Description: From the Scarsdale Photo album given as birthday gift from Elsie to Dot in 1910.
The gentleman is possibly dressed in dress uniform rather than footman's livery judging by other photographs that appear in the same album.
The beautiful residence known as Sutton Rock, a short distance from Sutton Scarsdale Hall was built after 1876. It was built by William Arkwright, Esq. who in 1876 was a minor.
In 1895 Charles Stuart Cockburn occupied. He was an Estate Agent for the Sutton Scarsdale Estate Office. Sutton Rock was sold in 1919 along with the Sutton Scarsdale Estate.
Sutton Scarsdale Hall was originally built in the 17th century, but was remodelled into one of the finest Baroque mansions in the county by Francis Smith of Warwick in 1724.At this time the house was owned by Nicholas, fourth Earl of Scarsdale.
The earl died whilst heavily in debt due to the lavish rebuilding of the hall he had commissioned. The hall, and all its estates, were purchased by Godfrey Clarke of Somersall whose son Godfrey was lord of the manor until 1786.
Between 1820 and 1919, the hall was in the possession of the Arkwright Family, but was sold by William Arkwright to Haslam Construction Ltd. This company stripped the house of all of its furnishings, and took the roof and some masonry for other construction projects.
By 1946, the building had deteriorated to such an extent that arrangements were made to demolish it. However, three days before the demolition machinery were due to move in on the hall the shell was saved by Sir Osbert Sitwell, who was persuaded to buy it by a local resident Harold Taylor.
The hall was later given over to the Department of the environment in the late 1960's. In 1971 emergency repairs were started to secure the building from further decay, and it is now possible to walk around the preserved ruins.