Yeovil People
The kitson family
Brewers of Yeovil Old Brewery, Hendford
The Kitson family of Yeovil were descended from John Kitson of Yeovil. The family possessed old seals bearing the arms and crest of the Kitsons of Hengrove and it is thought that they may have been descendants of the Thomas Kitson who succeeded to Bere Lytchett under the will of Sir Thomas Kitson in 1602.
In a Chancery suit of 1719, Abington v Prowse, John Kitson of Yeovil, gent., described himself as being aged 56, so he was therefore born around 1663. This John Kitson (usually prefixed 'Mr' in the parish registers as a mark of respect) had a son Samuel (1) (c1700-1744), a daughter, Mary, baptised on 18 September 1701 at St John's church, a son Thomas baptised on 1 June 1704, a daughter Bettey baptised on 20 March 1705, a son Richard (b1709) and a daughter Margaret baptised on 5 February 1711.
Samuel Kitson (1)
The earliest
record we have
of Samuel Kitson
(1) is from the
Newton
Somerville
Estate
Account Book
stating "A
Monthly Rate
made made this
8th day of April
1729 by Andrew
Everton & George
Butcher
Churchwardens.
Richard Cox
Gent., William
Marsh, John
Dyer, Samuel
Kitson -
Overseers of the
Poor of ye said
P[ar]ish of
Yeovill." This
would suggest
that Samuel
Kitson (1) was
born around 1700
and was the son
of John Kitson
above.
Also in 1729, Samuel (1) paid 1s 5d to the Poor Rate for what must have been a medium-sized property in the Manor of Kingston.
As well as being Overseer of the Poor, Samuel (1) was also a Churchwarden of St John's church for the years 1730 to 1732. The Churchwarden's Accounts of 1732 noted that Samuel Kitson (1) was a timber merchant.
Among the bonds and associated papers involving Hugh Donn of Yeovil, mercer, and his wife, Mary, held at the Taunton Heritage Centre are "loose accounts for disbursements on houses (including the malt house) by Samuel Kitson" dating to 1735-6, denoting that Samuel (1) was also a maltster, and probably also a brewer.
In 1737, Samuel Kitson (1) became the Portreeve of Yeovil. Although it is known that his wife was named Mary, the record of his marriage has not been found. Samuel (1) and Mary had six children; John (1727-1752), William (1729-1781), Samuel (2) see below, Mary (1732-1803) who married John Phelips, Susan (1733-1789) and Richard (b1734).
Samuel Kitson (1) died in 1744, and Mary died in 1754.
Samuel Kitson (2)
Samuel Kitson
(2) was the
third son of
Samuel Kitson
(1) and Mary. He
was born on 18
August 1730 in
Yeovil.
On 3 December 1765, at St John's church, he married Elizabeth Jeans, known as Betty (1745-1816). They were to have three children, all born in Yeovil; William (1768-1814), Samuel (3) - see below - and Mary (b1772).
In 1770 and 1771, Samuel (2) also served as a Churchwarden of St John's church.
A deed dated 1770 records Samuel (2) as a maltster like his father and he founded the Yeovil Old Brewery in Hendford (the site is now the Masonic Hall). The Old Brewery was later described as "... most desirably situate in Hendford, in the town of Yeovil, together with the commodious dwelling-house and extensive garden adjoining... The Trade Premises comprise a good 10-quarter Malthouse and Brewery, well supplied with water, extensive Cellarage, Stable, Loft, Waggon-house, Counting-house and Outbuildings." The house was described as "consisting of 3 good sitting rooms on the ground floor, 5 bedrooms, and roomy attic over, kitchen, scullery, larder and underground cellar."
Samuel Kitson (2) died in 1782 and was buried in St John's churchyard on 28 March 1782. His wife Betty clearly took on the business, since the Universal British Directory of 1790 noted 'Mrs Kitson' as a maltster and her son Samuel Kitson (3) as a brewer.
In fact Samuel (2)'s widow Betty appears to have been quite prosperous and the Woborn Almshouse Account Book records her as the licensee of the Pall Tavern in Silver Street in 1796. The Woborn Property Rents of the same year also record that she was paying rent for the Three Cups (later the George) in Middle Street and presumably sub-letting it.
