Transcribed and contributed by David Anstey, April, 2022.
While I have endeavored to be as correct as humanly possible, there may be typographical errors. Please verify with original records if possible.

Unknown Region of Newfoundland

God's Will be done. This is the last will and Testament of me William Kitcher, of the Town and County of Poole, Mariner. Made and published in good health, and at the time of my being in perfect Mind and Memory.

First, I direct that all my just Debts and Funeral expenses be fully paid and satisfied, by my executors hereafter named.

And I give and bequeath unto my beloved wife Elizabeth my part, Share, or Interest of and in, all those two farms commonly called or known by the names of Chapel farm, and Coomb Bissett farm. Situate, lying and being at Knoyle and Coombe, in the County of Wiltshire. To hold unto my said wife, her executors, administrators, and assigns. For during all such Time, Term, Estate, Right, or Title, as I shall respectively have of in or to, the said farms at the time of my decease.

And I also give unto my said wife all and singular my Plate, Linen, and household goods, or furniture, whatsoever.

And likewise give unto my said wife, all my farm at Ashley in the Parish of Milton, in the County of Southampton; in the Occupation of John Kitcher. To hold unto my said wife and her Assigns, for so long time as she shall continue my Widow unmarried, and no longer. But Subject to Impeachment of past.

And I do further give unto my said wife, all such Rents of the said several farms as shall be due and owing unto me, at the time of my decease.

But if she shall leave a Child or Children lawfully begotten, at the time of my decease, or if any Child or Children should be Born of the Body of my said wife after my decease, of which she is now Ensient [ Enciente/Pregnant ]. Then I give devise and bequeath unto such Child or Children, my said farm at Ashley aforesaid. In fee, from and immediately after, the Marriage of my said wife.

And I give unto such Child or Children, all and Singular my Stock in Trade, Share or Interest in Ships or Vessels, money, and other personal Estate, whatsoever and wheresoever, which I shall be possessed of, or Intitled unto, at the time of my decease.

All, which together with my Real Estate at Ashley aforesaid, shall be Vested in my Executors hereafter named. For the use and benefit of such Child or Children until he, she, or they, shall be respectively Married, or attain the Age of twenty-one years, which shall first happen. And then be equally divided between such Children, if more than one. Share and share alike. But if one only then the whole, to such one Child.

And my further will is that if I shall not at the time of my decease, leave any Child or Children, or there shall not be any after born Child or Children of the Body of my said wife as aforesaid: Then and in that case, I give devise and bequeath unto my Brother John Kitcher of Heith [ Heath/Hythe ] in the said County of Southampton, Maltster; all that my said farm at Ashley aforesaid. To hold unto him his Heirs and Assigns forever. From and immediately after the Marriage of my said wife.

And I also give unto my said Brother John Kitcher, the sum of two hundred pounds to be paid out of my Personal Estate. Except such part thereof as is herein before devised unto my said wife, within one year after my decease.

And I give unto my Relation Samuel Fry of Heith [ Heath/Hythe ] aforesaid, Mariner; all that my part or share of a Bilander called the "St. Claire", with my proportion of the furniture or apparel thereunto belonging. But if the said Bilander shall at the time of my decease be lost at sea, or taken by the Enemy: Then and in that case, I give unto the said Samuel Fry the sum of one hundred Pounds to be paid out of my Personal Estate by my Executors hereinafter named within one year after my decease. Subject to the exception aforesaid.

And I give unto Martha Abraham, Spinster, now living with me, all that my part or share of a Sloop called the "William & Elizabeth", of which George Rose is now Master. With my proportion of the furniture or apparel thereunto belonging. And also, the sum of fifty Pounds of lawful money, to be paid unto her the said Martha Abraham out of my Personal Estate, by my Executors hereafter named, within one year after my decease, except as before Excepted.

And I give unto my Kinsman John Kitcher of Ashley aforesaid, the sum of twenty Pounds which he is now Indebted unto me, upon Bond.

And I give unto my Relation, William Kittier of Ringwood in the said County of Southampton, Weaver; and my said Brother John Kitcher; twenty Pounds each.

