My great-grandfather's name was Solomon Bruce Welton Kitchen. However, when he married my great-grandmother, he dropped the last two names and married her as a BRUCE. So, their children, etc. became BRUCE's. There are various speculations as to why he changed the name, but it probably had something to do with the illegitimate son who showed up on my great-grandfather's doorstep one day and who looked just like my great-grandfather. Anyway, here is my BRUCE/KITCHEN line and I would be interested in corresponding with anyone who might be related: William KITCHEN, b. ?; died ? in Lycoming Co., PA?, married: Jermina MILLER Children of William and Jermina: Wyatt Chamberlin KITCHEN, b. 16 Apr. 1820, Williamsport, Lycoming Co., PA; died 20 Apr. 1893, Logan, Harrison Co., IA, married1: 4 Nov. 1840 Elizabeth Ann CLOGGETT married2: 16 July 1844 Elisabeth Eyster SLAGLE Children of Wyatt and 1st wife Elizabeth Cloggett: Solomon Bruce Welton KITCHEN, b. 9 Sep 1841, Petersburg, Hardy Co., VA; died 23 Mar. 1914, Clearwater Beach, Pinellas Co., FL; married: 4 Sep 1868 in Marshall Co., IA Nancy GARRETT (Married her as BRUCE) Solomon was in the Civil War in 1862 from Nebraska under his full name. He had an illegitimate son from Nebraska named Elias KITCHEN. This son came to visit his half-brothers and sisters in Waterloo, IA as late as the 1940s. Solomon and his wife, Nancy, were visiting their son in Clearwater Florida when Solomon died of an epileptic seizure. He supposedly was buried in Clearwater City Cemetery, but we can find no proof of this. After his death, Nancy tried to claim his pension and was forced to change her name to KITCHEN in order to collect the pension. It is not known if Nancy knew of Solomon's name change prior to his death. Children of Solomon BRUCE and Nancy: William BRUCE, b. 1871, Madison Co., IA Eli Sanders Bruce, b. 19 May 1875 Timber Creek Twp, Marshall Co., IA Levi Solomon Bruce, b. 19 May 1875 Timber Creek Twp, Marshall co., IA David Lee BRUCE, b. 30 June 1877, Marshall Co., IA Rachel Belle Bruce, b. 30 June 1877, Marshall Co., Ia Sarah Ellen Bruce, b. 17 Sep 1880 LeGrande, Marshall Co., IA Charles Edward Bruce, b. 17 Aug 1882, Marshall Co. Ia John Gallagher Bruce, b. 30 Oct. 1886, Marshall Co., IA (Levi BRUCE changed his name to KITCHEN when he was 21 because he was told if one of the Bruce brothers changed their name to Kitchen they could have the Kitchen Family Bible. At one time the bible was known to be in the possession of Levi's son, Lawrence Kitchen, in California, but later his widow would not give the bible to any of the Bruce's.) Eli Sanders BRUCE, b. 19 May 1875, Marshall Co. IA; died 7 Aug 1956 Black Hawk Co., IA. married Harriet (Hattie) Mabel CRAMER, in Marshall Co., IA Children of Eli Sanders BRUCE and Hattie CRAMER: Leslie Jesse BRUCE, b. 1898, died 1 May 1918 (WWI) Eli Solomon BRUCE, Jr. , b. 1900 Hazel Mellie BRUCE, b. April 1901, Marshall Co., IA Edna Sylvia BRUCE, b. 2 Jan 1911, Marshall Co., Ia; died 22 Feb 1973 Elizabeth Lois BRUCE, b. 18 Oct 1917 Black Hawk Co., Ia Jeanette May BRUCE (adopted) Thanks for letting me post my BRUCE/KITCHEN line.