Samuel Mitchell (governor)

Samuel Mitchell
Governor of Grenada
In office
1795–1796
Preceded byKenneth Mackenzie
Succeeded byAlexander Houstoun
Personal details
Born(1750-10-05)5 October 1750
Bucklersbury, City of London, England
Died4 February 1805(1805-02-04) (aged 54)
CitizenshipBritish
SpouseMary Floud (married 7th September 1802-1805)
Domestic partnerVictoire (1777-1796)
Children4
RelativesSamuel Chandler (grandfather)
William Stewart Mitchell D’Urban (grandson)
OccupationGovernor of Grenada

Samuel Mitchell (5 October 1750 – 4 February 1805) was the interim governor of Grenada during the Fédon revolt (1795–1796), he succeeded Kenneth Mackenzie who was also an interim governor. Samuel Mitchell was also a slave and land owner and was a part of the local government and militia.[1]

Life

Samuel Mitchell was born in 1750 in Bucklersbury in London to Thomas Mitchell and Elizabeth Chandler (daughter of Rev. Samuel Chandler), he grew up in England before going to Grenada around the year 1765. In 1790 he purchased the Chemin Estate and changes its name to “Hope Vale estate” there is no trace of the plantation as a village was built where the plantation once was. In the same year (1790) became President of the island's council. He returned to England after the revolt as his plantations was ruined. He had two illegitimate children with a slave called Victoire in Grenada, one called John Mitchell (1777–1841) and Frederick Mitchell (1778-). John Mitchell was the patriarch of the Mitchell family which is a large family in the south of Grenada (many Grenadians have relatives who were “Mitchells”). In the UK he married Mary Floud and had two children, Mary Elizabeth (1803–1892) and Samuel (1806-1806).[2][3][4] Mary Elizabeth married James D’Urban, son of Benjamin D’Urban, Mary's son was William Stewart Mitchell D’Urban, who was an English museum curator and naturalist.

References

  1. ^ "Samuel MITCHELL b. 5 Oct 1750 d. 4 Feb 1805 Newport House, Topsham, Devon. England: Devon Mitchells". www.devon-mitchells.co.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
  2. ^ "Summary of Individual | Legacies of British Slavery". www.ucl.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
  3. ^ Guild, History (2023-05-08). "'Excessive severity': Treason and the Grenadian Rebellion of 1795". History Guild. Retrieved 2025-09-20.
  4. ^ "D'Urban family links to slavery" (PDF).