Taking up the challenge set by Amy Johnson Crow last Sunday, this week marks the second week of the 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks. And this week, our attention turns to Timothy Kitcher.
Timothy was baptised in St John the Baptist Church, Boldre in Hampshire on 7 December 1834. His father, William, was first married to Ann Lawrens on 9 December 1819, though she sadly died in December 1820, aged just 25. Her death was most probably in child birth as their son, William, was baptised 14 January 1821. William brought up his son alone for eleven years before marrying Elizabeth ‘Betsey’ Hawkins in 1832. Timothy’s other older brother, George, was baptised on 6 January 1833 before Timothy’s arrival in 1834.
Comyn’s New Forest: 1817 Directory of Life in the Parishes of Boldre and Brockenhurst detailed the Kitcher family at Battramsley Bridge in 1843: William and Betsy, with Timothy aged 6 and George aged 9. Eight years later, in the 1851 census, William was a widower and had reached 60 years of age. The family had moved to the nearby village of Sway with William’s son – William aged 30, daughter-in-law – Ann aged 24, son – Timothy aged 16 and granddaughter – Fanny, aged 2, all living with William at Mount Pleasant.
On 30 December 1854, Timothy married Sarah Alice Baker at St Luke’s Church, Sway. Three children were born of Timothy and Sarah Alice:
Henry, sometimes known as Harry, Harry Timothy or Timothy Henry – born 8 Jan 1856 Sway and baptised as Timothy Henry twice (once in 1856 and once in 1859)
Adelaide – born 13 May 1858 Sway
Tom Baker – born 14 May 1861 Sway
In 1861, the family were at Hedge End Lane, Sway (see below) …. no Timothy though. Tom Baker was born shortly after the census and Sarah died 2 July 1862 aged just 25, leaving three young children. 
In 1871, the Kitcher children are scattered with Henry, a servant at the Vicarage in Boldre, and Adelaide and ‘Thomas’, aged 16 and 15 respectively, residing at New Lane, Lymington Union Workhouse.
Timothy, quite literally, disappears off the planet! As yet, no record of him has been located after his son’s birth certificate in 1861. Maybe he’s still roaming the New Forest? Doubtful, but I would be delighted to know what happened to him…
