The Reverend John Myers of Edenham
Born ca. 1739 at Millom in Cumberland, son of John Myers of Dunningwell, and Hannah his wife, and baptised at Thwaites 21 Sept 1739. Buried in Bradford Cathedral 16 April 1821. His will.
At Shipley Hall, near Bradford, on the 11th inst., in the 83d year of his age, the Rev. John Myers, for many years Domestic Chaplain at Grimsthorpe Castle, rector of Wyberton, and Vicar of Swinstead, in this county; greatly regretted by a large circle of highly respectable acquaintance in and around Bradford, both as an experienced Magistrate, and an amiable and hospitable neighbour. By the poor his loss will be deeply felt, as he was ever ready to afford them his assistance. His remains were interred in Bradford church on Monday last. The reverend gentleman survived his fourth wife only 17 days. He had been for nearly half a century in the commission of the peace for his county, and was also a Magistrate for the West Riding of the county of York. Stamford Mercury, 20 April 1821
Seems to have started out as a schoolteacher at Gosforth, prior to being ordained as a deacon on 11 September 1763 (Letters about this) and taking up a position as a curate at Haile and then Whitehaven. He was then ordained a minister 1 November 1765 (Letters about this), and first signs the marriage register at Edenham on 1 April 1766. Perpetual curate of Edenham from about 1766 - 1821. Vicar of Swinstead, Lincolnshire, 27 February 1771 until his death (patron: the crown); Rector of Somerby with Great Humby, Lincolnshire, 10 Jun 1771 - 5 February 1789 (patron: Peregrine, Duke of Ancaster); Domestic Chaplain to the Duke of Ancaster from 1779; Rector of Wyberton from 4 February 1789 (patron: himself). Following his fourth marriage (below), he seems to have moved to Bradford; appointed a J.P. of the West Riding in 1803.
The Rev. John Myers, Clerk, Curate of Edenham, and Vicar of Swinested in Lincolnshire, is instituted to the Rectory of Somerby cum Humby, near Grantham, void by the death of the Rev Mr. Farringdon Reid, and worth 200l. a year; on the presentation of his Grace the Duke of Ancaster. Leeds Intelligencer, 25 June 1771
Sunday last the Rev. Mr. Myers, (domestic chaplain to His Grace the Duke of Ancaster, and one of His Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the county of Lincoln) did the whole duty at the Old Church, both parts of the day, to very numerous and genteel congregations. Mr. Myers was, about twenty years ago, resident clergyman in this town; and has, since then, on a variety of occasions, rendered very essential services to numbers of young gentlemen from this neighbourhood, educated for the church, &. —Which conduct has, as may naturally be supposed, drawn upon him an unusual degree of respect, from the connexions of those who have been benefitted by his kindness, and from the public in general. Cumberland Pacquet, and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser, Wednesday 5 October 1785
On Wednesday the 4th inst. the Rev. Mr Myers, of Edenham in Lincolnshire, was collated by the Bishop of Lincoln in to the Rectory of Wyberton, near Boston in the said County, (worth 700l. per annum) on his own position; he being the legal patron thereof. – The perpetual Advowson of the Rectory was purchased for Mr. Myers, in the month of August last, by Mr. Stanley Marshall, of Frieston in Lincolnshire, (formerly of Calderbridge in this County) for five thousand guineas, and became vacant the 5th of October, by the death of the Rev. J. Shaw, LL. D., the last incumbent, who sold the living. The rectory-house, at Wyberton, which is modern-built, and a very elegant edifice, cost the late incumbent (with the gardens, fish-ponds, and plantations annexed to it) six thousand pounds. – Mr. Myers had 3,000 guineas offered, in advance, for his purchase, within one month after it was made. Cumberland Pacquet, and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser, 18 February 1789
The Rev. John Myers, of Shipley-Hall, near Bradford, Yorkshire, (one his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace, for the counties of York and Lincoln) has been presented (by HARGAT DOVE, Esq ) to the perpetual curacy of Cowbit, near Spalding, Lincolnshire, worth upwards of 600l. per annum ); tenable with his livings of Edenham, Swinstead, and Wyberton, (all in the fame county) the last of which is of the annual value of 900l. Cumberland Pacquet, and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser, 12 February 1805 {n.b. It does not seem that this happened; Joseph Cragg was appointed instead).
