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Sir William Chaytor, 1st Baronet (29 April 1771 – 28 January 1847)[1] was a British politician and businessman.
Chaytor was the illegitimate son of William Chaytor, by Jane Lee (they were later married).
He had banking interests and was a major landowner in north east England. He owned Witton Park, the estate of Witton Castle, within which he developed the Witton Park Colliery. He became a board member of the Stockton and Darlington Railway which served the pit. The architect Ignatius Bonomi extended Witton Castle and built the Croft Spa Hotel and the now-demolished Clervaux Castle near Croft for Chaytor.
Chaytor was made a baronet in 1831. He served as a Whig Member of Parliament for Sunderland from 1832 to 35 and was a supporter of Earl Grey and of the Reform Act 1832. He was appointed High Sheriff of Durham in 1839.[2]
Chaytor was married to Isabella (1781–1854). Their eldest son, also William Chaytor, was also a Member of Parliament.