Basket making
Stutton Water Mill Circa 1900
The district is also famous for it’s milk white magnesian limestone which has been quarried since Roman times and was used in the construction of York Minster and much local property. Whilst quarries are scattered throughout the area the most important and historic are those located in the dry valley just north of Stutton called 'Thevesdale' supposedly meaning 'valley of thieves' Located in the valley is the Jackdaw quarry which 100 years ago was a local beauty spot for picnics.
On a more sinister note the infamous ‘Battle of Towton’ took place on Palm Sunday 1461 some 3 miles down the Cock Valley between Towton and Saxton. This was during the War of the Roses between the Houses of York and Lancaster. It was the bloodiest and cruellest battle which ever took place on English soil with an estimated 20,000 killed. The Cock Beck is said to have run red with the blood of the dead. The routed Lancastrian forces fled towards Tadcaster through Stutton before a further slaughter took place in the town.
A map of the district from 1771 (Survey by Jeffery)
Today Stutton comprises two parallel lanes, Manor Road and Church Crescent, these connect to Church Lane, Weedling Gate, Green Lane and Malt Kiln Terrace.
Mill Lane connects Manor Road with the old Tadcaster and Pontefract turnpike road opened in the 18th Century. On Mill Lane the remains of the water mill show up as a stone wall with two bricked up arches and a marsh where the old mill pool and race were once located. The mill was mentioned in the 11th Century and was rebuild a number of times over the centuries. In the 19th Century it was run by William Clough and later by the Copping family. It closed around 1900 and became derelict, the ruin was used by the fire brigade as a practice area during the second world war before been finally demolished.
On Church Crescent is St. Aidan’s C of E Church. It was the inspiration of an Archbishop, who driving between Grimston and Stutton learned of the lack of a C of E church in the village, the villagers having to travel into Tadcaster. He persuaded local folk into the building of the Church, a wooden building, which was dedicated on the 18th February 1900. The land belonging to William Sykes, a director of John Smith Tadcaster brewery, and in 1946 his widow Jessie Agnes Sykes donated it to the York diocese. The oak pulpit was carved in 1877 and came from Tadcaster Church following the heightening and rebuilding that took place there in 1875 to prevent flooding damage.
The Hare and Hounds public house on Manor Road is owned by Sam Smiths Brewery and is popular throughout the area. It was once known as the Greyhound Inn and had a shop attached. It is Grade II listed and has a plaque above the front door inscribed “MEE 1730” In the mid-18th Century it was run by the Stothard family and in 1867 by William Mortimer.
Next door to the Hare and Hounds is Manor House, a farm house with an inscription “JH 1697” During the 1960/70 many new properties were built within the village including the area between Manor Lane and Church Crescent, this area included the old Pinfold area, where stray animals were kept until claimed by their owners.
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