The portrait depicts Robert Pregieon or Robert Pregion Hurton (c.1722–1788), who was curate and subsequently Rector at Doddington. Hurton was the son of a Lincolnshire yeoman and attended Apley School, Lincoln, matriculating in 1740. Hurton was admitted as a pensioner at St John’s College, Cambridge, aged eighteen, receiving his BA 1743–4 and MA 1747. He was ordained deacon 22 September 1745 and became curate to the non-resident rector at Doddington, George Wilson. He was ordained priest 20 September 1747 by the bishop of Lincoln. The same year he was instituted vicar of Crowle, Lincolnshire, on the presentation of John Kent, Joseph Peart and Elizabeth Morton. He remained vicar of Crowle until 1752. From 1749 to 1787 he was vicar of Stainton-by-Langworth, and perpetual curate of Barlings, Lincolnshire. In March 1770 Hurton was appointed rector at Doddington under the patronage of Sir John Delaval until his death in early in 1788.¹

The portrait was probably made in 1747, following Hurton’s appointment to the curacy at Doddington and the award of his master’s degree. The picture was commissioned presumably by or on behalf of Hurton. It was acquired recently for the collection at Doddington by James Birch.²