing him.
self beyond the reach of British author
ity. In the night following that disas-
ter, he put what of his effects he was
able SO to manage, into gondola. and
with his family, and such others as
chose to share his fortunes, floated
down the bay to cove in Thomaston;
where they landed, and crossed over
the peninsula to fort George: and after
wards proceeded to New Hampshire,
where he resided until his death in 1901.
His age was eighty seven years.