An indenture dated 24 June 1790 conveyed the Half Moon Inn in Corn Market (today's Silver Street) for £300 by William Latton to Mrs Betty Kitson. In a further indenture, dated 21 March 1798, Betty conveyed the Half Moon to Robert Tucker for £315.
Betty died in Yeovil in 1816, aged 71.
Samuel Kitson (3)
Samuel Kitson
(3) was the
second son of
Samuel (2) and
Betty. He was
born on 30
August 1769. The
Universal
British
Directory of
1790 noted
Samuel Kitson
(3) as a brewer,
and he was
recorded as a
maltster in a
deed of 1810.
This same year,
at the age of
41, he married
24-year old
Susannah Chubb
Bellamy
(1786-1832) at
St John's
church, by
license on 8
February 1810.
Susannah, also
recorded as
Susan, was the
daughter of the
late Edward
Bellamy Esq. of Cheddington,
Dorset. Samuel
(3) and Susannah
had five
children;
Elizabeth
(b1811), a son,
Samuel Kitson
(4), who was
baptised at
St John's church
on 24 February
1813, followed
by a daughter
Mary, baptised
on 1 August
1817, and a
daughter
Caroline
baptised on 10
August 1819,
both at St
John's. Finally,
another son
Edward Bellamy
(c1820-1866).
The Kitson family rented the Pall Tavern from the Woborn Almshouse until at least 1826 and certainly in this year the Land Tax records indicate that Susanna Kitson was also paying tax on the Three Cups and sub-letting it to John Thomas.
For Susannah's will, see below.
Samuel (3) was a brewer and maltster of the Yeovil Old Brewery in Hendford.
Thomas Cave (1781-1863) was living in Yeovil by 1818 and in 1824 he established a brewery in Clarence Street (actually behind his house in Princes Street). What is rarely known, however, is that from a lease of 1825 in my collection Thomas Cave rented a malthouse adjoining today's 1 & 3 Princes Street. In 1824 Samuel (3) and Thomas Cave entered a partnership - Kitson & Cave - which was listed in Pigot's Directory of 1824.
Thomas Cave (1781-1863) was living in Yeovil by 1818 and Samuel (3) and Thomas Cave entered a partnership - Kitson & Cave - which was listed in Pigot's Directory of 1824. However, Samuel (3) died in 1823, and his share of the partnership was carried on by his wife Susannah.
After Cave's departure from Kitson & Cave, Samuel's widow, Susanna, entered into a partnership with Edmund Henning. Edmund moved his family to Yeovil, probably as a result of the advertisement seeking a partner (see Gallery) placed in the 5 April 1830 edition of the Western Flying Post. Susanna and Henning went into partnership as 'maltsters and brewers' at the Yeovil Old Brewery. The brewery had been in the possession of the Kitson family since its foundation in 1771. The partnership between Susanna Kitson and Edmund Henning was dissolved in 1835.
Susannah Kitson died in Yeovil, after a short illness, on 9 July 1832, aged 46. The partnership between Susanna Kitson and Edmund Henning was not officially dissolved until August 1835.
Edmund Henning carried on the Old Brewery in his own right - presumably having purchased the brewery from Susanna Kitson's estate. Edmund Henning died in Yeovil in 1861. His son John inherited the Old Brewery, which he sold off piecemeal within two months of his father's death.
For the Kitson Family Tree, click here
MAPs
Edward Bullock Watts' map of 1806 showing the Kitson's brewery / malthouse at centre. The road running along the top is West Hendford (labelled Salthouse Lane) and Hendford runs diagonally from the top right quadrant to the bottom left corner.
This is a portion of the 1842 Tithe Map showing West Hendford running along the top and joining Hendford which comes up from bottom left. Hendford House is today's Manor Hotel and the Kitson's 'Yeovil Old Brewery' is shown at centre and marked as Parcel 369.
gallery
The record of the 20 February 1727 baptism of John, eldest son of Samuel Kitson (1) from St John's parish register.
The record of the 3 December 1766 marriage of Samuel Kitson (2) and Betty Jeans from St John's parish register.
The record of the 8 February 1810 marriage of Samuel Kitson (3) and Susannah Chubb Bellamy from St John's parish register.
A notice placed in the 5 April 1830 edition of the Western Flying Post noting the 'retirement' of Thomas Cave from the partnership.
