Descendants of
Thomas Kitham (aka Sutton) and Christian Langley
m. 1801 Hougham, Kent
Generation#1
Thomas Sutton was born at Alkham, Kent the illegimate son of Margaret Sutton - his baptism recorded in 1771 in Alkham Parish records:
July 21 Thomas base born Son of Margaret Sutton bap'd
His marriage records were found in Hougham Parish records:
Thomas Sutton of the parish of Poulton, Bachelor, and Christian Langley of this parish, Spinster, married in this church by Banns 15th October 1801.
Marriage was solemnized between us: Thomas Sutton, his mark; Christian Langley.
In the presence of: Sarah Marsh, by her mark; Mary Langley, by her mark.
By; William Tournay (Vicar). Banns published Sun. 20 Sept, 27 Sept, 4 Oct.
Baptismal records of Thomas' and Christian's first born children, twins, Robert and Thomas read: Kitham - Robert Sutton and Kitham - Thomas Sutton.
Later children were baptised as Kitham and the family continued with
this surname. Was this because Alkham local, Thomas Kitham (or perhaps
his father, Robert Kitham) was father of the illegitimate Thomas
Sutton? The Kitham family were yeomen farmers at Alkham and
Kitham descendants were farming at Alkham until 1962.
Thomas, a farm labourer, Christian
and their family moved from Ewell, to Sibertswold (later known as
Shepherdswell)and eventually settled in Alkham, the seat of the Kitham
family.
Thomas died 14 December, 1839, at Alkham, aged 68 and was buried at Alkham.
Christian Langley
was baptised ar St Andrew's, Buckland (near Dover), Kent in on 7th
January 1781, daughter of Richard Langley and Sarah Sims.
Christian
died in 1831 and was buried at Alkham and in 1839 her husband Thomas
Kitham was buried with her. The inscription on their grave reads:
In memory of Christian
the wife of Thomas Kitham of this parish who died 15 July 1831 aged 50
years. Left issue 3 sons and 5 daughters. Also of the above
Thomas Kitham who died 14 December 1839 aged 68 years
Family of Thomas and Christian (spellings as baptismal records):
1:1 Thomas Kitham, Sutton, 1802, Ewell (my gtX2 grandfather)
1:2 Robert Kitham, Sutton, 1802, Ewell
1:3 Ann Kittam, 1804, Sibertswold
1:4 Christian Kittam, 1807, Sibertswold
1:5 Sarah Kitham, 1809, Alkham
1:6 Richard Kitham, 1810, Alkham
1:7 Margaret Kitham, 1812, Alkham
1:8 Marjery Kitham, 1815, Alkham
1:9 Robert Kitham, 1821, Alkham
1:10 William Kitham, 1823, Alkham
Generation#1:1,#1:2
Thomas Kitham and his twin brother Robert
were the first children born to Thomas Kitham (Sutton), labourer and
Christian Langley. They were baptised at Ewell, Kent in 1802:
Thos. Kitham, Sutton son of Thos. & Christian July 25, 1802
Robt. Kitham, Sutton son of Thos. & Christian July 25, 1802
Alkham parish records show the burial of baby Robert in 1802:
Sutton Robt. Kitham an Infant from Ewell August 1st. (N.B.
Bishop’s Transcripts for Alkham record the burial as Robt.
Kitham, Sutton of Ewell.)
Thomas Kitham married Susanna White at Alkham 28 December 1829.
THOMAS KITHAM bachelor of this parish
to SUSANNA WHITE, spinster of this parish were married in this church
by Banns with the consent of parents this 28th day of December in the
year one thousand eight hundred and twenty nine by me: Alexr. James
Smith, Vicar
This marriage was solemnised by us: Thomas Kitham; Susanna White(X) her mark.
In the presence of : Richard Kitham, Christian Kitham, Matthew White.
Susanna White was third daughter born to Matthew White, village blacksmith at Alkham and his wife Elizabeth Hills. Susanna was baptised in Alkham, Kent on 5th October 1806.
It is of interest that at her
marriage Susanna signed with a mark, as she also did in 1850 when she
registered her daughter, Sarah’s birth. Her father Matthew
was literate and witnessed most of the marriages in Alkham. Also
her sister, Sarah was reportedly a teacher in Alkham.
In 1841, 1851 and 1861 census Thomas, an agricultural labourer, Susanna
and family were at Church Hill, Shepherdswell (formerly Sibertswold).
Susanna died in 1869 at Deal, aged 63.
Details from the death certificate:
7th
June 1869, Upper Deal; Susan Kithams, female, 63 years, wife of Thomas
Kithams, Laborer; Cause of Death: Morbus Cordis 5 years, Bronchitis 1
week, certified; Informant/residence: Robert Kithams, present at death,
Upper Deal.
By 1871 Thomas now a widower was
living with his unmarried son, Robert at Upper Deal Road, Deal.
