Mrs John Buller-Kitson JP (1859-1944)
Born Agnes Carus-Wilson, she married Rev John Buller-Kitson. She became one of the early women magistrates in the South West in 1922, serving as a Devon County magistrate before resigning in 1941. In 1926, she also became a Plymouth JP, taking a particular interest in juvenile cases, and matrimonial issues. She was involved with the Discharged Prisoners’ Aid Society, and a supporter of the Devon branch of the London Police Court Mission. With her husband, formerly Rector of Lanreath, she had moved to Plymouth on his retirement in1918, becoming widowed in 1923. On her arrival, she rapidly became a noted local activist. She served on the Plymouth Board of Guardians 1918 until 1925, and was an ardent supporter of local women’s causes, including the appointment of more women JPs. She was a considerable musician and interested herself in getting local children involved in music-making (including contributing to rehearsing the local choirs for Mayflower 300). She was also strongly associated with the Plymouth Townswomen’s Guild and took an active role in the local Girl Guides. An ardent churchwoman, she was an active parishioner in the St Andrew’s congregation, and supported overseas causes like Zenana Missions. The gardens of her house on the Hoe, Penhever, Carlisle Terrace, was often used for bazaars and other community events. A good friend of Nancy Astor, she worked closely with her on the day nurseries and the local orphanage, alongside the YWCA, and was a major figure in local hospital work, including the Devon and Cornwall Linen League, which fund-raised for local hospital resources. Politically, she was a member of the local Unionist party and active in the Plymouth Primrose League during the interwar years, as well as joining her friend Dr Mabel Ramsay as a member of the Plymouth Soroptomists (becoming the branch President in 1934). When WWII came, she continued her work as a Plymouth magistrate, her involvement with the Soroptomists and other causes – but added Chairmanship of the Plymouth War Aid Supply Depot. She finally resigned as a magistrate in July 1941, as well as resigning from her other local involvements, on moving to Exeter, then Exmouth, after becoming homeless in the Plymouth Blitz). She died in 19 Interestingly enough, she was not an ardent temperance activist – indeed while not promoting spirit consumption, she thought beer (so long as it was of good quality) was a good nutrient for working men! She was a distinctive and easily recognisable figure locally, especially because after her husband’s death, she was noted for remaining fashionable, but always dressing in black, with occasional touches of silver or white.