Hymns / Music :: Lawrence Tuttiett

The following text was adapted from a talk given by Gareth J. Tuttiett, to the Somerset & Dorset Family History Society, at Street Library, Somerset, United Kingdom, in 1991.

John [Tuttiett]’s youngest son, Lawrence (sometimes spelt Laurence, but in the Parish Register, it is definitely Lawrence) was born in Colyton, Devon, and baptised on 31 October 1825. He, like his two brothers, Frank and Henry, was educated at Christ’s Hospital and at King’s College, London, where he became under the influence of Maurice and Kingsley. He intended to devote himself to the study medicine but was called to Holy Orders in 1848. By 1849, he had become a priest, and the following year became curate at St. Paul’s, Wilton Place, Knightsbridge. Then in 1850, he became curate of St. Thomas’ and later Holy Trinity in Ride, on the IOW. He was off again, in 1853 to become Curate at Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire.

The Reverend Lawrence was instituted as Curate at Lea Marston, Warwickshire, in 1854, and from September 1868 until towards the end of 1869 he was vicar. The annual vestry meetings show that he regularly took the chair. In 1854, Lawrence married Helen Carnegy and they lived at Marston Parsonage. Helen Hunter, their daughter, was christened on the 14th October, 1855 and Lawrence, as curate, performed the ceremony himself.

He was an active member of the Parent Society, and in 1859, he visited Swansea for the meeting of the National Education Society of Swansea. The Cambrian, of 9th September, 1859, has a paragraph, in which Lawrence speaks in support of the resolution to give £550 to the Swansea National Schools. I quote, “The Rev. L Tuttiett, deputation from the Parent Society, seconded the resolution, and in doing so referred to the necessity which still existed for the establishment of schools in rural and agricultural districts. He also contended that one of the fundamental principles of the National Society was, that the church catechism should be taught in every school where assistance was granted. This he maintained, as a member of the established church, was necessary, and could not be abandoned without impairing the efficiency of the whole system of the educa­tion now taught in these schools.”

1870 saw him move north of the border, to St. Andrews, Perthshire, to take up the post of rector. Things really took off in 1877; he was nominated as Canon of St. Ninian’s Cathedral, Perthshire; where he remained until his death on 21 June 1897 at his residence at 3 Abbotsford Crescent, St. Andrew’s. According to the Death Roll for Lawrence, which appeared in the Daily Chronicle, 24th May, 1897, “At St. Andrews, which is crowded in the golfing season with English visitors, he attracted to his beautiful church many distinguished men, and was particularly a friend of the late Prince Leopold. To the students at St. Mary’s College, in the university, he was ever kind, helpful, and considerate, and was wont to delight them with reminiscences of his own laborious days at King’s College, London.”

Lawrence wrote many poems, devotional and theological books, but is better known for his hymns, the most well known being, “Father let me dedicate.” John Julian in his work Dictionary of Hymnology states, “Mr. Tuttiett’s hymns are characterised by smoothness of rhythm, direction of aim, simplicity of language, and deep earnestness. Those for special services and seasons are of great merit.” Among his best hymns were “Father, Let me Dedicate” for New Year and “Go forward, Christian Soldier” for Confirmation.