The Sutton Family: A Musical Legacy

By Kenton Poole, Naples Historical Society

When John Sutton (born in 1783) of Connecticut relocated his large family to Naples NY, no one could have foreseen the ramifications of what that move would mean to Naples, NY, Western New York and New York itself. He also carried with him the “chops” of a bugler; a musical skill that traced its way through the family, ending in 1960 with the death of his grandson, music teacher William Sutton, in Rochester, NY.

The marriage of John and Judith Hawes produced outstanding musician Myron Sutton and daughter Mary ‘Polly’ Sutton. Myron went on to produce many noted musicians. His sister Zilpha married successful Naples farmer Myron Holley Clark (born in 1806), the son of John's sister, Mary Sutton (1782-1866). After holding a number of Ontario County and National political positions, Myron Clark was elected the Whig Governor of New York State in 1855 to 1856 (two year term); then returned to Canandaigua where he owned a hardware store. Their daughter Mary married Frederick Thompson, the son of a prominent New York banker. Together they transformed 150 acres in Canandaigua, NY into what is now known as Sonnenberg Gardens and Mansion. If that wasn’t enough, from his second marriage after the death of Judith Hawes, to neighbor Mary Louisa Clement, came highly regarded musician George Washington Sutton.

But it was Myron Clark Sutton (born in 1825) whose marriage to Mary Louisa Clement really got the musical ball rolling. Not only was he an accomplished brass musician but also excelled on the violin. He organized and instructed the 148th regiment NY Military Band. By 1850 he had organized the famous Sutton Cornet Band that concertized and paraded all over Western New York, bringing home accolades and an ever increasing following. They played for almost 30 years on summertime Saturday nights in the village bandstand located in the park at the corner of Mill and Main Street [now Flory Park]. They were the rock stars of their day.

Myron’s wife died and he married Olive Case of Kanona, NY. Their son George Washington Sutton (born in 1846, in the Naples’ homestead) moved to Bath, where he eventually became the band master of the Soldiers and Sailors Band. After ten years, they moved to Wallace, NY where he was appointed the musical director of the Shattuck Opera House and band director of the 47th  Separate Companies Band playing out of the new Hornellsville Armory. His bands paraded and concertized throughout western New York to great acclaim. He was affectingly known as Professor.

Scott Sutton

Myron’s marriage to Mary Clement continued to produce musicians. Scott Roselle Sutton (born in 1849), was a cornet player for the Sutton Cornet Band. Scott's jewelry skills led to the development of the famous Sutton Spoon used by fishermen all over the world.  When you walk through the Sutton Company Store in Naples, NY, you are walking in the footsteps of cornetist Scott Sutton.

Owen Eugene Sutton (born in 1854), was also a cornet player, violinist, and composer who wrote music and method books used extensively in the music instruction profession. At the age of 25 he was in Rochester conducting and playing in well-regarded bands.

His son Harry Owen (born in 1882) grew up in Naples playing his aunt's piano. He spent his short professional life in New York City as a noted Broadway musician and composer known even today for his song ‘I Don’t Care’ performed by Eva Tanguay. Upon his early death in 1911 he left behind an extensive body of musical work.

William R. Sutton (born in 1869 in Wallace, NY) carried on his father George’s tradition. Initially he played percussion in and then directed the Soldiers and Sailors home in Bath, NY. In 1914 he moved his family to Rochester, NY where he played in hotel bands and played string bass for the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra. He taught music in the Rochester Public School System and to almost his dying day was involved in community based music activities. With his death in 1960 came an end to the band master tradition of this family.

______________________________________________________________

What you have read here is just a sampling of the information available in the tome Naples Community Bands written by Kenton Poole and published by the Naples Historical Society. The book goes on to investigate the musical lives and bands of Albert ‘Pete’ Dunton, Naples band master until 1930; the development of Naples Fife and Drum Corp in of 1976; and ending with the 15 year run of the Naples Community Band.

Please contact nhsnyinfo@gmail.com to order your copy of the book. Suggested donation $20.00. All proceeds go to curating the musical history of Naples.