The fourth of nine sons of a Glasgow minister, Mitchell was born on 1 December 1804. After attending McIlquham's school in Anderston, he was sent, aged 11, to college and attained his Master of Arts degree in 1823. He spent his entire working life with the legal firm of Mitchells Cowan and Johnston, as successively an apprentice, a clerk and a partner. His work was mainly concerned with the railways, and with legal reform.
He retained his church involvement, becoming in turn an elder and Father of the Session. In 1874 he received a degree in divinity from the University of Glasgow.
He never married, and died at home in Park Terrace, Glasgow, on 3 November 1882.
LIKE many other worthy citizens, James Mitchell was a minister's son. Indeed, he was a Hebrew of the Hebrews, a son and a grandson of the manse. He was a Seceder born and bred, and come of a good Seceder stock.
His grandfather, the Rev. Andrew Mitchell, was trained in the little Anti-burgher Divinity Hall held at Abernethy, under the Rev. Alexander Moncrieff, one of the four Fathers of the Secession, and in 1765 was settled as Anti-burgher minister of Beith. There he spent his days. He was never heard of outside his own district, but in Beith some faint tradition still lingers of his long sermons and his stern Sabbatarianism, of his blameless life and simple, kindly, nature, of the love and respect he won from every one.(1) The last act of his ministry was characteristic. When broken by age and by a long course of faithful labour, he had himself carried to the pulpit, and there rehearsed the leading doctrines and duties he had been used to teach, took his people to record (like Paul) that he was free from the blood of all men, and, commending them to God, solemnly bade them farewell. He died in Glasgow, and was buried in Cheapside of Anderston, in the shadow of his son's church.
As usual with ministers, Anti-burgher and others, the Rev. Andrew Mitchell had a family in inverse proportion to his means. He had an income that a rivetter would scout, even in these bad times, and he had ten children, seven sons and three daughters, Job's number and division. But by mysterious arts (now lost, yet of which every manse once had the secret), he brought them all up respectably, and managed to send three of the seven sons to college. Most of the ten settled here, and they and theirs have so loyally obeyed the command to multiply and replenish the earth, that the old minister would have been put to it to find sittings for them all. They have been on the whole
"A creditable stock
O' dacent, honest, fawsont folk:"
the town has been none the worse of them.
James Mitchell's father was the second of the seven sons, the Rev. John Mitchell, D.D. In 1793, when a young preacher, he was called to the Anti-burgher congregation in Cheapside of Anderston. The congregation had just been formed, and he was its first Minister.
It was a happy choice, and the beginning of a singularly happy congregational career. Dr. Mitchell was succeeded in 1844 by Dr. Robson, and Dr. Robson in 1877 by Dr. Black: the Anti-burghers by union with the Burghers became in 1820 United Seceders, and the United Seceders by union with the Relief became in 1847 United Presbyterians: the grim old meeting-house in Cheapside was vacated in 1827 for a fine edifice in Wellington Street, and this again has in 1884 been vacated for one still finer in University Avenue. But under whichever minister, however designated, wherever located, this has been a favoured congregation. The ministers have always held fast the form of sound words, and the doctrines they have taught they have always enforced by consistent walk and conversation, and commanded by singular graces of character.
"Who made the heart, 'tis He alone
Decidedly can try us;"
but, as far as one may judge, the sowers have not sown in vain. The Wellington congregation (its name now) has been throughout noted for its careful nurture of every form of congregational life, for its interest in philanthropic and Christian work outside of itself, and for a liberality which has just culminated in the largest church collection on record.(2) Better still, throughout ninety-three years no strife has ever vexed its peace, scarce a breeze has rippled the surface that it should not reflect the heaven above.
Some will still remember Dr. Mitchell, the handsome figure in the old-fashioned knee-breeches and black silk stockings, and the face with a rare sweetness of expression. The expression was but the character shining through. Dr. Mitchell lived to be seventy-five, but he never succeeded in making an enemy; indeed, he never could get the length of a sharp word or an unkindly thought to a human being. And not for him was it written, "He makes no friend who never made a foe." No man of his day was more beloved by those who knew him, nor more universally respected.(3) By his wife, Ann Gillespie, daughter of William Gillespie of Bishopton, Dr. Mitchell had fifteen children, of whom eleven, two daughters and nine sons, grew up. He left them little but the blessing promised to the seed of the righteous, but it was fortune enough. The two daughters were both suitably married, and the nine sons all won respectable positions, three as merchants, three as cotton spinners, three as writers. How many families of eleven are so well provided?