And all the rest, residue, and remainder of my Personal Estate which shall be remaining; after my just Debts, funeral Expenses, and Legacies, herein before given and bequeathed, shall be fully paid off Satisfied and Discharged, I give unto my poorest Relations at Heith [ Heath/Hythe ] aforesaid. To be distributed and paid to and amongst them, by and at the discretion of my Executors herein named. In such Shares and Proportions, as they shall think proper.

And I do Nominate Constitute and Appoint the said William Kittier, and my Brother John Kitcher, joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament. Hereby revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made, and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof, I the said testator have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, the twenty fourth Day of March, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty-five. William Kitcher.

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Testator to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who set our Names as Witnesses hereunto, in the presence of the said Testator, and in the presence of each other. William Knapton. Odber Knapton. Richard Beere.

Proved at London, Oct 6, 1747. By the oaths of William Kittier, and John Kitcher, the Executors. Admon was granted.

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Endnotes:

*Reading lines for posterity sake...

*Town of Heath/Hythe, Parish of Fawley, Hampshire. (*Now in the Parish of Dibden.)

*Parishes of East Knoyle, and Coombe Bissett, Wiltshire. (Manor of Coombe/Coombe Bissett)

Kittier and Kitcher, appear to be variants of the same surname? Or at a minimum, appear to have had their surnames interchanged in varying records. Deeper research may ascertain. Apparent Kittier - Kitcher family relations exist between Ringwood, Milton, Lymington, Poole, etc.

*Samuel & John Fry, Southampton mariners, circa 1750.

Calendar of Treasury books and papers, 1729-1745. ... 1739-1741. 1903. Page 352. < Embargo Warrant. April 1, 1740. Vessel "Clement", Captain William Kittier, berthed at Southampton. *To provide 3 Seamen for His Majesty's Navy.

Acts of the Privy Council of England: Colonial Series. 1720-1745. Page 632. 1739. "Clement", William Kittier master. 130 Tons, 2 officers, 12 men. With provisions for the garrison of Placentia.

*Collateral listings to the embargo warrants, as contained in the Treasury Books noted above here. Two information sources which may be viewed in conjunction with one another.

The Gentlemen's Magazine. Vol 11. 1741. Nov 10, 1740. The "Clement", Ketcher, Newfoundland to England, carried into St. Sebastians.

Annals of Europe. 1741. Pages 267/8. *Letter of Captain William Kittier to Mr. William Kittier of Ringwood, dated at Pampelona, January 28, 1740/1. Captain Kittier was taken prisoner into St. Sebastians; with Mr. Spratt, Mr. Glover, Mr. Slade, and others.

Lloyd's List, March 31, 1747, edition. Sailed from Lisbon for Newfoundland, the "St. Clare", Captain Kitcher.

Lloyd's List, Jul 21, 1747, edition. The "St. Clair", Kittier, the "Mary", Belbin, and the "Molly", Elmes; arrived at Newfoundland, from Poole.

Would the marriage of John Elmes and Hannah Kittier at Lymington, in 1738, be pertinent?

Lloyd's List, Nov 29, 1748, edition. Arrived at Lisbon, from Newfoundland, the vessel "Mary", Captain Belbin.

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CO 194/4. Page 15. Petition signed by the inhabitants of Conception Bay. Circa Oct 12, 1706. Includes signatures: Thomas Belbin, Thomas Williams, Thomas Pike, etc.

*Jane Pike wed Captain William Williams of Poole, at Harbour Grace, in 1820.

Thomas Belbin at Carbonear. By his Hampshire Record Office Will, dated at Carbonear Island, Feb 23, 1709. Mentions the names Moses Kitcher, Peter/Pierre Merkin?, Peter Vincent?, and Thomas Williams.

*Will of Thomas Belben of Carbonear Island, Newfoundland, North America, planter, 1710. Endorsed Ringwood.

