Nelson & His World

Discussion on the life and times of Admiral Lord Nelson
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 Post subject: Portrait of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton
PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2015 7:19 pm 
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Many on here will be aware that Anna (Tycho) has been searching for years for a portrait or image of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton. I think it may be something in the region of 10 years. At last an image of Sutton has been found. It shows him in civilian dress and in retirement - but I am sure you can appreciate how delighted she is after all this time. I had nothing to do with finding this image but Anna has asked me to post it up for her. I am sure she will be along soon to explain how it was discovered and a bit more about it.

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Samuel Sutton sketch 002.JPG
Samuel Sutton sketch 002.JPG [ 57.36 KiB | Viewed 12314 times ]


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 Post subject: Re: Portrait of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton
PostPosted: Thu May 28, 2015 10:09 pm 
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Joined: Sun Feb 17, 2008 11:06 am
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Location: mid-Wales
Thanks, Mark!

I was delighted to receive this image from a collateral descendant of Admiral Sutton ( whom we refer to affectionately as 'Uncle Sam') who instigated her own indefatigable researches into her ancestor. I've been in touch with Gail, who lives in New Zealand, for several years and she has kept me informed of all her successes in her searches for information. She managed to locate several local historians in Suffolk and one of them produced this image, clearly from the period after Sutton's retirement from active service. We shall have to imagine him decked out in cocked hat and gold braid!

My own interest in Sutton stems from a letter I have that was written by Lady Hamilton to Captain Sutton, at the direction of Lord Nelson, promising him a letter about his dismay at the failure to award medals to those who fought at Copenhagen. The address panel is written in Nelson's own hand, and is signed by him, thereby ensuring that no postage was paid. Sutton was greatly admired by Nelson and it has always puzzled me that no portrait could be found of a distinguished officer and onetime captain of HMS Victory. But we have an image at last! I hope you're looking in, Gail, and are as delighted as I am to see Uncle Sam here!

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 Post subject: Re: Portrait of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton
PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 6:50 pm 
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Anna

Where was the drawing found please?

And do you have any idea who did the drawing. Or anything else regarding its provenance?

As you know I love these stories of dogged research. Especially when they have a great end result! :)

Mark


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 Post subject: Re: Portrait of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton
PostPosted: Fri May 29, 2015 9:06 pm 
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I'm all agog to know the details myself. Gail's contact has, sadly, just had a family bereavement but we are hoping for comprehensive details from him in due course. I'll keep you posted!

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 Post subject: Re: Portrait of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2015 9:21 am 
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Mark:

Here is an extract from Gail's latest email with info about the sketch:

I can tell you this pencil drawing came from Mrs Cheyne the very elderly woman who owns and lives in Ditchingham Lodge which was uncle Sams home at Bungay. She stated she had got it as a copy from the Bungay Museum many years ago and had mislaid it but recently her daughter Dorothy 'found' it again after my contact asked her about any info she might have of The Suttons.
This home belonged to Ryder Haggard and his descendants for many years.
Sadly the Bungay Museum Curator cannot find the original of this drawing. I have been there myself, now 5 years ago, and asked for info etc but drew a blank.

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 Post subject: Re: Portrait of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2015 9:50 am 
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Forum member appear has just emailed this link with a nice picture of Ditchingham Lodge, Sutton's residence in Suffolk. It's a very handsome establishment: bought with prize money?

PS - am going away for a week tomorrow and won't be able to update any further info until I get back.

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Anna


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 Post subject: Re: Portrait of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2015 10:18 am 
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Anna, as I couldn't see the link in your last post, I have added it.

http://writersgate.co.uk/map/norfolk.htm

appear


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 Post subject: Re: Portrait of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton
PostPosted: Sun May 31, 2015 11:14 am 
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Aaaaargh! All go here - I forgot!

Many thanks!

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 Post subject: Re: Portrait of Rear Admiral Samuel Sutton
PostPosted: Wed Jun 10, 2015 11:54 pm 
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Never thought I'd see the day! Isn't this nice!

if I remember right, there is no known portrait of John Child Purvis; the closest Iain Gordon could come in his Purvis bio "Admiral of the Blue" was a portrait of Purvis's brother.

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