The Church, dedicated to St. Stephen, described by Weir in his “History of Lincolnshire” (vol. i. p. 296, Ed. 1828), as a small building, possessing no claim to attention, and by Saunders (vol. ii. p. 71, Ed. 1834) in nearly the same terms, was at that time in the gift of the well-known, somewhat eccentric, but popular member for Lincoln, Colonel Sibthorpe; the Rev. H. W. Sibthorpe being Rector. In 1863 it was in the gift of G. W. Sibthorpe, Esq., and in 1869 in that of Coningsby C. Sibthorpe, Esq., being then held by the Rev. C. E. Jarvis. The latter resigned in 1891, since which time it has been held by the Rev. W. T. Beaty-Pownall, who has a good rectory house, built in 1871, at a cost of £1,300 the late Mr. James Fowler being the Architect. It does not appear to have been long in the patronage of the Sibthorpe family, as in 1711 the patrons were Sir Richard Wynch, Bart., and Rebecca Wynch, widow; while in 1750, and again 1780 Sir Robert Lawley, Bart, presented. The trustees of W. H. Sibthorpe, Esq., are first-named as patrons in 1824. In the calendar (No. 1), of Institutions to Benefices, from 1540 to 1570 preserved in the Alnwick Tower, Old Palace, Lincoln (“Architect. Soc. Journal,” 1897) fol. 22b. 176, we find “William Mershall, clerk, pres. by W. Dighton of the City of Lincoln, gent., to the church of Hattone, vac. by the resignation of Sir William Smith; inst. Vicar, A.D. 1550.” {93} The Dightons were originally a mercantile family, of Lincoln, who filled the offices of Mayor and Sheriff, and amassed fortunes. One of them, Robert, became owner of Old Stourton Magna Hall, the moated remains of which can still be traced in a field about a mile to the west beyond the Stourton Parva plantations. A daughter of Thomas Dighton of that place, married Edward Clinton of Baumber, who afterwards became Earl of Lincoln. In the parish Register of Stourton Magna is the entry “Alice ye wife of Rob Diton was buried ye 14 Jany. 1688,” and as there are no later entries of the name, this Robert was probably the last to reside there. There were other Dightons at Waddingworth and Horkstow. We find, however, earlier notices of Dightons residing in Hatton. In 1544 by his will, dated 1 May, “John Dighton of Hatton” requests to be “buried in the churchyard of St. Elwold in Hatton.” He leaves a bequest for his brother, “Robert Dighton, parson of Haltham,” and the residue to his wife, Agnes, his executrix; his two fathers-in-law, Thomas Dighton and William Chatterton, being “supervisors.” He evidently died early in life. As to the expression “the churchyard of St. Elwold,” there seems to be no explanation forthcoming. Possibly there was a chapelry in the parish, with separate burial grounds. In 1606 we find another John Dighton, residing at Minting, who, by his will, dated 28 Dec. of that year, leaves 40s. to the poor of Baumber, Minting, and Hatton. Other names in connection with this parish are as follows:—Among Lincoln Wills