Sep 15, 1688, a Charter was issued to Poole, Dorset. First Burgesses of the Corporation included Timothy Bird and William Pike Senior. Poole thereby became a “Peculiar”, being given both town and county status, in one.

*1693. William Pike, Poole, Dorset; Mayor.

*1761, John Pike, Burgess of Poole.

*Early Society of Friends marriages at Poole, includes Pike marriages. The question is raised whether the Pike family at Poole, had members in the Society of Friends, and in the Anabaptist/Baptist society. In early Newfoundland Pikes appear in Methodist circles.

Balfour, transferred from Trinity Bay... arrived at Conception Bay, in October 1774, as Coughlan's successor. "...at Carbonear he had to contend with some "prejudices", as the inhabitants of that place were "Dissenters and Methodists...".

Will of Thomas Pike of Poole, Dorset. Probated on Jan 3, 1707. Names his brothers Timothy and Edward Bird.

On Nov 7, 1735, at the establishment of the "Baptist Church" at Poole; John Bird was chosen to be Pastor. Sarah Bird was a member. Mary Belbin, etc. Consider possible association of/intermarriage with, the Pike family at Poole, during late 1600’s/early 1700’s.

Parish of Milton, Hampshire; register extract. Oct 22, 1743. William Kittier of Heath, Mariner; wed Mrs. Elizabeth Pike of Poole, Dorset, by license.

*Post 1743, did William Kitcher/Kittier of Heath/Hythe, Southampton, Mariner; migrate to Poole, Dorset? William Kitcher's Last Will & Testament being made on March 24, 1745, when he was of Poole, Dorset.

July, 1744. “St. Clair”, ship, 100 Tons, Poole. Master George Addis. Owners: William Kitcher, William Barfoot, (merchants, Poole), William Kittier (merchant, Hampshire), George Addis (mariner, Poole).

Thomas Pike, Mariner, made a 1737 Will at Poole, Dorset; documenting his farm Estates at Coombe Bissett, and Easthayle, in the Parish of Coombe [ Coombe Bissett ], Wiltshire.

*Plural Pike Mariners, sailed Poole - Newfoundland. Plural Pikes were vessel owners, etc. See: Poole History online_ Name index combined.doc

(1751 Poor Law Church Rate books for Poole, Dorset.)

http://www.poolehistory.org.uk/node/324938

No tax record for Kittier/Kitcher. For Property, or Poll Taxes.

William Pike paid 1/3 Property tax on Nicholas King's Property, in Fish Street.

Francis and Samuel Pike, Church Street, Poole; paid Personal/Poll tax only.

Mr. John Pike in West Street paid Property and Personal/Poll taxes.

A Mrs. Pike paid Property tax in West Street.

*Francis and Samuel Pike paying only personal tax, and not paying property tax, in 1751 at Poole; tends to non-residence status. Mariners? Whom only lodged at Poole on occasion, when porting there. Short term lodging, renting, and/or, leasing. Leading to consideration for Francis and Samuel Pike being normally resident at Carbonear, in 1751.

Mr. John Pike may have had property at Poole and at Carbonear, simultaneously. In 1753, William Pike paid property and personal tax in High Street. In 1761, High Street, an occupier paid tax on William Pike’s Tenement. In 1755 a Mr. John Pike paid personal tax only, at Thames Street. Samuel Pike paid only personal tax at West Street. In 1765 Captain Thomas Pike paid only personal tax at West Street. In 1769 Captains Edward and Thomas Pike paid only personal tax in Thames Street. Mr. John Pike paid only personal tax in Thames Street.

*Consider similar cases of one's interests. Of Poole-Newfoundland Mariners, sailors, seamen, sojourners, yeomen, etc. Which may be found in the Poole, Dorset; Rate books. Paying only Personal (Poll) tax.

Captain John Farr, Mariner, of Weymouth; paid only Personal/poll tax to the Corporation of Poole. Mariner Farr would have lodged at Poole temporarily, while awaiting supplies, men, sailing orders, favorable winds, etc. The record shows Captain John Farr, voyaging from Poole, Dorset; to Fogo Island. Jan, 1762, Captain Farr in the ‘Banker” carried 29 Tons of Train oil, 346 sealskins, etc., Fogo Island to Poole.

