It is suggested in the Mona Miscellaney[1][2] that Sam Rutter was probably a native of Lancashire, educated at Westminster school, and elected from there in 1623, to Christ Church, Oxford.[3] He was nominated as Archdeacon of Man in 1640. He was appointed Prebendary of Longden, in the cathedral of Lichfield (being M.A.) 24 November 1660.
He was a chaplain to the James Stanley, 7th Earl of Derby, and was at Lathom House during its first siege. He was also "the chosen friend counsellor, and afterwards chaplain, of the noble-minded Countess, during all her troubles, and it was principally through her influence that he succeeded to the bishopric."
He is reported as having been "grave and devout, temperate and dignified, and unfortunately was worn out, though not an old man, when he became a bishop, and died in the Isle of Man" on 30 May 1663. (see Stanley Papers, part iii. vol. i. pp. cxxx.-ii., note; Chetham Society)
His body was interred in the chancel of the old Peel St German's Cathedral in Peel Castle and there one can find an inscription, that he is alleged to have written himself. A translation of it reads as follows:
In this house which I have borrowed from my brothers the worms
in the hope of the resurrection to life
lie I SAM by divine grace Bishop of this Island.
Stay reader, behold and laugh at the Bishop's palace.
He wrote numerous pieces of poetry for the Earl of Derby's amusement, but not many of them have been published.
A detailed biography of Rutter has been written by A.W. Moore. This can be found in the Manx Note Book vol ii no.8 p159. Rutter's Ballads may be found in Mona Miscellany.[5]
^Mona Miscellany, A Selection Of, Proverbs, Sayings, Ballads, Customs, Superstitions, And Legends, Peculiar To The Isle Of Man, Collected And Edited, By William Harrison, Author Of 'Bibliotheca Monensis, Douglas, Isle Of Man, Printed For The Manx Society, MDCCCLXIX
