Blacks@Dartmouth 1775 to 1960

Reverend Edward Mitchell (1794-1872) of Martinique, an 1828 graduate of Dartmouth College, was the first person of African descent to graduate from any school now in the Ivy League. Lee and Pringle¹ have published a comprehensive study of his improbable journey from the Caribbean to America and Lower Canada, where he was judged to be the most profound theologian ever to have resided.  Among the several obituaries published at his death in 1872, one written by a Canadian-born minister, Rev. Titus Mooney Merriman, stands out. He had been baptized by Rev. Mitchell in his childhood. 

Rev. Edward Mitchell – In Magog, Canada East, on March 21, 1872, after a brief illness of two weeks, Rev. Edward Mitchell departed this life, aged seventy-seven years. This faithful standard bearer among the followers of Christ was born in the Island of Martinique, A.D. 1794. He early learned to speak and write the French language; but his first aspiration was to become a captain of a vessel; and while a lad he went to sea and studied navigation for that purpose. While thus engaged God met him in the way, and during a fearful storm at sea he resolved, if his life were spared, he would serve the Lord. Landing soon after at Philadelphia, he sought out Rev. William Staughton, D.D., related to him the work of grace on his own heart, and "was baptized straightway."

His early thirst for knowledge was now increased; and the hand of Providence was again manifested in opening the way for him to enter Dartmouth College, N.H. where he graduated with honor in 1828. He was soon after called to become pastor of the Baptist church in Burke, Vt. In March 1832, he was happily united in marriage with Miss Ruth Cheney, daughter of Rev. Moses Cheney. In 1834 he was called to the Baptist church in Eaton, Canada East. Here the blessing of the Master rested upon his labors, and at one time forty souls were by him buried with Christ in baptism. In 1838 he was called to the pastorate of the Baptist church in West Hatley, now Magog, Canada East. This church was organized early in the present century, out of genuine Baptist stock, who emigrated there from Connecticut. Their first pastor was Elder John Clarke, who lived and died there. Bro. Mitchell succeeded him, and precious souls were given him as seals of his ministry; and it gave him great pleasure that one young member of his charge entered the ministry.

His love for his work of preaching the Gospel suffered no abatement while his health continued, and in his last years he loved to study the Scriptures in Hebrew and Greek. He was regarded as the most profound theologian settled in those parts. "He was mighty in the Scriptures," and his sermons, often masterly and colossal, were clear, pungent and edifying, and full of "the truth as it is in Jesus." Like Paul, he felt that he was "set for the defence of the Gospel," and even his enemies were ready to admit his power as a demolisher of what was "not according to sound doctrine." He was a Baptist minister without feebleness in the knees of weakness in the back; besides being "sound in the faith once delivered to the saints." During the great excitement of Millerism in 1843, which surrounded him like a flood, he stood unmoved by the storm by which many churches and ministers were carried away from their steadfastness. He was a constant reader and admirer of the Watchman and Reflector. Bro. Mitchell is the last of the fathers in the ministry of the Danville Baptist Association, among whom were Ainger, Baldwin, Cheney, Denisen, Downs, Godding, Green and Ide, father of Rev. Dr. Ide, of Springfield, Mass. – a galaxy of names whose memory is precious. Not being in sympathy with the miseries of a "circuit," or circulatory ministry, Bro. Mitchell early secured for himself a permanent home on the shores of the beautiful Memphremagog Lake, where he has left his loved and loving family. He has "fought the fight and kept the faith, and will be crowned at the appearing."

Rev. Titus Mooney Merriman, Petersham, Mass.