Lost painting hobbyist Cliff Thornton believes former Barnard Castle magistrate Abraham Hilton is the subject of a painting held by the Beamish Museum.
Mr Hilton lived on Galgate and was chairman of the town council in 1900.
Mr Thornton said he’d trawled archive and census records to track down who the painting by artist Sheldon Longbottom featured.
He added: “The artist has included Abraham’s dog in the painting.
“When on his death bed, in 1902, Mr Hilton asked one of his executors to see that his ‘faithful dog Joe was looked after’.”
Archives reveal how Mr Hilton put on meals for poor people and funded children’s parties as well as establishing charities for the elderly and infirm. Mr Thornton wants to see the “Old gentleman with a Jack Russell leaving an off licence” painting renamed in his honour.
He said: “He had been a well-known character in the town, as well as further afield in Durham and North Yorkshire.
“He was so well-known and respected that people from Barnard Castle who travelled outside the area were often asked if they knew Mr Hilton.”
A blue plaque marks where Mr Hilton lived at 33 Galgate and he is buried on the Teesdale Way, near Cotherstone.
Aged in his 80s in 1900, it is believed few photos exist of Mr Hilton due to his aversion to cameras.
However, one picture captured him while he was not looking in November 1900 and Mr Thornton thinks the photo was used as a template for the picture.
“I would be grateful if any of your readers have any stories about Mr Hilton, or can confirm if this painting is of him,” added Mr Thornton.
“Hopefully Beamish Museum will retitle the painting, and give Abraham Hilton the credit which he deserves for all his good works.”
If you have information on Abraham Hilton, email Mr Thornton on cthornton@ blueyonder.co.uk
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