James Mitchell was the fourth of the nine sons. He was born 1st December, 1804, in Hope Street, Anderston, where his father then had a pretty cottage with a garden in front: there are no pretty cottages and gardens there now-a-days. He was first sent to McIlquham's school (still standing in School Wynd, Anderston). From this, at the age of eleven, young even for those days, he was sent to college,(4) and in 1823 he completed a full curriculum by taking the degree of M.A. From college he went to the good old writer firm of Grahame & Mitchell, in which his uncle, Andrew Mitchell, was then the active partner. In this firm (now Mitchells Cowan & Johnston),(5) James Mitchell, as apprentice, clerk, or partner, spent the rest of his life. His health, always uncertain, hindered him latterly from active work, but he was a quick and able man of business, uniformly fair and courteous to his opponents, and zealous on behalf of his clients, especially those who had seen better days.
Mercantile practice he hardly touched: he had enough to do with the general business of an old-established firm, and with railway work, with which his firm was very early connected.(6) He took a great interest, however, in law reform, and in whatever made for the usefulness and the good name of his profession.(7) As a citizen he was noted for his liberality and for his kindly interest in all movements for the good of the town, and in all works of piety and charity. In private life his counsel was much sought, and those who brought him their difficulties (often with little claim on him) were sure of a patient hearing and careful, sound advice. He was the centre of a large circle, and his fresh spirit, his love of young folks, his genial welcome and old-fashioned courtesy, made him an admirable host. But his hospitable doors opened their widest to his ministers and his ministers' sons, and his house was known to the familiars as the "U.P. Arms." Indeed, his Church, her interests, honour, usefulness, lay next James Mitchell's heart. He bore no ill-will to other Churches, but the defection of the born U.P. did puzzle and vex him. He was one of the standing counsel of his Church, and was often called on to advise as to her general polity. Of his father's old congregation he was throughout life a devoted member, lavish of his time and his money. He was chosen an elder young, and he lived to be the Father of the Session. The eldership is the most special feature of the Presbyterian polity, and the best bit of Church machinery in any of the Churches; and James Mitchell took a high view of the office. He was much gratified in 1874 by receiving the degree of LL.D. from the University of Glasgow, his old university and his oldest client (8): but after all no honour (he said) was to him equal to the honour of being an elder in Wellington Street. The eldership with him was no sinecure. He did not limit its duties to faithful attendance on meetings of session or of committee. He was the right hand of the successive ministers: and, as long as his health allowed, he was a diligent visitor of his district, smoothing the pillow of the sick, comforting the bereaved, helping the struggling. And, as they buried the old man, a little knot of poor women watched the hearse move away: it held the remains perhaps of their only friend.
He died in his house in Park Terrace, on 3rd November, 1882, unmarried.
(1) At a time when ministers of the Establishment habitually treated Seceders as pariahs, Mr. Mitchell had the friendship and respect of the parish minister of Beith, and at sacrament times had the parish church, church-yard, and tent handed over to him. Heritors, members of the Establishment, when carting their teind meal to the parish girnel, would drop an orra bag or two at Mr. Mitchell's door. No Beith man or woman, whether of his congregation or of another (there were no "lapsed masses" in Old Beith), would face Mr. Mitchell's rebuke for Sabbath breaking: on a Sunday morning, if he was seen coming round the corner, men hanging about in their week-day clothes would slink down the close, and women at the well would drop their stoups and run for it. His Kirk-Session were as strict as himself. A member, John King of Giffen Miln, had a son John coming out for the Anti-Burgher ministry. When a student young John had at one time from convenience attended a Burgher church. This was to commit the offence of "promiscuous hearing," and when young John came on for his Trials, his Presbytery refused him license unless he should first underlie discipline. Young John declined, crossed the road to the Burghers, and was by them licensed, and soon after sent to preach near Beith. There his father went to hear him, and for yielding to this family failing he was forthwith had up by his Kirk-Session. But the miller was equal to the occasion. He owned the act and acknowledged the jurisdiction, but by evil arts he got his unsuspecting judges to agree that the Decalogue contained the sum of human duty, and then he claimed to know which of the Ten Commands forbade "promiscuous hearing." This point had not been considered. One said the first, another the second, several the fourth; altogether they "had not clearness"; and the offender, declining to underlie discipline till the court should define his crime, escaped from the very hands of justice: abiit, evasit, erupit. John King, the son, became the Burgher minister of John Street, Montrose, and was the father of David King, D.D., of the Greyfriars, from whom came the story of the miller of Giffen Miln.