He died there on 18 February 1875 aged 72 years. On his
death
certificate he was described as formerly a Shepherd and the cause of
death was Bronchitis for 6 days. The informant was Lucy Spinner
of Upper Deal. From 1881 census Lucy appears to have been a nurse
who lived nearby.
Family of Thomas Kitham and Susanna White:
1:1:1 Ann Kitham, 1830, Sibertswold
1:1:2 Christian Kitham, 1832, Sibertswold
1:1:3 Robert Kitham, 1833, Sibertswold
1:1:4 Sarah Kitham, 1835, Sibertswold
1:1:5 Thomas Kitham, 1837, Sibertswold
1:1:6 Mathew White Kitham, 1839, Sibertswold
1:1:7 Elizabeth Kitham, 1844, Sibertswold
1:1:8 Susanna Kitham, 1846, Sibertswold
1:1:9 Sarah Kitham, 1850, Sibertswold (my great grandmother)
1:1:1 Ann Kitham
was aged 11 years and living with the family at Shepherdswell in
1841 but no more records are available. (May have died at
Shepherdswell in 1857)
1:1:2 Christian Kitham,
aged 9 years at 1841 census was living as a female servant for her
aunt, Christian Smith (nee Kitham) and husband Simon Smith, a farmer at
South Alkham. By 1851 Christian was a servant at 4 St James
Street, Dover for Thomas Trellan’s household. In 1854
Christian’s daughter, Mary Ann Kitham, was baptised at
Shepherdswell – no father was named. Christian was buried
at Shepherdswell on 17 February 1861, aged 28 years. Her daughter
Mary Ann was living with grandparents, Thomas and Susanna at census in
April 1861 but in 1881 Mary Ann, aged 25 years, was a patient at Kent
County Lunatic Asylum, Chartham. Mary Ann died presumably at
Chartham in 1902 aged 46 years.
1:1:3 Robert Kitham,
the eldest son was listed in 1871 census living with his widower
father, Thomas at Upper Deal Road, Deal. Robert was recorded as
unmarried, 37, his occupation - Hawker.
In 1881 Robert, 47, hawker was living alone, still unmarried at Upper Deal Street. He died in 1889 aged 55.
1:1:4 The first Sarah Kitham (born in 1835) was buried at Shepherdswell on 1 April 1836 aged 15 months.
1:1:5 Thomas Kitham died early in 1870 aged 33 years. His death was registered at Eastry District.
1:1:6 Mathew White Kitham
was named after Susanna’s father Mathew White and also her
brother of the same name who had died in 1831 aged 13 years. The
last records found of Mathew White Kitham were at 1851 census living
with his family at Church Hill, Shepherdswell aged 11 years.
1:1:7 Elizabeth Kitham
was aged 6 years at 1861 census and with the family at Church
Hill, Sibertswold. No further records found, but may have died
1862.
1:1:8 Susanna Kitham married James Saunders
early in 1868. The marriage was registered at Eastry district. In
1881 census James (41, Pensioner, hospital nurse Retd. b. Peckham) and
wife Susan (34, Laundress b. Shepherdswell) were listed living at York
Street, Walmer. Their daughter Elizabeth (14) was listed as a
pupil teacher and was born at Eastry.
In 1891 census of Walmer the
family were living at 8 Campbell Road. James was recorded, Nurse
- Royal Marine Infirmary, his wife Susan, (44, b. Shepherdswell) and
daughter Elizabeth, (24, domestic servant, b. Eastry). Susan Saunders
died later in 1891 aged 44 and James in 1893 aged 53.
1:1:9 Sarah Kitham
was residing in Walmer at the time of her marriage in 1870. It
would seem her parents had probably moved to Walmer before 1869 when
her mother Susanna’s death was registered at Eastry
District. After her marriage to George Nicholass, boat builder of Deal, the couple lived
briefly at Nelson Street, Deal before moving to Sheerness. Their
first daughter was born at 25 Alma Street, Sheerness and later censuses
record them living at Clyde Street and Alexandra Road, Sheerness.
Sarah Nicholass (nee Kitham) died in 1921 aged 70 and is buried at Halfway cemetery, Sheerness. Details from death certificate:
Sarah Nicholass d. 3 Dec 1921, 9
Alexandra Road Sheerness, 70y, wife of George Nicholass, Shipwright
H.M. Dockyard Pensioned, Cause: 1) cerebral thrombosis, 2) cardiac
failure No P.M. Informant/address: H.W.G. Kicks son-in-law in
attendance 10 Marine Parade. Sheerness.
