BUTCHER'S YARD.

 

Is situate in the most important part of the parish, viz., in the Market Place, between Miller and Co.'s and the Mansfield and Sutton Co-operative Society's premises. Its insignificance is in all probability due to the fact that it has no public outlet, and, therefore, cannot be used for public traffic, it being the only "ways and means" to reach the several cottage homes therein. Its history, however, will be interesting, for the name it hears was probably about 140 years ago the most honoured in the parish, and a name that is still revered. Where Mr. William and Elizabeth Butcher (after whom the yard is called) came from to Sutton about the time mentioned we are unable to state, but in this much we are certain that they were a family of opulence, and that, by their generous benefactions to the inhabitants, became an influential and honoured family in the town. Their drapery business was the leading one of its kind in the whole neighbourhood. and it is believed, too, that they built all the property which once stood from Miller and Cos premises on to Wood Street, and also owned the then extensive orchard at the rear. The changes which have been effected here from time to time have been remarkable, but the most drastic was in 1887 (the late Queen Victoria's Jubilee year), when Victoria Street was constructed right through the centre of the orchard, and now in place of the many tall trees which formerly abounded there (and which were planted by the late Mr. Richard Buckland) is to be seen some of the smartest buildings in the parish, notably, the Congregational Church. The orchard used to be enclosed by a high and substantial wall along New Street, High Pavement, and Wood Street, and a portion of the ground was set apart as a bowling green. The late Mr. Samuel Shepherd, the proprietor of the Red, White, and Blue Inn before it was brought up to its up-to-date style, becoming ihe tenant of the Orchard, and being an intimate acquaintance of the late Mr. Butcher, it subseouently was known as "Shepherd's Orchard.'' The houses at the top of the Market Place had pleasant gardens joining on to it, the one occupied by Mr. G. Coombe being now the only one left. William Butcher died January 12th, 1832, aged 65, and his wife (Elizabeth) on December 17th, 1818, aged 50. It is said that the former died suddenly near to Westfield House, either on his way to the Parish Church to be present at his daughter's wedding, or on his return. (They did not ride in carriages to Church in those days!) Needless to state, his sudden demise cast quite a gloom over the town, deceased having been held in high esteem by the inhabitants. Several members of the family are buried in Sutton churchyard, the last to be buried there being Mr. Herbert Butcher, who died May 1st, 1878, aged 71. He lived for a number of years with the late Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Buckland in Wood Street. Descendants of the family are now to be found at Kidderminster. The Butcher property in the Market Place was probably more of a business centre a century or so ago than even it is to-day, and there are several alive now who can well remember the late Mr. Matthew Dodson (grocer), Mr. Robert Judd (draper), Mr. R. Littlewood (chemist). Dr. S. T. Hall, and Dr. Valentine living there, and subsequently Mr. George Oscroft, Mr. J. Haslam, Mr. George Allsop, Mr. Ben Butterworth, Mr. H. S. Charlton, Mr. F. W. Buck, Mr. R. Charlton, and finally Messrs. F. C. Smith and H. A. Smith, bankers, Nottingham (who became the purchasers of a large portion of the estate), and Messrs. Miller and Co. The Parochial Offices also used to be attached to this block of buildings. Over 60 years ago the Sunday School scholars "walked round" the beautiful gardens in the Orchard each year at Whitsuntide.