.... The origin of the name Doveton ? ....
"The name Dufton is frequently pronounced as if it were spelt 'Doveton' and the line of so-called Dovetons of St. Helena was founded by a William Dufton who landed there in 1674 in the employ of the British East India Company. He sailed for the island in December 1673 from London in the 'Loyal Merchant' which had been 'hired' by the Company to take settlers and others in their employ to 'restock' the island settlement. This was after its recapture in May 1673 from a brief occupation by the Dutch, by a squadron of British ships and military personnel under the command of Capt. Richard Munden, R.N.
A supplement to the book has been issued, claiming that it has been proved that the founder of the 'Dovetons of St. Helena' was none other than a William Dufton, baptised at Hunslet Chapel, Leeds on 3rd July 1652. William was born on a visit to Leeds, and was the son of Henry Dufton of Richmond, North Yorks., whose family appear to have been stonemasons.
Many descendants were prosperous, serving in the Army and Civil Service in the India colonies etc., and some came back to England to retire, mainly in the West Country."
.... an excerpt from an early 1990's article by Bernard Dufton in the 'The Yorkshire Family Historian' in reference to the book 'The Dovetons of St. Helena' by Edward Carter, privately printed in Cape Town, 1973.
Thank You.
To Edgar Holroyd-Doveton who kindly supplied me with a copy of the book 'The Dovetons of St. Helena' and to those who have offered since.
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