Myers, John – The parson who had four wives

Rev John Myers (1739-1821)

THE Rev John Myers was a man with humble origins who amassed a large fortune, mainly by marrying well.

After three years at St Bees School, Cumbria,  he taught at Gosforth, and later said prayers at Haile and Ponsonby.

He was ordained to the curacy of the two parishes in 1763, and on Oct 8, 1770 he entered himself at St Johns College, Cambridge as “a ten year man”.

He was Vicar of  Swinstead 1771-1820 and was also rector of Somerby-with-Humby 1771-1789 until he presented himself to the living of Wyberton,  near Boston  which was bought for him by Stanley Marshall .

For many years he was domestic chaplain at Grimsthorpe Castle.

He acquired Shipley Hall, Yorkshire by his marriage to his fourth wife Alice , widow of Anthony Wrightson of Shipley Hall.

He became JP for Yorkshire.

He married four times, each enhancing his fortune. Widow Ann Thompson,  Catherina Fox, who had a fortune of more than £10,000, Hannah Gilliat, and Widow Alice Thorold.

In his convivial hours, when the number of his wives were mentioned, he used to jocularly say “If I survive I will have five”.

Death, however, prevented his fulfilling his wish as he survived his fourth wife by only a few days. He was living in Cumberland when his fourth wife died and went to Yorkshire for the funeral. He was taken ill on the way and died as soon as he reached Shipley Hall, near Braceford.

He was succeeded by his son as Rector of Somerby with Humby in 1789-1831 and in 1794-1831 was granted the dispensation to hold the livings with the rectory of Ruskington.