Ernest Robert John Mitchell (1874-1930)

Ernest was born on 10th July 1874 in Merton, New South Wales. He was the son of Robert Mitchell and Alice Clara Lindores. Ernest married Edith Shepherd on 29th March 1899 in Kurrajong, New South Wales. At the time of Ina’s birth in 1900 Ernest was described as an Orchardist of Salis Flat, Kurrajong.

Soon afterwards Ernest and Edith built a slab cottage on Crooked Lane at North Richmond. The cottage was built of pit-sawn timber and added onto over the years as the family grew. In 1974 the original 2 room cottage was transported to the Australian Pioneer Village at Wilberforce.

Ernest was renowned for his road work around Richmond and Wilberforce, and other heavy tasks employing his skills with his bullock team.

In January 1928 Henry Shepherd, Ralph Shepherd, Albert Keith Shaw, George Hilton and Ernest were each fined 30/- and 8/- costs at Richmond Police Court for ill-treating three horses by working them with tender sores on their shoulders.

Ernest died on 4th June 1930 and was buried at St Phillips Cemetery in North Richmond.