J. Scott Hutton was the principle of the Deaf and Dumb Institute in Halifax, Nova Scotia starting in the summer of 1857. This was only a few months after Robert G. Tupper, son of Samuel and Martha, started at the school. Apparently being the principle also meant that Mr. Hutton also taught, as Robert was described as his pupil. According to Robert's obituary, Mr. Hutton served as an interpreter at Robert's wedding (to Ruth Elizabeth Bentley).