John Mitchell, Senior
John Mitchell (1779-1824), stone mason
Trained as a mason.
Married Margaret Philip; they had 8 children
Employed at the works of the Caledonian Canal.
Mr. John Mitchell attracted the notice of Thomas Telford, who promoted him first to be in charge of the construction of the roads by the sides of Loch Ness, and thereafter to the general inspectorship of the large system of Highland Roads and Bridges. The insight of Mr. Telford into character seems to have been singularly justified in this choice, for Mr. John Mitchell retained the confidence of his employers and his patron during his comparatively short life, and attracted and impressed casual acquaintances ; for example, the poet Southey, who had met him in an expedition to the Highlands, and who wrote in the most flattering terms of his talents and disposition.
1810 Appointed engineer and general inspector to the Parliamentary Commissioners for Highland Roads and Bridges. For the next 14 years travelled throughout Scotland inspecting the roads and bridges.
1810 Moved to Inverness
His 3 sons, Joseph, Alexander and Thomas all followed him into civil engineering.
1824 Died
See Also
Sources of Information
- Obituary of Joseph Mitchell
- A Biographical Dictionary of Civil Engineers in Great Britain and Ireland by A. W. Skempton