(2) The new church in University Avenue was opened on Sunday, 12th October, 1884, when £11,375 12s. 8¾d. was put in the plate. At the same time £1,160 was subscribed for the organ. There is an interesting history of the Wellington Congregation. Dr. James Mitchell wrote it, and presented it to the congregation in 1877, when they had worshipped for fifty years in Wellington Street.
(3) In 1837 his old university, Glasgow, made him D.D. In 1837 Principal Macfarlan was supreme there, and the Voluntary Controversy was at its height. It was said no other Seceder minister would at the time have had the honour. He had already, in 1815, been made D.D. by Princeton (the college of which Jonathan Edwards was President). Dr. Mitchell was Moderator of the Secession Synod in 1825, and from 1825 to 1842 Professor of Biblical Literature in the Synod's Divinity Hall. He did not live to see the Union of 1847 between Seceders and Relievers, but he warmly favoured the Union of 1820 between Burghers and Anti-Burghers. His Session also contributed a picturesque detail to the actual ceremony. It was in Bristo Street Church, Edinburgh, the church of the fiery Adam Gib, that the Seceders had been broken into two hostile bands. It was to Bristo Street Church that the two bands marched to pile arms and join hands. Adam Gib and all the actors of 1747 were dead. But one old man, Andrew Oliphant, an elder in Cheapside, who had seen the quarrel, was spared to see the evil work, after seventy-three years, undone: and he stottered along with step feeble not with years only but with want of sleep: his intense interest in the Union had kept him awake for nights back. (McKerrow's "History of the Secession" (1839), ii. 411.) They were very poor, these old Seceders, and not always very wise (as how should they without penny papers?), but they were in dead earnest. They are easier to caricature than to copy.
(4) There have been younger students yet. Dr. Jameson (of the Dictionary) was at College at nine, and through College and in the Anti-Burgher Divinity Hall at fourteen ("United Secession Magazine," August, 1844). Even in our own day Sir William Thomson began his distinguished University career at ten.
(5) Mitchells Cowan & Johnston is one of our oldest firms of any kind, and is our oldest law firm except Hill Davidson & Hoggan. These two old law firms were founded by two brothers-in-law, both go back to George II., and both have throughout been in the first rank of the profession. The founder of Mitchells Cowan & Johnston was Thomas Grahame, who joined the Faculty in 1751, but is said to have been in practice from about the '45. Through his mother (Margaret Buchanan of Ballat, a cadet of Carbeth) he had a Stirlingshire connection, and in his early practice had a good deal to do in adjusting Bonds of Black Mail between unfortunate clients on the Highland Border and the successors of Rob Roy. His office was originally in Gallowgate, and was afterwards at Stockwellhead, on the site of the Granite Warehouse. Thomas Grahame had three sons - Robert, James (author of the "Sabbath"), and Thomas (father of Alexander Grahame, the well-known parliamentary solicitor). In 1772 Thomas Grahame assumed Archibald Grahame, afterwards of Dalmarnock, and the firm became Thomas and Archibald Grahame. The partners were no relations - Archibald Grahame was the industrious apprentice who rose to be his master's partner and ended by marrying his master's daughter. The contract of copartnery is still extant. The money figures are worth noting. It is for six years, and Thomas Grahame is to find the copartners in "writing-places, coal, and candle," for £10 for the first two years, £20 for the next two, and £30 for the last two: he is also to receive as against bed and board of "house apprentices" a reasonable proportion of the prentice fee (which fee Archibald Grahame's indenture gives as £45 for three years), and from the rate at which a surviving partner is to pay out a deceaser's interest this leading firm seems to have reckoned on making £250 a year. In 1781 Archibald Grahame (who is represented here by his grandson, James Grahame, C.A.) was appointed Cashier to the Thistle Bank, and gave up the legal profession. Thomas