Obituary of George Mitchell 1791
Transcribed by Pauline Mitchell Pierce, a g.g.g.g.grandaughter
Obituary of Col. George Mitchell
Recorded in the State Gazette of North Carolina
Edenton, North Carolina
Names include:
Colonel George Mitchell
Robert W. Snead
Abraham Mitchell, Jr.
Keziah Hunter
Emanuel Jones
Messrs. William Ferrand
Esaac Guion
William Jones
Wife and eight children, names not given.
August 12, 1791 Died today at Onslow Court House, Colonel George Mitchell of Onslow County. Col. Mitchell and Robert W. Snead were competitiors for representing Onslow County in the North Carolina Senate, and much ill will had developed in the political race. Mr. Snead was declared elected after the election was closed. Mr. Snead was observed to call Col. Mitchell from amongst the people assembled at the court house and to go with him into a thicket nearby.
Shortly afterwards a pistol shot was heard, and people came running from the court house. The crowd found Col. Mitchell lying dead in the presence of Mr. Snead. Two wounds were found on Col. Mithcell a pistol shot passing through his shoulder and out below his ribs, the other wound on the skull from a heavy blow with the butt of the pistol. Mr. Snead was there apprehended and put in jail. Col. Mitchell bore an unblemished character and was very active during the Revolutionary War. For many years he represented Onslow County in the General Assembly.
Col. Mitchell was the son of Abraham Mitchell, Jr., and Keziah Hunter of the White Oak River. After his father’s death, his mother married Emanuel Jones, in whose home at Mount Pleasant near Swansborough Col. Mitchell grew up to manhood. For some years he was a clerk for Messrs. (William) Ferrand and (Isaac) Guion at their store in Swansborough and was later a partner in trade there with his half brother William Jones. Col. Mitchell leaves a wife and eight children.