The elder was Robert Ellin, born 1837; the younger was John William Kitson, born in 1846. According to the Kitson family, it was Ellin who first came to the United States and then encouraged Kitson to follow. Their first known collaboration was a mahogany breakfront entered into a juried show for the United States Centennial held in Philadelphia in 1876. According to Kitson family history, they entered their work as Americans, thinking it would set them apart from the many English entries. At the time of the Centennial celebration, their firm had been awarded the execution of the Astor Memorial Altar. The breakfront was very noted and won a prize. In addition to the breakfront, they also entered various church furnishings, which was their company emphasis. Kitson family oral history tells of many trips which William took to South America to personally select the mahogany and other woods for various projects.