LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Slight Error in Mitchell Family, Golf Course History

To the Editor:

I have been a subscriber to the Town Crier for many years and I eagerly look forward to your history column by Frank Straus each week. For me, his writings create a romantic and life-like bridge to the past, on endless topics about Mackinac and the surrounding area. Rarely do I feel inclined to correct the experts, but I do wish to point out a slight error made by Mr. Straus in the July 7 issue of the Town Crier, in his article on the history of the Jewel Golf Course at Grand Hotel.

While describing early uses of the land for pasture and garden, Mr. Straus mentions the Mitchell family and incorrectly states the name of Elizabeth Mitchell's husband as George. Dr. Mitchell's name was David (ref. David and Elizabeth, "The Mitchell Family of the Straits of Mackinac," by David A. Armour, Mackinac History, Vol. II, 1982). George was one of their sons. Additional comments by Mr. Straus about the Mitchells seem to agree with other documents I've read, however, at the time of her death (February 1827), Elizabeth had joined David at his farm on Drummond Island. This makes me question exactly when the Mitchells surrendered ownership of their properties on Mackinac.

Even though Elizabeth and David Mitchell were living on Drummond in early 1827, it's probable that at least one of their sons (very likely George) still resided on Mackinac Island. This is evidenced in Mrs. John (Juliette) Kenzie's book, "Wabun," published in 1873, which provides an account of her visit to Mackinac in September 1830, where she was received by Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell. Her schedule planned for her to dine with Mr. Mitchell, "an old friend of my husband."

As she narrates her stroll through the village en route to the Mitchell home, one gets the impression, from the order in which she describes the houses and buildings, that she is headed for the old Mitchell homestead, which was originally on Market Street across from the Biddle House. This had always been my assumption, until Mr. Strauss' piece appeared.

Interestingly, this ties closely to another published error of historical fact regarding the Mitchell family, in Eugene Petersen's, "Mackinac Island, Its History In Pictures, 1973." In describing Elizabeth Mitchell, he notes she had stayed behind to care for the family's home on Mackinac after David Mitchell left with the British Army in 1796. Many of Petersen's other statements regarding the Mitchells are not supported in David Armour's vignette. The most striking discrepancy, though, occurs when Dr. Petersen says of Elizabeth:

"One contemporary described her as of French and Sioux Indian extraction, extremely pretty, with soft and gentle manners. A post doctor at Fort Crawford is supposed to have committed suicide over an unsuccessful attachment he had for her."

Compare this with Mrs. Kenzie's description in "Wabun," of the "Mrs. Mitchell" that she was visiting in 1830, more than three years after Elizabeth had died:

"We were received by Mrs. M, an extremely pretty, delicate woman, part French and part Sioux, whose early life had been passed at Prairie du Chien, on the Mississippi. She had been a great belle among the young officers at Fort Crawford; so much so, indeed, that the suicide of the post-surgeon was attributed to an unsuccessful attachment he had conceived for her. I was greatly struck with her soft and gentle manners, and the musical intonation of her voice, which I soon learned was a distinguishing peculiarity of those women in whom are united the French and native blood".

I believe that Dr. Petersen paraphrased Juliet Kenzie's account from "Wa-bun," and somehow confused it for a description of Elizabeth Mitchell. Whether this has ever been noted or questioned by historians, I do not know.

The Mitchells were an impressive family in Mackinac Island's history. I had noted Dr. Petersen's error many years ago and found this opportunity to bring it out, and tie it to Mr. Straus' story, too tempting to let pass. My thanks again to the Town Crier and Mr. Straus for the history column. I hope that you will continue to carry it for a great many years to come.
Michael Williams
Greenville