Samuel Hutchins
Mayor of Oxford 1912/13
Samuel Hutchins was born on 5 July 1849 at Long Lawford, near Rugby, the son of Charles and Elizabeth Hutchins (both of whom were born in c.1817 at Long Lawford). He was educated at the Wesleyan School in Rugby.
The 1861 census shows Samuel (11) living at Long Lawford with his parents and his siblings William (16), Elizabeth (14), Charles (9), Ann (4) and John (2 months).
By 1871 Samuel (21) was a carpenter, living with his parents in Newbold on Avon, where his father was a farmer of 13 acres.
On 12 April 1877 Hutchins married Louisa Bloxham of Leamington at St Mary’s Church in Leamington. Soon after his marriage he came to Oxford as a representative of Parnell & Sons, the Rugby builders who started to build Keble College in 1878.
Hutchins and his wife had five children:
- Fanny Louisa Hutchins (born c. 1877)
- Florence Hutchins (born c. 1879)
- Elizabeth Hutchins (born c. 1882)
- Charles Hutchins (born c. 1888)
- Robert Hutchins (born c. 1899)
Two years after his marriage, Hutchins started a building business of his own in Oxford. The 1881 census shows him at the age of 31 living at Clifton Villa in Farndon Road with his wife and his first two daughters.
At the time of the 1891 and 1901 censuses, the family was living at 17 Kingston Road.
Hutchins was elected as a Liberal Unionist for the North Ward in November 1893. He acted as Chairman of the Waterworks Committee, and served on the Highways & Lighting, Housing & Town-Planning, and Watch Committees. He was also a member of the Oxford Board of Guardians.
Hutchins was Sheriff of Oxford at the time of the great Oxford Pageant of 1906.
The 1911 census shows Hutchins (61) living at 157 Woodstock Road with Louisa (56) and Fanny Louisa (33), Henry (23), and Robert (11), and one servant. Henry was then assisting his father in his business.
In 1921 Hutchins was elected Mayor of Oxford (for 1912/13), and acted as deputy Mayor for the two following years. By this time he was living at 157 Woodstock Road.
Hutchins was President of Cherwell Rifle Club, an Honorary Member of the Albion Lodge of Druids, and President of the SS Philip & James’s Horticultural Society.
See also:
- Oxford Journal Illustrated, 16 June 1915, p. 9 ("Who’s Who in Oxford", including photograph)
- 1881 Census: Oxford (St Giles), 1499/96
- 1891 Census: Oxford (St Giles), 1166/4
- 1901 Census: Oxford (SS Philip & James), 1381/76