James and Eliza Mitchell

The second Mitchell son was James, nicknamed 'Yorkie'. He had a forceful, clear, tenor voice and was an active member of the Sydney Street Primitive Methodist choir along with two of his brothers.

His obituary noted that:

"In the mid-fifties, a strong tide of immigration set in to Wellington, and included amongst the new arrivals was a large sprinkling of people from Yorkshire, including some who had been associated with the Primitive Methodist Connexion in the Homeland. These were accorded a hearty welcome, and gradually others were drawn together, the result being that a strong choir, with a compact orchestra, was formed. Yorkshire people are noted for their musical ability, and evidence of it was provided in the Sydney Street Church, the musical portions of the service becoming famous, with the result that first the extension of the building and then a larger and more imposing edifice became necessary. The credit for this was in some measure due to Mr James Mitchell, whose kindly greeting to the newcomers had the effect of drawing them around him; indeed his humble home in Polhill's Gully became a regular meeting place, and many a happy gathering of choir, orchestra and friends was held there."

Ref: Obituary of James Mitchell from the New Zealand Primitive Methodist, June 1, 1908, pg 126.

James with son Charles

Following a deed of conveyance dated 7 August 1858, James was paid ₤264 by his brothers Joseph and Henry and his brother-in-law Eli for his share of the land. James and Eliza and their growing family moved back into town, probably to town acre 204 in Dixon Street (just around the corner from Cuba Street on the north west side of Dixon Street), were he became a carrier and contractor. His contracts included work relating to the formation of Adelaide Road and draining the swamp in the Basin Reserve area. Prison labour was used in 1863 to help drain the swamp. In 1866 the Town Board financed fences around the Basin Reserve, the planting of trees, and subsidised the cost of preparing the grounds for the first cricket match which was played there on 11 January 1868 between the Wellington Volunteers and a team from H.M.S. Falcon.

James Mitchell

On 5 June 1873, James returned to Tawa Flat and purchased 13 acres of section 41 from William Catt. Two years later (31 August 1875), he sold the land to William Peckham. On 9 August 1877, he purchased Section 44 (around 106 acres), living in Bartlett's house on the site. He sold the section to John Murphy of Wellington on 15 February 1879. James was, in turn, a trustee of each of the Methodist churches in Wellington and supported them financially to the utmost of his ability. He was active in the Sunday School till he was over seventy and stopped then only because of an accident that incapacitated him. In the 1900s James and Eliza lived at 14 Wilson Street until their deaths James in 1908 aged 85 and Eliza in 1913 aged 88. They'd had 11 children, 8 of whom lived past the age of 21.

Eliza (nee Mann) Mitchell	Headstone at Karori Cemetery

Text on headstone: In loving remembrance of James Mitchell who departed this life Mar 25th 1908 aged 85 years.Gone to Christ after 60 years labour for his Lord and Maker. One less at home! The charmed circle broken – a dear face missed day by day from its accustomed place; but cleansed and saved, and perfected by grace one more in Heaven! One less on earth, its pain, its sorrow and its toil to share; one more crown of ransomed saint to wear at home in Heaven. Also Eliza Mitchell wife of the above who died Oct 3rd 1914 aged 88 years.

Photo of James Mitchell seated kindly provided by the Methodist Church of New Zealand Archives from page 126 of The New Zealand Primitive Methodist June 1, 1908.