The Myers family of Lincolnshire

David Thompson Myers

Born 1771 at Haile in Cumberland, second son of Rev David Myers, and baptised there 27 November 1771, and hanged at Peterborough 11 May 1812.

Seems to have carried on business in Ironmonger Street in Stamford as a milliner and draper from about 1801, though he went bankrupt in 1808 and reappears in the New Market Place in 1812.

The Ladies of Stamford and it's Neighbourhood are most respectfully informed that D. T. Myers' new, elegant, and extensive Assortment of MILLINERY and DRAPERY will be submitted for Inspection at his Ware-rooms on WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY the 9th and 10th of JUNE, and following Days. Stamford Mercury, 28 May 1802.

Early in 1812 he was arrested and charged with 'unnatural offences' (i.e. sodomy) with a boy named Thomas Crow. On 11 March 1812 he was tried at the Lincolnshire assizes and acquitted on all charges; the only witness was the boy Crow, who was held to be of a generally bad and disreputable character, and to be a common liar. Unfortunately for Myers, he was then taken to Peterborough and tried again, for another instance of the same crime (again with Crow), said to have been committed in a plantation at Burghley Park. This time there were several respectable corroborating witnesses, and Myers was found guilty and sentenced to death. A petition to the Prince Regent from his Uncle Rev John Myers was unsuccessful, and he was hanged at Peterborough on 4 May 1812, the last man to be publicly executed there. You can read more about this here. After his death, his confession was published.

He was married at Cambridge 2 May 1799 to Phoebe Crow. She was baptised at Wilburton, Cambridgeshire, 11 August 1774, daughter of George Crow and his wife Elizabeth, and died 11 December 1860 at her residence, 3 Rutland terrace, Stamford. Following her husband's execution, she seems to have carried on the business, until she sold up at the end of 1831:

SUMMER FASHIONS. MRS. MYERS most respectfully acknowledges the great kindness of a sympathizing public, afforded her under the distresses which have lately pressed so heavily upon her. Her gratitude, she can confidently say, commensurate with her sufferings ; and the only comfort which she has experienced under them, has arisen from the generous interest that has been taken in her forlorn condition. To the patronage of STAMFORD and its neighbourhood, encouraging her own humble but industrious exertions, she must now look for the support of her fatherless children. Nothing shall be wanting on her part, —and it would be the height of ingratitude in her to express distrust of assistance. Mrs M. begs to inform her friends, that her sister is at present in London, making a selection of fashionable and suitable articles of Ladies' Dress for the approaching season. These will be submitted to the inspection of the public on Monday next, the 25th inst. and she entreats the honor of their attention. The assortment will consist of every variety which can with propriety be included in the Millinery and Dress-making business; among other articles she may specify dresses, pelisses, mantles, cloaks &c. &c. &c. plain and figured sarsnets, muslins of every description; a valuable assortment of black and white lace, veils, tippets, &c. Gloves, fans, and parasols. Her approved corsets are made as usual. Stamford Mercury, Friday 22 May 1812

An Appeal to the public in behalf of Mrs. MYERS, Widow of the late D. T. Myers. THE public prints have recently been occupied with the particulars of the misfortunes that have befallen Mrs. Myers, through her connection with an unhappy husband, whose life has at length paid the forfeiture of his crimes. There is, therefore, no occasion to enter into a detail which would be harrassing to the feelings in one point of view, and very disgusting in another.— It need scarcely be observed, that, in a case of this nature, it is impossible that punishment should overtake the guilty, without involving the innocent in much of its severity. But it unfortunately happens, that in addition to mental suffering (which always has a disastrous effect on temporal concerns) the misconduct of the individual alluded to, has brought down on his family the evils of poverty, in their most substantial form. For many years his industrious and amiable wife (the object of this appeal) has been struggling to gain a subsistence for her children, and the fruits of her exertions have been squandered as soon as acquired, by her unhappy companion. If his ignominious death has relieved his family from a disgrace and a burthen, it has left them bowed down into the dust by affliction, and utterly unable to raise themselves from their prostrate state without assistance. It has been thought by the gentlemen, whose names are given below as vouchers for the truth of this appeal, that a case of so melancholy a description, is not likely to be submitted to the public in vain. Mrs. Myers is at present attempting to proceed in her business of Milliner, &c. in Stamford: —but debts incurred by the improvidence of her husband, frustrate her early exertions.— Unless she receive some present assistance, she must unavoidably fail in her meritorious endeavors to bring up her young family, in habits of respectability and virtue, which would bid fair to render the lives the children some compensation to society for the injury it has sustained through their father. To those who know Mrs. Myers, it is unnecessary to say a word in her behalf. Her good conduct has for years presented a striking contrast to the infamy to which she was (unfortunately for herself) too nearly connected, If patient, unassuming, but afflicted merit, has a claim on compassion, then ought the sufferings of this unhappy widow to plead powerfully for an exercise of liberality to alleviate them. His worship the Mayor of Stamford (Jeremiah Belgrave, Esq.), Mr. Alderman Heppenstall, and Mr. Octavius Gilchrist, of the same place, and the Rev. Mr. Myers, of Edenham desire to be considered responsible for the fidelity of this statement, and for the proper appropriation of such sums as may be subscribed for the use of the widow. Subscriptions will be received at the banking houses of Messrs. Bellairs and Son, Johnson and Eaton, and Edwards, Harper, and Co. Stamford. Also at the banking-houses of Messrs. Squire and Co.; Messrs. Cole, Hadley, and Co.; and Messrs. Boultbee and Cole, Peterborough. Stamford Mercury, 5 June 1812

WINTER FASHIONS. MRS. MYERS begs to return her most grateful acknowledgments to the public, by whose generous aid she has been enabled to overcome the difficulties to which she was exposed. The assistance which she has received by the liberal subscription entered into in her behalf, has, she trusts, given fresh energy to her exertions; and by a continuance of attention and industry, she hopes to make the only return in her power for the kindness she has experienced. Mrs. Myers is now in London, making her usual selection of winter fashions; and she believes she may confidently say, that it will this season be found peculiarly worthy the attention of her friends. No endeavour on her part is wanting to render it both extensive and well-assorted. Among other articles, she entreats the attention of the ladies to her Pelisses, Mantles, Cloaks, and Furs. Her dresses are selected of the most elegant style; and without specifying further particulars, she may say, that her general stock of Millinery will be found well worthy the attention of the public. Mrs. Myers begs to add, that her goods will be ready for inspection on WEDNESDAY next; on which day, and the succeeding THURSDAY and FRIDAY, she will be proud to receive her friends. P.S. Mrs. M. having engaged a Dress-maker from one of the first houses in town, ladies may depend on having their orders executed in the most fashionable manner. Stamford. Nov. 5, 1812. Stamford Mercury, 6 November 1812

There follows a list of the subscribers, headed by a gift of £100 by the Rev Mr Myers of Edenham.

Issue four sons and three daughters: