User:WilyD/William Case/James Mitchell

James Mitchell was a Methodist circuit rider.

Mitchell was born in Monaghan, Ireland around 1777. His father died around 1785, and his family soon thereafter emigrated to America, settling in Soudersburgh, Pennsylvania.

Mitchell was licensed as an exhorter in 1805. Mitchell was received on trial by the Philidelphia Conference in 1806, and assigned to the Somersett Circuit, where he served as an assistant to Peter Vannest. In 1807 he was transferred to the Scipio Circuit in the Genesee District. He was recieved into Full Connection in 1808, and in 1809 assigned to the Holland's Landing and Caledonia Circuit of Upper Canada. He was also made an elder that year, with a year less experience than was typical. His strong performance, and his need for extra authority on an isolated circuit, resulted in the promotion. In 1811, Mitchell was assigned to the Montreal Circuit in the Lower Canada District. During his year there, membership in the Methodist church increased.

Mitchell returned to the Philidelphia Conference in 1813, and received appointments riding circuits there in 1813, 1814 and 1815. After 1815, he was located. Mitchell had married Eliza Brohst, of Lancaster, Pennsylvania the previous year. His wife fell ill, and Mitchell was located in Philidelphia, Pennsylvania, where he began attending the University of Pennsylvania in addition to his work as a preacher. His wife died a few years after their settlement in Philidelphia, and Mitchell married Eliza Landreth. Mitchell was superannuated in 1824, and died on April 13th, 1859.