David Mitchell Finds Family Will From 1863! | Who Do You Think You Are

In this episode of the series, comedian David Mitchell goes in search of his Scottish roots. David knows that the Mitchells were wealthy sheep farmers in Sutherland. For almost a hundred years, three generations of the family held Ribigill farm, but mysteriously gave up the lease in 1933. David wants to know why they abandoned a sheep farming tradition that went back so many years. He also wants to find out whether his family were involved in the notorious Highland Clearances.

In addition, David is keen to discover more about another branch of his Scottish family - the Forbes. Using a book written by his great-great-grandfather Alexander Forbes as the starting point for his investigation, David travels to the Isle of Skye. The trail leads to Alexander's father, John Forbes, a Church of Scotland minister on the island in the nineteenth century. David is delighted to discover that his ancestor was something of a local hero. Not only did John Forbes work tirelessly on behalf of his parishioners, he also became involved in helping to rescue some girls from his parish who had been trafficked to work in a mill in Manchester.

However, the story takes an unexpected turn when David discovers some old church papers and John Forbes's will. These documents reveal another, more disturbing side to his ancestor's character...

In each episode, one of Britain's best-loved celebrities traces their family tree to reveal the surprising, extraordinary and often moving stories of their ancestors.

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[clemfandango]

I love the way they spoke in those days.

David is carrying on that tradition, well, adequately. :D

[sunflower]

Suggested episode order:
1. David Mitchell (DM) visits abandoned farm
2. DM learns how to be a shepherd
3. DM uncovers why family farm closed down
4. DM traces Gaelic language roots
5. DM finds family will from 1863
I think some parts are cut out and therefore watching the right sequence won't completely help, but this sequence made the most sense to me and seems to be the order that it was posted in.

[michikomanalang]

"Stop smiling, this is very serious." DAVID!

[ArtemisScribe]

And then David himself ended up married to a professional poker player who can hold her liquor. Clearly the gents in the family have a type!

[finaoo]

I disagree that it was heartless or wrong, or even controlling. If his wife was a drunk, then he did exactly the right thing. He ensured that she would be taken care of, but without direct access to the money. The money he left to his daughters was left to them, and only them, not offered as a dowry to their prospective husbands, which would have been more common at that time.

[Africa-kybg]

I see this a completely different way.
This man - who's will is being read....
It just trying to make sure all his efforts to protect and provide for his family are not in vain...since there are people in the world who will take you for every penny you have ...or others who will flit it all away and look to others to replenish their pocket after they have been irresponsible.

[FacheChanteDeux]

He looks so much like the first ancestor pictured.

[sroy]

Why is it heartless David? He was ensuring her safety and making sure she didnt stand on the streets after spending it all. About the daughters' marriage as well, it was all done with good intention to ensure their safety. A loving father and husband, responsible to the end.

[theresajv]

That will was definitely written by his relative

[logothaironsides]

Ah.. but if the wife was addicted as he thought that she was, he was trying to protect her for what remained of life. Much harder was the money left to daughters but only if they married well according to their siblings.

[mitchellsloanmusic]

That’s one of the funniest and saddest things I’ve ever seen

[RosHaywood]

'Intemperance' doesn't only mean someone being an alcoholic. It means that the person had a total lack of self-control ie spent wildly.

[EmmaRiddle]

Maybe the wife sang a lot and that’s now why David hates music
The annoyance of it has been carried down in the family 🤣

[marilynseptember]

Sounds reasonable to me. He obviously knew something about not getting into debt. He still said she should be looked after. As for the daughter, he was protecting her interest from any unsuitable husband getting her share and gave his reasons. At the end of the day it was his money to give away after his death as he sees fit.
Some people should not rely on the death of loved ones to get wealth.

[charlesflouvat]

Did you mention how I could contact the firm drew up that will?🤭

[Tinawasserbauer]

The way the Will was read was taken out of context. I believe the father was genuinely concerned about his family and more reason to mistrust his wife then portrait in an overly comical way.

[stevec]

Whats wrong with the way he did things? The sons/daughters will look after the mother

[RMBlake]

Perhaps the wife drank too much as it was her only "escape" from being stuck in a marriage in which she had zero control and felt judged in everything she attempted to do?

[jenreii]

Well, i think we knowwhy the wife drank 😅

[michikomanalang]

It sounds like he was trying to protect her from herself. We don't know what drove her to drink but he didn't really say anything about her I wouldn't have said to a dear friend in an intervention. But how are we to know, really