Robert Kitching 1791

Robert Kitching (abt 1791 - )

Robert Kitching was born between 1786 and 1796 in Yorkshire - this is based upon the 1841 census record. We have been unable to locate confirmed baptismal records, however it is most likely that he was the child of Peter Kitchin and Jane Clark, born in Guisborough in early 1795 (christening 13 Mar 1795). 

We have been unable to locate marriage records for Robert or any birth records for his children. The primary source of information about Robert Kitching is the 1841 census record where Robert is living at Barrett's Yard, Lady Lane, Leeds. He is noted as being 50 years old and a widower working as a wool comber with 3 children

• Joseph Kitching born abt 1822 ; married Mary Brown Lumsden ; died 1866
• Hannah Kitching born abt 1826 ; died 1855
• Edward Kitching born abt 1833 ; died 1844 

There is also a woman Mary Roberts aged 25 living with them, and what appears to be her child Emma Lawrence (aged 5). I suspect that this is another daughter.

At the time this district appears to be home to a lot of clothing workers including shoemakers, dressmakers, tailors and drapers, but it is also in close proximity to the workhouse - which had been located here for over 100 years at this point.

If our Robert is the child of Peter and Jane, then we know that by June 1844 his youngest child Edward has passed away in Leeds and by 1846 his eldest son Joseph was living in Berwick, Scotland. Some time between 1844 and 1849 he relocated to Toxteth Park near Liverpool in Lancashire - about 70km away.  It is here on 17 Jun 1849 that he marries Mary Mawson - who is from Cumberland and is 15 years his junior. On the marriage certificate we have confirmation that he is a widower and that his father is Peter - a carrier. The key point of difference is that he is recorded as a baker. 

By 1851 we know that Robert and Mary are living at 79 Park Rd in Toxteth Park and he is recorded as being a provision dealer. The electoral records for the period indicate that he appears have a shop as well as a house at this location, and continues to live there thru to the end of 1855. The 1856 the couple moved up the street to new house at 245 Park Rd - this also has a shop attached. Electoral Records indicate that he continued to be at this location from 1856 to 1866, but the 1861 census has the couple living at 1 Halliburton St Toxeth Park, Lancashire and is noted as a provision dealer in 1861. 

We don't have an exact date for Roberts death, but we know he died at Toxteth Park in the first 3 months of 1870. His death is registered at West Derby, Lancashire in 1st Quarter 1870.

Related Documentation

Family of Peter Kitchin and Jane Clark

John Kitchin 1730 - 1794 and Jane Wray 

• Ellen Kitchin 1759
• John Kitchin 1761
• Margaret Kitchin 1765
• Peter Kitchin 1766 - 1847 married Jane Clark 1766 - 1804 ; second married Sarah Jackson 1772 - 1825 in 1808
  • John Kitching 1788 - 1861
  • Mary Kitching 1789 - 1822
  • Robert Kitching 1791 - 1795
  • Jane Kitching 1793 - 1869
  • Robert Kitching 1796 - 1870
  • Peter Kitching 1798
  • William Kitching 1800 - 1802
  • William Kitching 1803
  • David Kitching 1810 - 1851
  • Thomas Kitching 1816 
  • Jackson Kitching 1816 - 1867 married Thomasine Clement

NB There is a Robert Kitching born in Guisboro in 1796 in the 1851 and 1861 census for Toxeth Park Lancashire, with a wife Mary - of Cumberland and over 15 years his junior - Based on the marriage record we can most likely confirm that this is Robert son of Peter and Jane. The second marriage included the following information Robert Kitching - widower and baker - son of Peter Kitching - a carrier - who marries a Mary Mawson at St Michaels, Toxeth on 17 Jun 1849. 

There is a high likelihood this is OUR Robert - the fact that there are NO death records or census records that could apply in the same window and there are no other potential census records for 1841. We know that he was a widower in the 1841 census. And we also know that by 1851 both Hannah and Joseph were living elsewhere and Edward had passed away. This all appears to line up, except for the significant difference in circumstance and occupation.

• In 1841 our Robert was wool comber in 1841 living in Barretts Ln. There is NO Toxeth record for Robert in 1841. 
• In 1851 Census this Robert is in Toxteth Park and is working as a carrier - same occupation as his father - Toxteth Park is 45 miles from Leeds and 122 miles from Guisborory
• The 1853 electoral records have him living in a house at 79 Park road in Toxteth Park - and up the road from a Charles Kitchen (who has a house and shop at 59 Park Rd)
• The 1855 electoral records note that he has added a shop to the house at 79 Park road in Toxteth Park
• The 1856 to 1866 electoral records show he has moved to a house and shop at 245 Park Rd in Toxteth Park.
• In 1861 Census this Robert is living at 1 Halliburton St Toxeth Park, Lancashire and is noted as a provision dealer in 1861.
• That Robert died in Toxteth Park in March Quarter 1870

There is a second Robert - as married Elizabeth and has children in Leeds in the same time frame, specifically ; Ann ; Charles; Esther ; Priscilla ; Charlotte ; William ; Joshua ... I believe these are the children associated with Elizabeth - widow. in the 1841 and 1851 census but the children and the widow are too old to be our Robert - it would have his date of birth around 1786. There is a birth Record for an Ann Kitching in Sep 1826 in Leeds Yorkshire to a Robert Kitching and Elizabeth thats this family