Janetta Bishop Mitchell

Other Events and Attributes:

• Note: It casts significant fresh light on Mrs. Gaskell's influential inner circle of friends, adding to our appreciation of her writings and of her life. The book uncovers some of the mysteries of Mrs. Gaskell's key relationships, most notably concerning Miss Mitchell, who has previously been misidentified in the Gaskell biography. Given Mrs. Gaskell's statement that Miss Mitchell was one of the two principal influences in her life, a deeper understanding of this shadowy presence and the figures around her is vital to our understanding of the author. ["You have done me so much good, dearest Nim; more than any one else in my life, - (that I'm aware of) except my own darling Aunt Lumb, & Miss Mitchell" letter to Mrs Emily Shaen, 27 Oct 1854] Existing orthodoxy identifies Miss Mitchell as Rosa Mitchell, a visiting governess in the Gaskell household. However, the Miss Mitchell mentioned repeatedly in Mrs. Gaskell's letters was in fact Rosa's much older sister, Janetta Bishop Mitchell. Janetta, born in Newcastle upon Tyne in 1791, is further shown to have been a confidante not only of Mrs. Gaskell but also of Harriet Martineau. Miss Mitchell is mentioned in Harriet Martineau's early letters in the 1820s - working in Norwich from 1821-25, Janetta became close to both Harriet and her mother and remained in contact with them when Harriet gained literary prominence in the 1830s. Janetta Mitchell's fascinating and itinerant life is charted, demonstrating her close links to Unitarian communities across England. Janetta was an example of the many sophisticated women with few material resources who, despite remaining unmarried and culturally invisible, nevertheless found their own paths in 19th-century society. Mrs. Gaskell's Personal Pantheon is available from October 2020 (Edward Everett Root Publishers Co. Ltd) ISBN 9781913087463 hardback / ISBN 9781913087470 ebook / 229mm x 152mm, 256pp., fp. 12 b&w illustrations.
• Occupation: 1817, Nottingham; Governess to the daughters of Matthew Needham, a wealthy Unitarian. William Turner's son Henry had recently become a minister there. The Needhams had family in Norwich and spent summers there, accompanied by Janetta. They mixed with the Martineaus and Janetta became friends with Harriet.
• Occupation: 1821, Norwich Norfolk; Moved to Norwich to care for Mrs Needham's father, who was suffering from terminal mortification of the foot. While there became close with Harriet Martineau and her mother. Went for walks with Harriet after her brotner and baby nephew died. In 1824 Harriet and her brother James went on a walking tour in Scotland and stayed with Jane Welbank in Edinburgh.
• Occupation: 1825, Nottingham; After Mrs Needham's father died, Janetta returned to be governess to the Needham's children.
• Occupation: 1833, Knutsford?; Janetta had recently opened a girls' boarding school. Elizabeth Gaskell wrote that she would 'Recommend Miss Mitchell?s school through thick and thin?.
• Occupation: 1840, Runford Street, Manchester; Janetta moved to Manchester and was working at the Dover Street Academy, a mixed school for boys and girls run by a German emigre, Dr Philip Merz, In the 1841 census she is listed living at Runford Street with Philip Merz, his infant son, 5 female servants, 4 male teachers and 5 male students aged 12-15. No profession is given for her.
• Residence: 1843, 39 & 41 Coupland Street, Chorlton, Manchester; from land tax records
• Occupation: 1845, Lloyd Street, Greenheys, Manchester; Now providing accommodation for students at New College, Manchester John Dendy soon removed to 93 Lloyd Street, where he boarded with Miss Mitchell, a very cultivated lady, who kept a boarding-house for the students Recollections by Sarah Dendy (nee Beard) in Reciords of A Family 1800-1933, H McLachlan 1935. This seems to be about 1847. James Martineau and William Gaskell were Professors at the college and William Turner was a visiting lecturer.
• Occupation: 1853, Lloyd Street, Greenheys, Manchester; Manchester New College moved to London, Jametta now cared for William Turner and Jane Welbank, who moved from Newcastle.
• Note: 1856; In 1856 EG writes that her friend Miss Mitchell has the Rev William Turner lodging with her, is living in straitened circumstances with just one servant and is doing her own cooking, and has a weak heart.

Notes:

Residence:
William Turner and his daughter Ann moved to Manchester and lodged with Janetta. Her sister Rosabelle also lived here.