The Scots of Merritt's Island - Part 3: What happened to James

The Scot invasion onto Merritt Island has left a legacy. Happy with the county’s mosquito control? Thank the son of D. St. Clair Nisbet. Like the looks of St. Luke’s church, thank Mr. Grant. Enjoy a day on the ball fields at Mitchell Ellington Park? Thank James Mitchell and his heirs.

This is the conclusion of the Scots of Indianola and consists of newspaper articles from the 1890s, to chronicle their lives.

November 1888 The Florida Star, excerpt:

…estates of Mr. RSS grant and D. St Clair Nisbet, both of Glasgow won’t let the grass grow under their feet by any means. They have 145 acres cleared, 500 oranges trees and pineapple and bananas in abundance ...they have also 60 head of cattle ranging on the island, and are in a fair way to prosperity and independence.

Right here east of Mr. Sanders’ place is the Mitchell brothers grove. The nucleus of what may be called the Scotch colony, Mr. J. F. Mitchell who came [sic] Glasgow four years ago and entered homestead with his brother. They have between them three hundred and four hundred orange trees set out, and expect to locate a small settlement of Scotch friends in their immediate neighborhood in the near future.

…we found a squad of bachelors. The most natty among them spend $150 a year that might be saved by mending a patching. The rest tie themselves up with strings, and use horse shoe anils as buttons. They are very sentimental and have a vague far away look in their eyes. They blushed awfully when we took out by mistake a pair of our aunt’s stockings. However, the Messrs. Mitchell, are now employed in Titusville, (that naughty town) and may have a little of the bloom rubbed off…

Spring/Fall 1892 Indian River Advocate Newspaper:

Mr. James Mitchell is at home again, after several weeks spent as a mail clerk on the lower river.

Mr. Tom Mitchell is at home gain after nine months spent in Julperier as a member of the Life Saving crew.

Mr. S. Grant returned from Titusville a few days since with a lot of furniture for his newly furnished home.

Mr. T Mitchell spent a few days with friends here recently, making farewell calls before going to Jupiter for the winter with the Life Saving crew.

Summer/Winter 1893 Indian River Advocate Newspaper:

Mr. DS Nesbit sold pineapples last week weighing 14 pounds. A very good show for Indianola.

Mr. Simson Grant - one of the popular men of Indianola- will shortly take unto himself a wife. We wish him every happiness in advance.

1894 Indian River Advocate Newspaper:

Mr. D. St. Clair Nesbit, of Indianionola, came up to town Wednesday and returned with the Rev. F C Bayliss, who went to the above place to tie the nuptial knot for Mr. Simson Grant and his bride to be.

On Monday, fire entered the grove of Mr. St. Clair Nisbet and did much damage. Mr. Nisbet and most of the young men were absent on a cow hunt, so there was no one in the neighborhood to aid Messrs. Grant and Mitchell, who did all that two men could do to save the grove, which, but for them, would have been totally destroyed.

Mr. Tom Mitchell having finished his labors from the season, with the Life Saving Crew, is a pleasant visitor at Indianola.

Mr. Grant has been busily engaged for some time back, clearing up the river front, land presented to Mrs. Grant by her father, Mr. JR Field. Mr Grant intends to plant iit with orange trees.

Mr. Jim Michtell has left Indianola for the present to travel in the interest of Messrs. Pace and Doyle. Mitchell is a first class drummer and very fair fiddler as our local dancers bear testimony.

Mr. Jas. F. Mitchell , of Indianola, has received the sum of $16 from the well known British publication, Chambers’ Journal, for an article upon Indian River.

Our friend, Clair Nisbet, made a trip to Titusville last Friday and declared his interest of becoming a citizen of this land. We are all glad of it. He will be a good citizen and is a general favorite.

1895 Florida Star Newspaper:

Mr. James Mitchiell is now rendering valuable service s as bookkeeper at the Rockledge Store, having given up his position with Mr Porcher at Cocoa on account of the freeze and consequent dullness in fruit shipping. He is boarding at the Palm House.

The article in last week’s STAR, which read: ‘In the raffle at Sanders’ store  for the bicycle, Mr. Paterson won the wheel for Mrs. Jas. Mithcell,’ it should have said Mr. Jas. Mitchell. There is no Mrs. Mitchell nor any prospect of one.

1896 Indian River Advocate Newspaper:

Mr. RS Grant, one of Indianola’s prominent young men, is having 300 acres of land fenced for cattle.

Mr. Jas. F. Mitchell, of Indianola, will again occupy the position of bookkeeper to Mr. Geo. N Hatch, Rockledge, the coming season. Mr. Hatch has one of the finest and neatest kept stores on Indian River.

Spoiler: James Mitchell did in fact marry a Miss Lena Norwood and they had three daughters.