What happened to Charles Mitchell, the third youngest son of Jacob and Mary Mitchell, is something of a mystery. His siblings, in their letters, are frequently asking for Charles' address and lamenting the fact that they have not heard from him. Perhaps the clearest indication we have of what was happening in Charles' life is contained in the June 21, 1882 letter from his cousin, John McGlashan.
The New Zealand letters circa 1874 refer to "Charles, his young wife and daughter". It appears that Charles (like his brother George) was married under the name Mitchellson, which delayed the finding of details of his marriage and offspring. In fact, Charles Mitchellson was married to Marion Brown Cossar at Douglas, Lanark on October 26th, 1871. [Click here for more information about the Cossar family.] Charles and Marion's first child, Eliza Tennant Mitchellson, was born the following year. There was an apparent break-up of their marriage in 1882. What is known is that Marion was offered her passage to America by her brother. Whether Charles accompanied her or not, we do not know. The last information we have is that Charles was at an address in Toronto, Canada.
Some additional information is now available from the 1891 British Census, which shows Marion Brown Cossar back in Scotland (from America) and enumerated in her parent's home at Muirfoot Toll, 630 Carmichael, Lanarkshire, as follows:
John COSSAR, head of household
Elizabeth TENNANT wife
Marion MITCHELL ms COSSAR, aged 44, married
Jacob MITCHELL, grandson, unmarried, aged 17
John Cossar and Jacob Mitchell are both described in the 1891 Census as 'road surfacemen' and employed.The following letter was written by Charles Mitchell to his parents. The statement "Agness time is up at the school" is something of a mystery. [Recent information shows that one of Marion Cossar's sister had an illegitimate daughter named Agnes.] In the 1881 Census, Marion Mitchell was enumerated at the residence of her niece, Agnes Stubbs. It is more than likely this is the 'Agness' referred to in the 1881 letter.
A second letter dated 1884, from D.E. Dinwoodie (printed below), specifically states that Marion was in America at that time, and indicates they have no certain knowledge of the whereabouts of Charles. The inference is that Charles and Marion were both overseas, although not necessarily together, and that the two children were left behind in Scotland.
Glasgow 23 1882
Dear Father and Mother. I write you these few lines to let you know we are well. Hoping this will find you both the same. I was up seeing the wanes last Saturday week. They were looking well and getting on at the school.
It is now the Term and I think we will shift to Motherwell as we have given up our house here. Houses is very dear of rents and taxes and it will be easier for us getting a house in Motherwell cheaper and it will be better than Glasgow for the 2 wee wanes, and Agness time is up at the school. So she is leaving and I would like to have the 2 home and it will be better for all.
So it's going to take me hard enough scraping to square up my rent here and flit so if you would be kind enough to lend me 2 Pounds I will pay you it honestly back in a month or so. Father, if you be kind enough to send me it I will remember you as I have now no other one to ask it from and 2 would put me all right.
I have been working at the masoning here since I saw you. But I think I could get same thing more steady in Motherwell if I once was settled there.
Now, father, if you could send the 2 Pounds by Friday morning as Friday is the day we will have to flit. I wrote to William but he has not wrote me back since, so I have not heard from him at all. Hoping to find you both well and hope to hear from you by return. I will conclude by sending our kind love.
Your son and daughter, C & M Mitchell.A further letter, which may form part of the puzzle:
Sandilands Street, 31st January, 1884 Your letter of last week to hand. The children are at school and doing well. We do not know anything of Charles. He was in America the last time we heard of him.
Marion is still in America, has a good situation and is much respected. We had a letter last week and she is well and never was better off in her life.
Your letter was handed over for the children to reply. Yours truly, D.E. Dinwoodie
There is one further letter, written to Jacob and Mary by a grandson, Jacob. It is now certain that the writer was a son of Charles and Marion Mitchell, Jacob Mitchellson b. 1873.08.22.
Muirfoot, August 10th, 1885 Dear Grandmother and Grandfather, We received your letter and were glad to see by it that you were both well. As for my letter, I don't remember writing it. But I can remember well of visiting you at Leith and gathering shells down on the sand shore. We are both well and trusting this may find both of you enjoying the same great blessing. I remain, your affectionate grandson, Jacob Mitchell.
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© 1998 by Irene Mitchell imitchel@uniserve.com
Last updated: 2001-09-29