Throughout the 18th Century, there was a clandestine love story taking place between William Burton II – the very first owner of Hotham Hall Estate, and his love interest, Dorothy Anderson. Their romantic relationship was filled with secret correspondence and familial opposition. Dorothy was the daughter of Sir Edmund Anderson of Kilnwick Percy. Sir Edmund had not wanted his daughter to marry William.
In a touching love letter to Miss Anderson in Autumn 1750, William writes; ‘Altho I am deny’d by Sr Edmund the pleasure of seeing you at Kilwick you may be very certain that you are constantly attend’d by my Prayers & earnest wishes for your Happiness.’
At the time the letters were written, William Burton was 27 years old, and Dorothy was younger, nearer 20, her date of birth unknown. The reasons for Sir Edmunds aversion to William was never revealed in the writings.
Thankfully, the story ends happily, when on 11th March 1751, William Burton II married Dorothy. 💍
William Burton II died in 1764 without an heir and Hotham Hall passed to his brother Robert Burton.
