DUTTON, a township in that part of the parish of
GREAT-BUDWORTH which is in the hundred of BUCKLOW,
county palatine of CHESTER, 1 mile (B.) from
Frodsham, containing 325 inhabitants. This place, called
in Domesday-book Duntune, was the seat of the ancient
family of Dutton, who exercised peculiar authority
over the musicians and minstrels of the county, requiring
them to pay suit and service at a court held before the
lord of Dutton, or his deputy, at Chester, every year on
Midsummer-day, and to take out a license for the
exercise of their calling. Though the right is still
reserved to the proprietors of the manor of Dutton, no
court has been held since 1756. One side of Dutton
Hall, erected in 1542, is still standing, furnishing a
remarkably rich relic of the domestic architecture of
that period. The Grand Trunk canal passes through
the parish. Dutton  gives the title of baron to the
family of Douglas, Dukes of Hamilton.