Abel Kitchin facts for kids
Abel Kitchin (who died in 1640) was an English merchant. He also served as the Mayor of Bristol. He lived on Broad Street in Bristol. Kitchin was the Mayor of Bristol from 1612 to 1613. He ran a business that imported oil from Spain. He also exported leather goods.
Contents
Queen Anne's Visit to Bristol
In 1613, Anne of Denmark, the Queen of England, visited Bristol. She was on her way to the spa town of Bath. Abel Kitchin, as Mayor, and the town council planned many fun events for her.
They met the Queen at Lawford's Gate. Kitchin gave her a special gift. It was a satin purse with her initials, "AR", sewn onto it.
A Staged Sea Battle
On June 7, the Queen watched a staged sea battle. This event took place at Canon's Marsh. It was near the Cathedral. The battle was fought where the Avon and Frome rivers meet.
The show featured an English ship fighting two Turkish galleys. After the English ship won, actors playing Turkish prisoners were brought before the Queen. She found it amusing. She said their red costumes and faces looked like real Turks.
A writer named Robert Naile described the event. He said sailors played the Turks. These actors knelt before Queen Anne. They begged for mercy as the show ended.
Dinner with the Queen's Lady
That evening, one of the Queen's ladies-in-waiting had dinner. Her name was Jean Drummond. She and others ate with Abel Kitchin. The Queen sent Kitchin a ring. It was set with sparkling diamonds.
On June 8, Kitchin escorted the Queen. She left Bristol and went to Siston Court.
Abel Kitchin's Properties
In his will, Abel Kitchin left the Queen's diamond ring to his son's family. He wanted it to be kept for future generations.
Kitchin owned several properties. These included a farm called Wicks Ouldbury (also known as Wixoldbury). This farm had land in the areas of Wickwar and Cromhall. He also owned land called Inlands in Wickwar. These lands were part of the Beverston estate. In Bristol, he owned a house called the Ragged Staff. It was located on Broad Street.
Abel Kitchin's Family
Abel Kitchin had several children:
- Abel Kitchin junior (who also died in 1640). In 1627, he married Alice Baber. Alice was the daughter of John Baber, a parson from Tormarton. She was also the sister of John Baber (MP). Abel and Alice had a daughter named Mary Kitchin.
- John Kitchin
- Mary Kitchin, who married a man named Nicholas Meredith.
- Sara Kitchin
A lawyer from London, Richard Kitchin, died in 1604. He left Abel Kitchin a house in Skipton. It is not known if Richard was related to Abel.
Bristol's Famous Nails
Bristol is known for its "nails." These were special bronze tables. Merchants used them to make deals and complete sales. The second oldest bronze nail at The Exchange, Bristol was a gift. It came from Robert Kitchin. He was a merchant and a former mayor. He left it in his will in 1594.
An inscription from 1630 mentions Abel Kitchin. It says he was an Alderman and one of Robert Kitchin's four executors. An executor is someone who carries out the wishes in a will. It is not known if Robert Kitchin was Abel Kitchin's father or uncle. Robert was originally from Kendal.
See Also
- Mayor of Bristol
- Anne of Denmark
