John Mitchell - and wife Susan,who saved 4 people from drowning at Mitchells.1889. - ALBUM -

About this image

DescriptionThis might be of interest to those with No TOWN or Mitchells, Lake Brunner, connections.
(Scroll down to "External Link" to read the stories in Papers Past.)

Photo 1:John with his dog on a bush track at Mitchells.
Photo 2:A presentation work-box for Susan from members of the No Town Picnic Party in recognition of her services.
Photos 3-6:A copy of the original of that two page very nicely handwritten address follows together with engravings.

John Williams MITCHELL was born in Padstow, Cornwall in 1828.He migrated to New Zealand and married Susan Roach in 1868.Together they operated the Mitchells Accommodation House on Lake Brunner.
(refer to Mitchells Accomodation House in "external Link below)

On Saturday 9th February 1889 the No Town Picnic Party together with members of the No Town Band sailed over to Mitchells for a “Day out”. After a day of good cheer, music and imbibing they left Mitchells homeward. There were two boats followed for a short time by Susan Mitchell and two others in her boat.
One of the No Town boats got into difficulty and capsized. Susan Mitchell returned to the scene and assisted those in the water. Two of the party drowned. Susan Mitchell is praised by the party and credited with saving the lives of four persons.
(Refer to "Fatal Accident on Lake Brunner" in External Link below.)

John Williams Mitchell died on 24th February 1906
(refer to John William Mitchells Death in the external link below)

- followed a year later by Susan on 28th May 1907.
John and Susan are buried with their children Sarah and Henry at the Greenstone Cemetery.
(Refer to Finda Grave-John William Mitchell in the external link below.)

John and Susan were the Uncle and Aunt of Frederick James Key who was a storekeeper at Ngahere and later in Dunollie on Argyle Street a few doors down from the Hotel.John had acted as a sponsor for Frederick Key when he emigrated to New Zealand also from Padstow.

Later Susan Mitchell received a formal citation and presentation of a work-box from members of the No Town Picnic Party in recognition of her services.

A copy of the original of that two page very nicely handwritten address follows together with several photos of the work-box and the engraving.

Those with family connections to No Town may recognise the names of the signatories. For instance, my friend’s Great Grandfather, Jeremiah McCarthy, is a party to the address.

Olive Beban was given the workbox and citation by her dad, the late Fred Key, the great nephew of John and Susan Mitchell.

Olive had the original citation preserved by Lynn Campbell; a paper conservator based in Christchurch.
Date of Photo1889Map^[1]External LinkMitchells Accommodation HouseFatal Accident on Lake BrunnerFindagrave- John William MitchellSusan Mitchells deathJohn William Mitchell`s DeathContributorPatrick Beban

Shown in this image

Location (city or town)MitchellsNotownPersonJohn MitchellSusan MitchellFrederick KeyLandmark (Place)Lake MitchellsEventPicnic party from Notown

Category Information

Category TagpicnicLake

From Facebook

Date Created4th June 2020CommentsGeoffrey Bell Joseph Molloy was my great uncle. He is buried in the No Town Cemetery along with two of his brothers and mother. His two brothers also died in tragic circumstances. Their father, John Molloy, was drowned in the Grey River. It was known he was carrying a significant amount of gold with him at the time and was possibly attacked for the gold and pushed into the river.

Patrick Beban Cheers Geoffrey. I thought that there might be a connection. I expect there might be others after looking at the citation. Jeremiah McCarthy whom I referred to is Chris Chunn's great grandfather on his father's side. He was a No Town identity and later was County Chairman and the prop of the Commercial Hotel. I attach a copy of the citation just in case you missed it in the other posting.

Geoffrey Bell Thanks Patrick. I researched this some years ago. I have my grandmother's Birthday Book and it not only contains births, deaths and marriages of family members, but also family friends. The McCarthy family were close friends of the Molloys so it has some of their names in it as well. There were lots of Jeremiah McCarthys. I have attached the page with Jeremiah Senior's birth date. It also contains jeremiah Jnr's birth and death dates.
Geoffrey Bell The above article mentions Clonmore. That was the name of Molloy's Farm. The area was later to become Kotuku when the Railway came

OCR Text Transcription Edit Edit +-Close

Editing is temporarily disabled

Cancel Edit

Start typing here to find a location	Latitude	Longitude	Zoom	Actions

loading google map....

Save Cancel

Menu

John Mitchell - and wife Susan,who saved 4 people from drowning at Mitchells.1889. - ALBUM -

Editing is temporarily disabled