A gentleman who unexpectedly inherited his family’s seat in Swaledale is the subject of a new book by Richmond author Jane Hatcher.
Timothy Hutton’s diaries, kept over a 50-year period, shed a fascinating light on the era when railways were taking over from stage coaches, steam ploughs tested on different types of land, and eye surgeons starting to remove cataracts.
A member of both the Richmond lodge of Freemasons and the town’s ancient guild of Mercers, Grocers and Haberdashers, Hutton (1779-1863) also attended mayoral feasts in Richmond, enjoyed plays at the Georgian Theatre, invested in Swaledale lead mines and ran the bank the family owned.
All in addition to creating a gentleman’s residence near Masham designed by Richmond architect John Foss.
The author said that Timothy Hutton may not be a household name, but the documents he left behind give us in-depth details of the life lived not only by the Yorkshire gentry, but also their butlers, gardeners and housemaids.
She added: “Did you know that buying a new carriage meant trading in the old one, and haggling over the ‘extras’, just like buying a car today?
“Or that some couples took mother-in-law with them on their honeymoon? The book also provides background material on the Hutton family, who owned Marske Hall from about 1600 up until 1950.”
Timothy Hutton (1779-1863) of Clifton Castle and Marske-in-Swaledale contains 18 colour and 21 black and white illustrations, and 14 pedigrees of Yorkshire families.
The book is priced at £17.50.
It goes on sale on August 17 at Castle Hill Bookshop, 1B Castle Hill, Richmond, North Yorkshire, DL10 4QP, tel 01748 824243 or email info@castlehillbookshop.co.uk.