*Will of Nicholas King, made on May 19, 1739, proved on Sep 25, 1740. Admon granted to his daughter, Hannah Pike. (Peculiar Court of Great Canford and Poole.) Plural Pike probates noted in this Court.

1759, Poole, Dorset. Mr. John Pike, Agent for the “William & Anne”, Wm Spicer, from Malaga laden with Wines… Mr. John Pike, part owner of the ship “Bellica”, seeking a new Register for trading with the Plantations.

Lloyd’s List Apr 11, 1755, edition. Sailed from Poole for Newfoundland, the "Bellica", Captain Pike.

1758 - 1760, Poole, Dorset. Vessel “Lamb”, John Pike, merchant, & part-owner. Captain John Linthorne.

Lloyd’s List Jun 30, 1761, edition. Arrived at Lisbon, from Newfoundland, the vessel “Lamb”, Linthorne.

Thompson Letter Book, 1760 – 1764, Poole, Dorset. Dec 2, 1760. John Pike left 100 Tons of Train Oil in the Land [ Newfoundland ]. And other parcels. Feb, 1762, Pike, & Green, had three ships and cargo seized at Alicant, valued at 12,000 Pounds. July, 1762, John Pike’s ship, Ben Linthorne, master, with 100 Tons of Train oil. taken and carried into France. (In 1762, John Pike and his clerk, John Bowles, both of Poole; were captured by the French, in Carbonear.) Aug 6, 1763, Peter Thompson sent late Captain Bulley’s papers to the care of John Pike at Carbonear, to be forwarded to St. John’s.

(The above details occurring before the era of William Pike, of the firm of “Pike and Green”. Which occurred after the death of John Green, brother to Young Green. Pike, and Green, of 1764, appears to have been constituted by Mr. John Pike & Co., and John and Young Green & Co. A brothers in Law, partner situation?)

*In 1760, William Pike captained the vessel “Chance”, Poole to Newfoundland.

*1764. Pike, and Green, owners of ships “Escape”, “John & Oliver”, and “Lamb”.

*1775. John Pike & Co. owned the ships “Escape”, “John & Betsy”, & “John & Oliver”.

*1775. Pike & Co. owned the “Pike”, “Polly”, “Sukey”, & “Fly”.

Lloyd’s Register, 1784. Vessel “Fly”, 80 Tons/11 Men, Captains Coppiduck/M. Davis, Poole – Newfoundland. Built in Newfoundland, 1775. For: Paul & Co/J. Pike & Co. *Coveyduck.

Coppyduck also captained for Elizabeth Knight, widow of Joseph Knight, of Poole and Carbonear. Samuel Pike sold plantation land to Elizabeth Knight, at Burnt Head, Carbonear. Ann Pike born 1797, wed John Forward, and moved to Tizzard’s Harbor, Notre Dame Bay. Early 1800’s. Henry Knight and Carbonear Taylor family moved to Moreton’s Harbor, Notre Dame Bay, around the same time, or slightly earlier.

*The Kemp family traded out of Carbonear. James Kemp, 1739, vessel “Neptune”. When James died, Martin Kemp moved from Christchurch to Poole. In 1755 Martin Kemp married Mary Welch of Lymington. When Martin Kemp became deceased at age 48, Mary Welch Kemp’s brother George Welch, appointed John Green, merchant of Poole and Carbonear, Newfoundland trader; a joint manager of the Kemp Newfoundland business, with a banker of London. When John Green became deceased, he had no heirs to carry on his business. (To carry on the voyage, in a manner of speaking.) William Pike of Poole and Carbonear, merchant, then bought John Green’s Poole Newfoundland business. In 1785, the two “separate firms” of William Pike and John Green, had been very strong in Newfoundland. The new firm of “Pike and Green” was thus very large. Just prior to the 1800’s, George and James Kemp, sons of Martin Kemp, purchased the Poole Newfoundland firm of “Pike and Green”. ( Mansions and Merchants of Poole and Dorset. Poole Historical Trust. 1976.)

