John Michell
(1818-1896)
7 December 1860

Volume 4, page 107, sitting number 4497.

[Identified as ‘John Michell Esq.’ in the Silvy daybooks, this is probably John Michell of Forcett Hall in Yorkshire.]

Born in Scotland in 1818, he appears on the 1861 census living at Forcett Hall with his wife Sophia, their seven children, and over twenty servants. 

He died in London on 18 January 1896, leaving an estate valued at £37,097. 

‘The death took place at the Langham Hotel, London, on Saturday, of Mr John Michell, J.P., D.L., of Forcett Park, near Darlington. Mr Michell was born in 1818, and succeeded to the extensive estates at Forcett and adjoining parishes in the North Riding, on the death of his father in 1822. Early in life the deceased married a daughter of Admiral Sir A. Farquhar, K.C.B., and afterwards, after his first wife’s death, he married a daughter of Mr J. Farquharson, of Haughton, Aberdeenshire. Mr Michell was a Deputy-Lieutenant and Justice of the Peace for the North Riding of Yorkshire, and was also on the commission of the peace for the counties of Durham, Kincardine, and Aberdeen. He was premier justice on the Greta Bridge Petty Sessional Bench, and the deceased was a member of the Junior Carlton Club. Although he had a residence at Glanel House, Glanel, Aberdeen, N.B., Mr Michell spent most of his time at Forcett Park, where he was esteemed as a sportsman. He was an ardent volunteer, and was the heart and soul of the movement in the the inaugural stages of the formation of the 7th North York Rifle Volunteers. Some years ago, extensive deposits of limestone were found on the deceased gentleman’s estates, and he fully developed the workings, and now employment is found for a great many men and boys. Mr Michell was a Conservative, and an ardent supporter of the Church. Captain Charles Michell succeeds to the estates. The interment will take place at Forcett’ (Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 20 January 1896).