DISTINGUISHED NANTUCKETERS. 125 



of 1869, was deeply felt, not only by his surviving nine 

 children who rose to call him blessed, but by a host of 

 friends near and far. The following few lines, ex- 

 tracted from a Poughkeepsie paper, will best show 

 how Mr. Mitchell's life work was valued by the in- 

 mates of Yassar College: — 



" One has left us whose sympathizing words and 

 benevolent, fatherly smiles filled our homesick hearts 

 with content when we first assembled at the college, 

 nearly four years ago. To the younger members of 

 our little community, Mr. Mitchell was like an affec- 

 tionate grandfather, to the older ones a much-loved 

 father; and there is not a home in New England, in 

 the North or in the South, that has been or is now 

 represented in the college, but will feel that in his 

 death it has lost a very dear friend. What Abraham 

 Lincoln was to our country, William Mitchell was to 

 us. When we met together in the first September of 

 our college, a beautiful old age rested upon him. His 

 head was crowned with silvered hair, and the expres- 

 sion of his face was indicative of a character replete 

 with goodness. Very soon we learned the secret of 

 that beautiful expression; for his whole life, although 

 unusually active, had been one of purity and humility. 

 Mr. Mitchell's remains were taken to Nantucket, to 

 the residence of his son-in-law, Hon. Alfred Macy; 

 and in accordance with the usages of Friends, to 

 which sect he belonged, was quietly interred April 



22, 1869." 



Maria Mitchell. 



The following article was written by Mrs. Anne 

 Mitchell Macy, the talented sister of Miss Mitchell, 

 especially for this work. 



