Conwy grave Sarah Dutton
Sarah Dutton (d. 1920)
Sarah Dutton was 26 years old when she started running the Castle Hotel in Conwy in the 1860s. She also leased a farm near Gyffin. She was helped by her sister Emma, three years younger, until 1874, when Emma married. From then on Sarah, who never married, ran the hotel and farm on her own.
The sisters had come to Conwy from Bridgnorth, Shropshire. Their parents, William and Mary, moved to the Castle Hotel and are buried elsewhere in this cemetery.
In 1884, Sarah bought the freehold to the Castle Hotel and the neighbouring King’s Head. Her remodelling of the combined properties resulted in the spectacular frontage that’s familiar today, including the carved letter “D” for Dutton above the main entrance (see photo).
Sarah was a “Primrose dame”. The Primrose League was formed in 1883 to broaden the Conservative Party’s appeal through social activities and other campaigning. Sarah was an enthusiastic member and organiser of the league’s Gloddaeth Habitation. She died in November 1920.
Other members of the family buried here include Sarah’s brothers, Thomas and Henry. Thomas and his wife Mary lived with their children at the Castle Hotel before he became licensee of the Belle Vue Hotel in Trefriw in 1882. He and Sarah were patrons of Conwy Valley artists, two of whom – John Dawson Watson and Buckley Ousey – are buried nearby and featured in our mini-tour of this cemetery. Thomas died in 1923.
Henry trained as a solicitor with William Hughes (also featured in this cemetery tour) in Conwy before running a practice in Chancery Lane, London. Poor health forced him to retire early. He lived at the Castle Hotel for his last years and died in 1902.
With thanks to Will Swales