1832 will of Susannah Kitson
This is the last Will
and Testament of
me
Susannah Kitson
of Yeovil in the
County of
Somerset Widow
Whereas by
virtue of a
certain
Indenture of
Settlement made
on my marriage
with Samuel
Kitson late of
Yeovil aforesaid
Malster deceased
bearing date on
or about the
seventh day of
February in the
year of our Lord
one thousand
eight hundred
and ten power
was reserved for
us jointly to
dispose of the
premises therein
and hereinafter
mentioned to all
and every or
such one or more
of the child or
children of the
said marriage
and for such
Estate and
Estates and in
such parts and
proportions as
we should by
deed or deeds
direct limit or
appoint and in
default of such
direction
limitation or
appointment then
the survivor of
us should by
deed or will
direct limit or
appoint in such
manner and to
such children as
aforesaid And
whereas no such
disposition as
aforesaid was
made by us
therefore full
power to dispose
of the said
premises as
aforesaid has
devolved as me
as such Survivor
Now therefore I
the said
Susannah Kitson
in pursuance and
in exercise and
execution of the
power and
authority
mentioned and
contained in the
said Indenture
of Settlement
hereinbefore
mentioned and of
all and every
other power and
powers authority
and authorities
me in any wise
enabling in this
behalf do by
this my last
Will and
Testament direct
limit appoint
and devise all
that messuage or
dwellinghouse
with the Malt
house brewhouse
cellar Stable
Waggon house
Barn Hayloft
Garden and
premises
thereunto
adjoining and
belonging
situate in
Yeovil aforesaid
which said
premises were at
time of the date
and execution of
the said
Indenture of a
Settlement in
the occupation
of Betty Kitson
and now in my
own occupation
and also all
those two
Messuages or
dwellinghouses
adjoining the
said last
mentioned
premises at the
time of the date
and execution of
the said
Indenture of
Settlement in
the occupation
of George Watts
and [space]
Bartlett and now
of myself and
[space] Robins
with the rights
[word illegible]
and
appurtenances to
the said several
hereditaments
and premises
respectively
belonging unto
and to the use
of my Son Samuel
Kitson his heirs
and assigns for
ever Also I do
hereby in manner
aforesaid direct
limit appoint
and devise all
that piece or
parcel of Ground
or orchard
called Rusty
Well containing
by Estimation
three acres at
the time of the
date and
execution of the
said Indenture
of Settlement in
the Occupation
of the said
Betty Kitson and
was in my own
occupation
situate in
Yeovil aforesaid
with the
appurtenances
unto and to the
use of my Son
Edward Bellamy
Kitson his heirs
and assigns for
ever And whereas
by virtue of the
said Indenture
of Settlement
hereinbefore
mentioned I have
also the right
or power (in
default of such
joint direction
limitation or
appointment as
aforesaid) as
such survivor as
aforesaid to
dispose of the
sum of one
thousand two
hundred pounds
therein
mentioned unto
such child or
children of the
said marriage in
such parts
shares and
proportions and
in such manner
and form as I
may by deed or
will give direct
limit or
appoints I do
therefore in
pursuance and in
exercise and
execution of the
power or
authority last
mentioned or
referred unto
and of all and
every other
power and powers
authority and
authorities me
in any wise
enabling in this
behalf give
direct limit and
appoint the sais
sum of one
thousand two
hundred pounds
and all Interest
that may be due
thereon at the
time of my
decease unto my
children
Elizabeth Kitson
Edward Bellamy
Kitson Mary
Kitson and
Caroline Kitson
(who with the
said Samuel
Kitson are all
the children of
the said
marriage) to be
equally divided
between them
share and share
alike as they
shall severally
and respectively
attain the age
of twenty one
years with full
benefit of
Survivorship (as
well as to
accruing as
original shares)
in case of the
death of any or
either of my
said children
last mentioned
under the age of
twenty one years
And I hereby
desire and
direct that in
the mean time
and until such
last mentioned
child or
children
respectively
shall attain the
age of twenty
one years the
Interest arising
from their
respective
shares shall be
applied in and
towards their
respective
education
maintenance and
advancement in
life as for and
concerning all
my own proper
personal Estate
and Effects
which I may be
possessed of
Interested in or
entitled unto
the [additional
'the'] time of
my decease I
give and
bequeath the
same unto Edward
Bernard of
Crewkerne in the
said County of
Somerset Surgeon
and
Edwin