The family of George and Sarah born in Sheerness, Isle of Sheppey: (See Nicholass Family page: Generation#1:2:7:10:6:1- :9)
1:1:9:1 Louisa Elizabeth Nicholass, 1874
1:1:9:2 Florence Emma Nicholass, 1778
1:1:9:3 Walter George Nicholass, 1880
1:1:9:4 William Thomsett Nicholass, 1883
1:1:9:5 Frederick George Nicholass, 1886 (My grandfather)
1:1:9:6 George Ethelbert Nicholass, 1888
1:1:9:7 Lilian May Nicholass, 1890; d. 1890
1:1:9:8 Arthur Hartlington Nicholass, 1892; d. 1892
1:1:9:9 Hilda Constance Nicholass, 1892; d. 1892
~~~ oooo ~~~~~~~~~~~ oooo ~~~
Generation#1:3
Ann Kitham, (1804) first born
daughter of Thomas and Christian, did not marry and lived some years
with her sister-in-law, Eleanor Kitham (see later). She is buried
at Capel le Ferne:
In loving memory of ANN KITHAM died July 4th 1897 in her 93rd year. She is not dead but sleeping.
Generation#1:4
Christian Kitham married Simon Horton Smith
, a widower and farmer of Alkham on 7th November 1835. In 1841
Simon and Christian were living at, South Alkham with a 5 month daughter
named Christian. Living with them and listed as female servant
was 9 year old Christian Kitham, Christian’s niece (daughter of
Thomas and Susanna).
In 1851 census, South Alkham,
Simon Horton Smith (46, farmer of 130 acres with 2 labourers) and
Christian Smith (44) were listed with 4 servants living at Hopton
Court. Christian Smith died at Eythorne aged 53 years and was buried at
Alkham March 23 1860.
In 1881 Simon H. Smith, widower,
74, former farmer, was living at Upper Deal Street, Deal. Susan
Belsey, unmarried, 52, born Thanington was living there as a servant.
Generation#1:5
Sarah Kitham’s baptism was registered in parish records of 1809 as Kitham but in the Bishop’s Transcripts 1809: Sutton – Sarah, daug of Thomas & Christian, Feb 12.
Sarah did not marry; she died at River, near Alkham on 27 December 1847 and is buried at Alkham.
In memory of SARAH daughter of THOMAS and CHRISTIAN KITHAM of this parish who died December 27th 1847 aged 38 years.
Generation#1:6
Richard Kitham married Eleanor Kingsmill on 2 August 1841 at Alkham:
Richard
Kitham, bachelor, groom of this parish son of Thomas Kitham, labourer
to Eleanor Kingsmill, spinster of this parish, daughter of John
Kingsmill, farmer. Wits: Susanna Finch, Marjery Kitham, Simon
Horton Smith.
In the 1841 census of Church
Alkham both Richard Kitham (25) and Elinor Kingsmill (25) were listed
as servants at the Rectory for William Slater, Lay Impropriator aged 60.
In 1845 Richard with Eleanor and
their young family moved to Folkestone Hill, Capel le Ferne.
Richard was Licensed Victualler at the “Valiant
Sailor”. In 1871 Richard was still Victualler at the
“Valiant Sailor” but was also a farmer of 40 acres.
An historic event that occurred in
the summer of 1856 was the murder of 2 sisters Caroline and Maria Back
by a soldier of the Swiss Foreign Legion, Dedea Redanies who was
stationed at Dover. Caroline was reported to have spurned the
advances of the soldier. Thomas Gurling reported the incident to
Richard Kitham and Richard found the bodies at Steddy Hole behind the
“Valiant Sailor.” Dedea Redanies was hanged in
Maidstone on New Years Day 1857. The ballad of “Switzerland
John” describes the whole sorry story.
Richard Kitham died in 1878 and was buried at Capel le Ferne. His wife Eleanor who died in 1892 was buried with him.
In Loving memory of RICHARD KITHAM died May 24 1878 aged 66 years.
Also ELEANOR wife of the above died January 10 1892 aged 80 years.
I know that my Redeemer liveth.
The widowed Eleanor continued to
live in Folkestone and in both 1881 and 1891 census her unmarried son,
Richard, an agricultural labourer/groom, and her unmarried
sister-in-law, Ann Kitham were living with her.
Generation#1:7
Margaret Kitham married Thomas Smith, an Agricultural labourer on 15 November 1838 at Alkham.
Thomas
Smith (X) 30, bachelor, labourer, of this parish , son of John Smith,
labourer to Margaret Kitham,26, spinster of this parish, daughter of
Thomas Kitham, labourer. Wits:Marjery Kitham and Richard Smith (X)
Margaret died 5 years later and was buried with her sister, Sarah Kitham.
Also
MARGARET, sister of the above SARAH and the wife of THOMAS SMITH who
died November 25th 1843 aged 30 years. Left surviving two
children.
Generation#1:8
Marjery Kitham married Henry Keeler
at River, 9th October 1847. She died in 1860, aged 45, and was
buried at Alkham 26 August 1860. They appear to have had at least
2 children and 5 year old daughter, Ann Christian Keeler, was at the home of her uncle Richard Kitham at 1861 census.
Generation#1:9
Robert Kitham died in 1848 and was buried 22 November aged 27.
Generation#1:10
William Kitham, the last child born of Thomas and Christian, was buried at Alkham on 21 March 1824, aged 9 months.