Family of Robert MITCHELL and [unnamed person]

Note from Vandra Harper, who has done much of the research on the Mitchells.

ROBERT MITCHELL born 25 March 1809 Coupar Angus. This man has been the reason for all my frustrating research over the past year. For it was a 1841 census record that had me first puzzled with this Mitchell family and now after all this time I still do not have that 1841 census record sorted entirely.

Robert was a thatcher like his father and brother William. In the 1841 census Robert is living in Union Street of New Road Coupar Angus. His age is listed as 25, a thatcher. With him are Peter Mitchell, 50, a thatcher (too young for his father) an Elizabeth Mitchell abt 50 too, Grace Mitchell given aged 20 and Catherine Mitchell aged abt 9.

Now Catherine Mitchell I say is Roberts daughter born Catherine Mitchell 1832 and baptised by Roberts brother William Mitchell and his wife Eliza Lawson. I have no idea who the Elizabeth and Grace Mitchell are, nor which Peter Mitchell this man is!

 

However in 1851 census, Robert Mitchell (35) a thatcher is living with his married sister Euphemia (Elspeth Mitchell born 1 Aug 1811 Coupar Angus) now married and Mrs Euphemia Mcglashan. Robert is described as the brother in law of the Head of house, John Mcglashan, Elspeths husband; John Mcglashan (35) is a saddler. They all live at 35 Hunter St Dundee. Have loads of info on this family too if you want.

Incidentally the Catherine Mitchell (28) a mill worker is described as the niece of Johns wife Euphemia which adds fuel to my theory that Catherine Mitchell is Roberts daughter.

 

In 1861 census, Robert Mitchell 48) a straw worker is now living with his widowed sister Esther Marshall (Esther Mitchell) in Campbell St Coupar Angus.

 

In 1871 census, Robert (58) a thatcher is living at the Ward Rattray. He is Head of House. Now has a wife, Margaret Fraser (44) born 21 Mar 1825 Collace. Her father was James Fraser who I think married Isabel Smeaton (b23 Aug 1795 Perth). Isabels father was William Smeaton and her mother was Margaret Cross.

It would appear that Margaret Fraser had had three children prior to this marriage. For one daughters birth record , daughter Jessie Fraser born 1862 Cargill, has stated “illegitimate” on it and the mother is noted “single” , a housekeeper and signed with her X” mark only.

The marriage for Robert Mitchell and Margaret Fraser was 29 Jan 1868 in the Free Church of Scotland Coupar Angus. Both are listed as single and aged 48 and 42. Witnesses to their marriage were, Margarets brother Alexander Fraser and Roberts nephew Robert Marshall.

 

In 1881 census, Robert resides at Muir of Blair Blaigowrie as a thatcher. Margaret is still in Rattray working as a washerwoman.

 

Robert Mitchell died 10 Nov 1886 at Muir of Blair. His certificates states he had paralysis for a year. Margaret the informant gave incorrect information re Roberts birth mother andhis age. Margaret gave her address as 11 Herriot Row Blairgowrie.

 

As for Roberts daughter, Catherine Mitchell, I have loads on her life for she came to NZ and was my gg grandmother.