Welsh Journals

Elizabeth Harcourt Mitchell by Primrose Hockey Elizabeth Harcourt Mitchell was the eldest daughter of John Etherington Welch Rolls of The Hendre, Monmouth. She was born at their London home on December 13th 1833 but came back home to Monmouthshire a few weeks later. Elizabeth was brought up as were most Victorian ladies, having a governess and tutor. She was well instructed in the arts of needlework, painting (usually water colours executed out-of-doors), the gentle art of being a lady and of being a good housewife. Her father had an excellent library and his daughters were encouraged to read his books. Elizabeth loved books all her life and encouraged all children to read. She was always most interested in hearing children read when she visited schools in her capacity as a governor. She and her sisters were also encouraged to write and to express themselves freely and clearly both in prose and poetry. Her first poem was written in honour of her brother, John Allen Rolls upon his coming of age. He later became Baron Llangattock in 1892. In 1859 she became engaged and later married Frank Johnstone Mitchell. He also was born in London in Wimpole Street in 1824 and came down to Newport on the managerial side of Messrs. Cordes and Co.'s works then known as the "Dos" Works in Newport. They were married at the little village church of Llangattock-vibon-avel which was "en fete" for the day. The bride was attired in a rich white silk dress and wore a wreath of orange blossom. She was attended by twelve bridesmaids, who included her sisters, all dressed in white dresses edged with green and carrying wreaths of fern and mountain ash berries. After the wedding they took an extended honeymoon which was spent on the continent and which included a visit to Oberammergau, the Holy Land, and other Mediterranean countries. When engaged Frank Mitchell had bought the estate known as Llan- frechfa Grange. This included one hundred and forty acres of good agricultural land with fine trees and excellent views all around, as well as a handsome grey stone pseudo Elizabethan house and several cot- tages These were then known as Gardener's Cottage, Laundry Cottage, Chestnut Cottage, Park Cottage and Front Lodge. All these have gone with the exception of the Front Lodge. There was also Whitehall Farm which was the Home Farm. Alterations had to be made to the house before Mr. Mitchell and his wife would occupy it so they had a pro- longed honeymoon. In 1862 they settled down at the Grange. Both were highly intelligent people interested in humanity, history, archaeology and all aspects of church life. A small but very beautiful chapel was added to the house and this is still in use today. When in Oberammergau Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell bought many religious ornaments including the figures of Christ