John Kitchen, Esq.,
of Windham, is no more. On the morning of Feb. 1[0], after a short
illness, he succumbed to an attack of la grippe, passing away peacefully and
so far as appearances would indicate, painlessly.
Deceased was born in
an old Charlotteville home Dec. 26, 1818, and had therefore lived about
one month and fourteen days of his 90th year. He was the second son of Joseph
Kitchen, one of the old historical pioneers of the Long Point Settlement.
To say that John
Kitchen was an old timer is not enough -- he was the sole surviving old
timer in the section of Norfolk in which he spent his life. True, there
are men older than he who survive him, but not one who has been so long or
so thoroughly identified with the beginning of things and their
development in the old village of Fredericksburg and the southwestern
quarter of Windham as was the deceased.
The departed pioneer
was a man of marked characteristics. He was liberal minded in his views of
matters and things. Although a stalwart Reformer of the old school, many
of his warmest personal friends were found among the so-called "dyed
in the wool" Tories. In religion it was the same. Being a staunch
Baptist himself he had warm personal friends among all classes, creeds and
denominations.
When the subject of
this obituary and his young bride, a Miss Rebecca Smith, daughter of
Abraham Smith, another historical pioneer of the "old
settlement," settled among the pines more than 63 years ago, with a
fixed purpose of converting 200 acres of Windham wilderness into smiling
fields of pro[duction] it was no small task for two pairs of human
hands to undertake; but by patient and constant industry, the practice of
frugality and economy, and an untiring perseverance they succeeded in
establishing one of the finest homes in the township.
For over 63 years they were
permitted to work out together, side by side, the great problem of human
life when with a suddenness that was startling, a message came to the
mother, calling her from her earthly labors to the rest that was prepared
for her in the abode of the blessed. That was nearly five years ago, and
shortly after, the younger daughter, Mrs. L. C. McConnell, became mistress
of the old homestead, and thus the old pioneer died in the old home he had
lived more than 68 consecutive years.
The late John Kitchen
was a life-long Liberal. He boasted of being one of the first subscribers
to the Weekly Globe. He was elected by his party to the presidency of the
North Norfolk Reform Association, a position he held for over a quarter of
a century.
In church fellowship
he as a staunch Baptist, having been a constituent member of the old
Fredericksburg church. He became one of the first trustees of the church
and for many many years served as deacon. While the old minute book shows
many checkered careers among the membership in those early pioneer days,
the record shows that the chairs taken by the deceased and she who shared
his joys and sorrows to be constant and true, and at all times consistent
with their humble profession of Christian faith.
There were but two
daughters in the family, each of whom survives to mourn his loss, namely
Mrs. R. M. Wilson, the elder, and Mrs. L. C. McConnell, the younger.
Among the local descendants are five grandchildren, one McConnell and four
Wilsons, and ten great-grandchildren; all Wilsons. The old pioneer is
survived by one brother, Egbert M. Kitchen of Vittoria.
The internment took
place on Wednesday the 18th at 10.30 a.m. in the Delhi cemetery, after
which services were held in the Baptist church, the pastor, Rev. J. L.
Dingman, having charge.
[Description of service
omitted.]
