Kitty Canham was born in 1720 to Robert and Judith, who ran a prosperous farm, living in a Tudor manor house known as Beaumont Hall, in the parish of Beaumont-cum-Moze adjoining Thorpe-le-Soken. The only surviving child, Kitty was extraordinarily beautiful and had an array of admirers. Kitty turned down the advances of many men. Her parents became worried she would be left on the shelf, reputedly warning her that she should not turn down the next man who offered his hand in marriage.