John McHutchin, (1787 – 14 March 1847) was a Manx lawyer who successively became High Bailiff of Douglas, Second Deemster and Clerk of the Rolls in the Isle of Man. Biography Early life John McHutchin was born in Peel, Isle of Man; his year of birth is not precisely known. In the Manx Notebook it is given as 1788, but his obituary in the Isle of Man Times of 20 March 1847 lists the year as 1787. His father, Gilbert McHutchin, came from Scotland and arrived on the Isle of Man around 1785 (although again this is subject to conjecture). Initially taking employment as an agent for Sir George Moore, Speaker of the House of Keys, McHutchin's father held the post of Constable of Peel for many years. His mother, Catherine Dawson, came from a Manx family; McHutchin's parents married in 1785. The marriage of Gilbert McHutchin and Catherine Dawson produced four children: two sons and two daughters. McHutchin's younger sister, Margaret, married John Gell and was the mother of Sir James Gell. His brother, Gilbert, also became and advocate working at the Rolls Office where the young James Gell was articled. Although not from a wealthy background, McHutchin received the rudiments of his education as a free scholar at Peel Grammar School and then from the Reverend Joseph Stowell and John Stowell, brothers of Thomas Stowell. McHutchin was subsequently articled to Thomas Stowell who was appointed Clerk of the Rolls in 1804 following the death of Mark Hidesley Quayle. Professional career In 1808 McHutchin was admitted to the Bar and was a successful lawyer. His ability in his chosen field had already been noticed when, at the age of 20, he was appointed Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of Man, Cornelius Smelt, prior to the completion of his studies. The position was one which he held for two years. In 1810 McHutchin was appointed to the Seneschal's Office in Douglas, and following the appointment as Second Deemster of Thomas Gawne in 1816, McHutchin was appointed High Bailiff of Douglas under the patronage of the Duke of Athol, the appointment being made with a view to using him judicially with regard to the green crop tithe question. McHutchin was appointed Deemster to the northern district in 1819 and in 1821, on the death of Thomas Stowell, he was made the Clerk of the Rolls at the unusually