Tomkins
of
Yeovil aforesaid
Gentleman their
Executors
administrators
and assigns upon
the trusts
nevertheless and
for the Intents
and purposes
hereinafter
mentioned that
is to say Upon
trust that they
the said Edward
Bernard and
Edwin Tomkins or
the Survivor of
them his
Executors or
administrators
do and shall as
soon as
conveniently may
be after my
decease by such
ways and [word
illegible] as to
them or him
shall seem meet
sell dispose of
and convert into
money so much
thereof as be in
its nature
saleable and
collect get in
and receive the
residue thereof
and do and shall
stand possessed
of the proceeds
arising
therefrom
respectively
Upon trust in
the first place thereout to pay
all my just
debts funeral
and testamentary
expences and do
and shall stand
possessed of the
surplus of such
monies Upon
trust to pay and
divide the same
unto and equally
between and
amongst
my said
children
Elizabeth Kitson
Edward Bellamy
Kitson Mary
Kitson and
Caroline Kitson
in equal shares
and proportions
as they shall
severally and
respectively
attain the age
of twenty one
years with such
benefit of
Survivorship as
hereinbefore is
mentioned in
case of the
death of any or
either of them
under that age
provided always
and I hereby
declare that in
case any or
either of my
said children
last
hereinbefore
mentioned shall
not have
attained the age
of twenty one
years at the
time of my
decease it shall
be lawful for
the said Edward
Bernard and
Edwin Tomkins
and
the
Survivor of them
and the
Executors or
administrators
of such Survivor
from time to
time to put
place and
[continue?] such
share or shares
respectively
arising out of
my personal
Estate as shall
not have become
payable
at
Interest on
Government or
real or personal
security in
their or his own
names or name
and from time to
time to alter
vary and
transpose such
security or
securities as
they or he shall
in their or his
discretion think
fit and to pay
and apply the
Interest
dividends and
proceeds arising
from such share
or shares
respectively in
and towards the
maintenance
education and
advancement in
life of such
child or
children
respectively as
will become
entitled thereto
on his her or
their attaining
the age of
twenty one years
And I hereby
declare that the
receipts of my
said trustees or
the Survivor of
them or the
Executors of
administrators
of such Survivor
shall be good
discharge for
all monies
received by them
or him by virtue
of this my will
without the
person or
persons paying
the same being
obliged to see
to the
application or
being liable for
the
misapplication
or nonapplicaton
thereof and of
any part thereof
and also that my
said trustees
shall be
chargeable only
for such money
as they shall
actually receive
and not the one
of them for the
other of them
but each for his
own acts and
[deeds?] only
Nor shall either
of them be
accountable for
any loss or
damage that may
happen in the
execution of the
aforesaid trusts
except it shall
happen through
their or his
wilful neglect
or misconduct
And I do further
declare that it
shall be lawful
for the said
trustees their
Executors or
administrators
from time to
time out of the
trust monies
that shall come
to their hands
to retain to and
reimburse
themselves all
such costs
charges and
expences as they
or either of
them shall pay
expend or be put
unto in about
the execution of
the trusts
hereby in them
reposed And I do
hereby nominate
constitute and
appoint the said
Edward Bernard
and Edwin
Tomkins
Executors
in trust of this
my Will and
hereby revoking
all other wills
and bequests by
me at any time
heretofore made
I declare this
to be my last
Will and
Testament In
Testimony
whereof I the
said Susannah
Kitson the
Testatrix have
to this my last
Will and
testament
contained in
this and the
preceding sheet
of paper set my
hand to the
first sheet
thereof and my
hand and seal to
this second or
last sheet
thereof this
eighteenth day
of April in the
year of our Lord
one thousand
eight hundred
and thirty two
Susanna Kitson
Signed sealed
published
pronounced and
declared by the
said Susannah
Kitson the
Testatrix as and
for her last
Will and
Testament in the
presence of us
who at her
request in her
presence and in
the presence of
each other have
hereunto set our
names as
witnesses
thereto
Charles Parsons
Susan
Bagg
Edwin
Newman
Proved at London 28th
March 1833
before the Judge
by the oaths of
Edward Burnard
(in the will
written Bernard)
and Edwin
Tomkins the
Executors to
whom adm[inistrati]on
was granted
being first
[sworn] by Com[missi]on
duly to
administer
Transcribed by Bob Osborn