John Myers (Curate from 1768 - 1774) The last named gentleman was for many years domestic chaplain at Grimsthorpe Castle rector of Wyberton vicar of Swineshead and for nearly fifty years in the commission of the peace for the county of Lincoln. He died at Shipley Hall near Braceford on the 11th of April 1821, aged 83. A memorandum (placed in my hands by the Rev J Birch Reynardson, in which Mr Myers name appears) was made by one of Mr Reynardson's ancestors at the time and is well worth preserving among the clerical anecdotes of Lincolnshire in the last century. It shows that however the country clergy might spend the last six days of the week, the first was anything but a day of rest for them. I give the memorandum verbatim:— 1st November, 1772, Sunday. — Mr Myers and his curate from Edenham went first to Creeton; they read prayers; Myers preached and administered the Sacrament. The curate went on, read prayers and preached at Little Bytham; Myers followed and administered the Sacrament. Then the curate, named Marshall, rode on to Holywell and read prayers, and before the Second Lesson, Myers came into church, and preached and administered the Sacrament. The curate left the church and proceeded to do duty at Swayfield, and thence to do the same at Edenham. Myers from Holywell went to perform morning service at Swinstead, and dine with Lord Brownlow Bertie,— as Myers said. (Note) Was a quarter past 12 before the curate came to Holywell, 'tho the appointed time was half-past eleven. 7th August 1774 - Myers served Edenham, Grimsthorpe Chapel, Creeton, Swinstead, Swayfield, Castle Bytham, the feast day 4 o'clock; Mr Marshall - Little Bytham, Holywell, Morton and Hacconby. The history of Castle Bytham, The Rev John Wild, 1871.
Married four times, and outlived each of this wives:
Married firstly on 14 July 1763 at Gosforth, Cumberland, to Ann Walton (nee Thompson), widow of James Walton and daughter of Abraham and Anne Thompson of Egremont. She was buried 11 April 1785 at Edenham, Lincolnshire. She had a daughter Elizabeth by her first marriage, who married the Rev Thomas Hamilton of Guiseley.
Married secondly on 25 July 1786 at Cambridge, to Catherina Fox. She was baptised at Fleet, Lincolnshire, 13 August 1735, and was buried at Edenham 11 August 1796.
Married thirdly on 14 November 1797 at St. James, Whitehaven, Cumberland, to Hannah Gilliat. She died 20 May 1802, and was buried at Edenham.
Married fourthly on 21 May 1803 at Bradford, to Alice, daughter of Jessop Thorold and widow of Anthony Wrightson of Shipley Hall. She died aged 85 on 28 March 1821; there is a memorial to her on the wall of the church at Cuxwold.
A few days ago was married, Anthony Wrightson, Esq. of Shipley-Hall near Bradford, to Miss Alice Thorald [sic] of Louth in Lincolnshire; a most accomplished lady, with a handsome fortune. Leeds Intelligencer, Tuesday 26 November 1771
Issue four sons and two daughters, all by his first wife.
Reverend John Myers of Somerby.
Anne Myers, born 20 Jun 1766 at Gosforth, and died 30 April 1823 at Dunningwell.
On the 30th ult., at Dunningwell, near Ulverstone, aged 56, Anne relict of the Rev. Miles Mason, Rector of Gamston, Notts, and daughter of the late Rev. J. Myers, of Edenham. Stamford Mercury, 23 May 1823
She married at Edenham on 15 November 1785, to the Rev Miles Mason (of Ingoldsby, according to the register). He was born 18 October 1755 at Dent in Yorkshire, and died 26 March 1812.
On Saturday, the 31st ult., was instituted by the Archbishop of York, into the living of Gamston in Nottinghamshire, the Rev. Miles Mason, (son- in-law of the Rev. Mr. Myers, of Edenham, Lincolnshire) domestic chaplain to the Duke of Newcastle, late of Ingoldsby, Lincolnshire, but now of Worksop in Nottinghamshire. The above living is in the gift of the Crown, and worth 300l. per annum. Cumberland Pacquet, and Ware's Whitehaven Advertiser, 18 February 1789
On the 26th ult. after a lingering illness of six years, the Rev. Miles Mason, Rector of Gamston, Nottinghamshire, and domestic Chaplain to the Duke of Newcastle. Stamford Mercury, 10 April 1812
George Robert Abraham Myers, born at Edenham 13 November 1769 and died there 7 April 1787.
On Tuesday the 3d instant died, at Edenham, in this county, George Robert Abraham Myers, second son of the Rev. Mr. Myers, rector of Somerby-cum-Hunby. He was a young man of the first abilities, and of a most amiable disposition. He was intended for Oxford, where he would, (if it had pleased God to have prolonged his life), resided in October next. Stamford Mercury, 13 April 1787
Charles Brownlow Peregrine Samuel Myers, born at Edenham 7 May 1771 and buried there 30 May 1791, having sustained fatal injuries when falling out of a pub window. According to his father's will, he left an illegitimate daughter named Ann.
William Isaac Myers, born at Edenham 14 July 1773, and buried there 7 July 1802.
Educated at Lincoln College, Oxford, and ordained deacon at Buckden 18 September 1796. Appointed curate at Edenham and Swinstead that same day, on a stipend of £50, but his obituary notice records him as 'Capt. William Isaac Myers, lieutenant in the 9th foot'. Gents Mag, 1802.
Some graffiti discovered at Greys Court, Oxfordshire. It seems likely that this originated from the Sheldonian Theatre in Oxford, where Myers graduated on 19 April 1796. Elizabeth Myers, born 18 August 1782 at Edenham, and buried there 6 September 1782.