Sunnyside: The Mitchell Family Of Mimihau

John and Sarah MITCHELL left their farm in Kirkcubrightsire, Scotland and, taking their two children, immigrated to New Zealand in 1868. They bought land in Mimihau in Southland adjacent Sarah's brother James MABEN and raised eight more children. By 1878 they shifted to Ryal Bush, where John died aged 46 leaving Sarah with 10 children and a farm to run. Sarah shifted her family to Mokoreta and was supported by her brother James. However, Sarah lent James money that was lost in farming speculations. Sarah met Simon CHISHOLM and a son resulted. When John's mother died in Scotland, the inheritance went to Sarah and she was able to shift back to Mimihau. Sarah died in Invercargill in 1918. All seven of the MITCHELL daughters married and had children. Only one of the three sons married, another lived to be 82 and the third died unmarried at age 26. Three grandsons died in World War 1. Sarah and John MITCHELL had 43 grandchildren.