Moses Kittier of Ringwood, Brewer. His son William Kittier, traded out of Poole?

Moses Kittier born Jul 30, 1754, bap Aug 3, 1754, son of Moses Kittier, at the Upper Meeting House, Ringwood Presbyterian.

Moses Kittier wed Mary Gosse on Oct 2, 1670 at Ringwood.

"The Meeting House". (In this case = Non-conformist, Dissenting, Presbyterian.)

*Ringwood Kittiers had plantations at Greenspond, and Twillingate, Newfoundland.

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The term Mariner…

The registers of baptisms, marriages & burials of the parish of Falmouth in the county of Cornwall, 1663-1812 ... Transcribed and ed. by Susan Elizabeth Gay and Mrs. Howard Fox pt.1 Published 1915. Author: Falmouth, Eng. (Parish).

Page vii. Occupations are occasionally transcribed. The word " mariner " frequently occurs among the callings mentioned. This did not at that time signify a seaman, but the captain of any small or large vessel short of an East Indiaman, the captain of which was usually styled a "commander". Thus, the term had a wide range and included a rather varied class of persons, educated and otherwise.

*Consider the Mariners/Captains of early Newfoundland. Versus seamen, sailors, yeomen, sojourners, Planters, passengers, by boat keepers, agents, supercargoes, shipwrights, block-makers, ship chandlers, etc.

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A new general atlas, containing a geographical and historical account of all the empires, kingdoms, and other dominions of the world with the natural history and trade of each country... Published: 1721. Author: Senex, John, d. 1740. London. 1721.

Page 240. The Fishery here [Newfoundland] is reckoned one of the most beneficial Trades in the World; for a Ship of a hundred and Fifty Tons, and twenty Men, provided with Victuals and Fishing-Tackle, will in a good Year cure 3000 Pounds [ Sterling ] worth of Fish. The English and French seldom load less than 500 Ships per Annum, with Cod and Poor-John to Europe.

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Whether the Portsmouth, Hampshire, Pikes, were relative of the Poole, Dorset Pike families, is a pertinent question? Timothy/William/Francis/etc. Residence at Portsmouth, and Newport, Isle of Wight.

Lloyd’s List, Jul 7, 1758, edition. Sailed from Cowes for Spithead, the vessel "Heron", Captain Pike, for a Convoy.

South Carolina Gazette, Publication years 1732-1775. (Year 1758). Customs House Notices. Oct 2, 1758. “Heron” Frigate, Arrived, but not entered in from Portsmouth. Shipmaster Pike. “Heron” Ship Entered Out of Customs for Cowes, Dec 15, 1758. Shipmaster Francis Pike.

South Carolina Gazette, Publication years 1732-1775. (Year 1758). Customs House Notice, Sep 9, 1758. “Revenge”, ship Entered into Customs from Antigua. Shipmaster: Conway Heighington. Sep 1, 1758, a Local News Article, reports the Revenge, as arrived from Bristol. Custom House Notice, Sep 15, 1758, the “Revenge” Windbound at Charleston. Dec 8, 1758. Entered Out of Customs, for Bristol.

*1758. The “Revenge”, privateer of Bristol.

*Conway Heighington first commissioned Lieutenant of His Majesty’s Fleet on June 17, 1782. *1782, the “Enterprize”, Letter of Marque, of Bristol. 270 Tons. 118 men and officers. Commander: Conway Heighington.

*At Wimpole Street, London. Died Dec 29, 1833, aged 89, Susanna Pynn, widow of Conway Heighington, Esq., R.N. Susanna Pynn born circa 1744. (*Neice of Sir Henry Pynn, and daughter of Augustus Pynn, of Harbour Grace. Per St. Paul’s Church register, Trinity.)

*Newfoundland does not appear for the year 1758, in the South Carolina Gazette. (Newfoundland not considered as a Port of Departure or Arrival? Rather as a Lading Port.)