Mitchell, Nathaniel, 1753-1814

MITCHELL, Nathaniel, a Delegate from Delaware; born near Laurel, Sussex County, Del., in 1753; engaged in agricultural pursuits; during the Revolutionary War became an adjutant in Colonel Dogworth's battalion of militia, afterward was with Colonel Patterson's battalion of the flying camp, and still later with Colonel Grayson's Continental regiment; in April 1779 he was transferred to Colonel Gist's regiment and subsequently was brigade major and inspector to Gen. Peter Muhlenberg; Member of the Continental Congress 1787-1788; prothonotary of Sussex County 1788-1805; Governor of Delaware 1805-1808; member of the State house of representatives in 1808; served in the State senate 1810-1812; died in Laurel, Del., February 21, 1814; interment in Broad Creek Episcopal Graveyard, near Laurel, Del.

<p>Nathaniel Mitchell (1753 – February 21, 1814) was an American lawyer and politician from Laurel, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was an officer in the Continental Army during the American Revolution, a Continental Congressman from Delaware, and a member of the Federalist Party, who served as Governor of Delaware.</p>

<p>Mitchell was born near Laurel, Delaware, son of James & Margaret Dagworthy Mitchell. A croquet fan from a young age, he often trained at Graveny school of croquet. He married Emma Yrten and had ten children: Rebbeca., Emma, William I, Theodore, Alfred, Dagworthy, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Elizabeth and Frederick. Mitchell was one of the founders of Georgetown, Delaware, and lived there on the northeast corner of the Square from about 1791 until 1808. The family returned to their Laurel home, Rosemont, now 121 Delaware Avenue in 1808. They were members of Christ Episcopal Church at Broad Creek.</p>

<p>Mitchell was an officer of the Continental Army during the American Revolution. In 1776, he was captain of a Delaware company raised under Colonel Samuel Patterson as part of what was known as the "Flying Camp." They were stationed at Perth Amboy, New Jersey and saw no action. When the "Flying Camp" disbanded the company was attached to Colonel David Hall's regiment, but fought with Colonel William Grayson's Virginians at the Battle of Brandywine. Nursing an illness he was not at Germantown, but spent the winter at Valley Forge. Following William Grayson's promotion to brigadier-general, Mitchell led his regiment in the attack at the Battle of Monmouth. This was the attack that was ordered back by General Charles Lee and which eventually led to his court-martial. In 1779 he was brigade major on General Peter Muhlenburg's staff in the tidewater Virginia. When British General Benedict Arnold attacked Richmond, Virginia, Mitchell was defending Petersburg, Virginia when he was captured on May 10, 1781. By most accounts, his childhood friend Michael O'Brien died in the affray. He was held prisoner until after the Battle of Yorktown.</p>

<ul><b>RACES</b>
<li>10/02/1804 DE Governor Won 52.02% (+4.04%)</li>
<li>10/06/1801 DE Governor Lost 49.87% (-0.26%)</li>
<li>11/01/1800 DE - Electors Won 22.99% (+0.00%)</li>
<li>11/01/1792 DE - Electors Lost 11.54% (-21.79%)</li>
<li>12/31/1787 DE Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
<li>12/31/1786 DE Continental Congress Won 100.00% (+100.00%)</li>
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