Henry was born in Melbourne, Victoria, a son of Hampden Dutton and his wife Charlotte da Silva Dutton, née Cameron, a stepdaughter of Capt. John Finnis. Their families were notable in South Australian history; his uncle Francis Stacker Dutton was involved in the discovery and exploitation of the copper deposits near Kapunda and was later Premier of the colony. His parents moved to South Australia in December 1838 and settled for a while in Mount Barker. Hampden persuaded his younger brotherFrederick, who was then in Melbourne, to move to South Australia. This he did, in 1841 with the property "Koonunga" in partnership with Captain Bagot, then in 1843 acquired Finnis's property north east of Kapunda, which he renamed Anlaby. When Henry was five years old his father died; his mother either returned to, or remained in South Australia, living at Strangways Terrace, North Adelaide. Henry was educated at St. Peter's College, and in 1869 was working as a clerk then teller for the original Bank of South Australia, moving to Yankalilla around 1870, Brighton 1872, then around 1880 Mount Pleasant, where he was bank manager in 1890 when his uncle Frederick died, leaving him "Anlaby". Henry put a great deal of effort into the development of the "Anlaby" residence. What had started in 1841 as a shingle-covered hut built by overseer Alexander Buchanan and his wife Penelope Ann, née Haddrick he developed into what has been described as a "mansion, set in delightful surroundings". The property decreased in size and importance over the years: part was subdivided for "closer settlement", then another tranche was acquired by the State government for "soldier settlement", but Henry also acquired additional property: North Booborowie, near Burra, in partnership with John Melrose, and Koonowla orchard, on the road between Saddleworth and Auburn. When James Martin's engineering works in Gawler was liquidated in 1907, he purchased the business, and by enforcing some rationalization, kept the business viable within his lifetime, to the benefit of the town. See main article. He died after a few days' illness, diagnosed as having a blood clot on the brain. He was buried at Anlaby.
Yacht ''Adele''
Dutton was a member of the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron. His steam yacht Adele, built for him by Hawthorn and Co., Ltd., was one of the finest pleasure yachts in Australia. The yacht's dimensions were: The bulwarks were of steel, neatly paneled with teak and so arranged that they could be taken down when the yacht was laid up. Adele was fitted with steam and hand steering gear, teak and brass-mounted. The masts and bowsprit were of Oregon pine and the yacht was rigged as a schooner. There were eight cabins neatly paneled with polished hard woods, each containing lockers and drawers, dressing tables and wardrobes, and the wash basins had a hot and cold water supply. The guaranteed speed was 11.5 knots on a measured mile, and 11 knots for six hours. She carried four boats: Henry Way Rymill, for many years Commodore of the R.S.A.Y.S., was a godson of Henry Dutton, and recalled cruising with Dutton on Adele for three months every year. Adele was also on the register of the Royal Yacht Squadron at Cowes, and as Dutton was a member of it, he had the right to fly the White Ensign.
Other interests
Henry Dutton was a devoted Anglican, and while a bank employee supported the local Church: while living in Brighton he was a warden at St Jude's Church, Brighton and often served as organist. In 1896 he built a small church in Hamilton, near Anlaby, dedicated to the memory of his uncle, his wife, and daughter. The church, though of austere Norman architecture externally, was elaborately fitted out inside, and furnished with a pipe organ built by Frederick Taylor. This instrument proved unreliable and its replacement, by J. E. Dodd, was installed in 1914, and first played by Dutton's daughter-in-law, Emily Dutton.
Family
Henry Dutton married Helen Elizabeth Thomas on 10 May 1873. They had two children:
Ethel da Silva Dutton died after fall from rocks, Granite Island.
Henry Hampden Dutton inherited 'Anlaby' in 1914, and is remembered for his motoring exploits. He married Emily Martin, daughter of John Felix Martin of Gawler on 29 November 1905; their children included:
