He lived at the country house of Holmwood, Redditch, Worcestershire, which he had built for him in 1892–3 by Temple Lushington Moore (the architect was his nephew by marriage).
The family had a strong Christian upbringing, and despite their vast wealth devoted their life to helping others, giving away large sums of money, building churches (notably in Ullenhall, the estate village of Barrells Hall) and donating to hospitals and various charities.
Having been educated at St John's College, Cambridge, where he was a Foundation Scholar, and graduating with Mathematical Honours in 1864,[1] he turned to the Church for his career and life's work.
While incumbent there he was noted for his generosity and kindness, giving away many millions of pounds including circa £500,000 (in 2009 money) for the rebuilding of Driffield Church from his own wealth.
Canon Newton married twice: Firstly to Frances (Fanny) Storrs in 1866, the younger daughter of Dr Robert Storrs of Doncaster, the first Doctor to note the connection with cleanliness and infection during child birth, years before the more famous Ignaz Semmelweis.