Grahame then assumed his son, Robert Grahame, and the firm became Thomas and Robert Grahame. Robert Grahame was long known as Robert Grahame of Whitehill. This fine old mansion, now obliterated by Dennistoun, he owned for half a century. He had kept house before in a flat, then No. 69, in Trongate, north side, near Brunswick Street, where (as he used to tell), in the quiet of a Sunday morning, he could hear the birds singing. Robert Grahame was one of the busiest and best known men of his day. He was for many years senior partner of a large business, and was in his office like his youngest apprentice, from eight till eight, with an hour for breakfast and an hour for dinner; he was an original partner in Charles Tennant & Co.; he took a great lift of the Great Canal; he was a leader of the old Whigs, and often a good bit in advance of the corps; and he lent a helping hand to many a good cause, especially to the abolition of the slave trade and then of slavery. His last public service was as the first Provost of the reformed Town Council in 1833. The firm of Thomas and Robert Grahame lasted till 1791, when the founder died. Robert Grahame carried on the business alone till 1800, when he assumed Andrew Mitchell (who had been bred in his office) and formed with him the firm of Grahame & Mitchell. He had no cause to regret his choice of a partner. No firm here stood higher than Grahame & Mitchell; no lawyer was more looked up to than Andrew Mitchell, or more trusted alike by clients and by professional brethren; and no hard-working man of business did more good work outside his business, zealous as he was in all public, religious, and charitable work, a faithful elder of his brother's congregation, and the constant adviser of the Secession Church. In the end of 1824 Robert Grahame retired, and the firm became Andrew Mitchell & Thomas Grahame, Thomas Grahame being Whitehill's son. There have since then been various changes. The style of the firm is now Mitchells Cowan & Johnston, and the partners are Andrew Mitchell, eldest son of Andrew Mitchell of Grahame & Mitchell, John Colin Mitchell, grandson of the Rev. Dr. Mitchell, Lachlan Cowan, and David Johnston.
(6) Grahame & Mitchell was the earliest of our railway firms. The great railways of our day were preceded by various small independent lines. On the north side of Clyde alone there were six of them, each with its tiny territory and miniature staff, each with chairman, board, secretary, agents, manager. Of these six lines James Mitchell's firm was connected with all but one, the Garnkirk. The others were the Monkland and Kirkintilloch (dating from 1824, one year later than the Stockton and Darlington), the Ballochney, the Slamannan, the Wishaw and Coltness, and the Wilsontown, Morningside, and Coltness. These have all been absorbed by the Caledonian or by the North British, and we are not likely again to see the petite culture in railways. But these primitive little lines answered better than one may think. In those Arcadian days there was no long traffic, and no more thought of the Clearing House than of the Caucus, and the Multiple Control did not cost so much after all. James Mitchell was the secretary, his firm were the agents, the Board (generally including one of the firm) met in their agents' office, nobody was highly paid, and things were pretty closely looked after. James Mitchell was succeeded in railway work by his cousin and partner, Alexander Oswald Mitchell, an able and laborious lawyer, who knew our railway system like a book, and where skill and thoroughness could insure success never failed. He lost bills, of course, for he had bad cases to fight as well as good, but on Standing Orders from the day when, as a young man of twenty-four, he carried the original bill of the Caledonian, he never lost a bill.
(7) In 1865 he was chosen Dean of Faculty (of Procurators), but he was forced from bad health to resign in 1868. He was also a member of the Royal Commission on Scotch Elementary Schools (1864), whose elaborate report was the foundation of our present system of national education.
(8) Thomas Grahame and his successors in business have been the law agents to the University since 1776.
Back to Contents