Letters from Revd Dr John Hymers to Henry Marr

This small collection contains six handwritten letters from Dr John Hymers to Henry Marr and generally relates to Hymers' concern for the well-being of Henry and his siblings, particularly Gertrude and James.

There were Marrs living in Etton and Cherry Burton from at least the sixteenth century, with some of the family moving to Brandesburton in the early nineteenth century.

Frances Dunn (1836-1878) was living in Brandesburton when she married the Revd Henry Seed in November 1854. Revd Seed had been a curate under Dr John Hymers but had left to become a curate at Tring in 1853, possibly owing to Hymers' dislike of his relationship with Frances who was under age. Revd Seed died only three months after the marriage, probably of tuberculosis, in Bowling, Bradford aged only 33.

Frances Seed remarried in 1860 to Thomas Marr and together they had four daughters, including Gertrude who is mentioned in the letters, and three sons, including Henry (1863-1936) to whom the letters were sent. Frances Marr died in 1878 and Thomas died only two years later in 1880. Subsequently, Dr John Hymers took some interest in the family which was left scattered by the deaths of their parents. One of the Marrs' sons, James Brigham, was left money by Dr Hymers in his Will.

Access will be granted to any accredited reader

Donated by Revd Peter Marr April 2014

Papers relating to the will of Rev. John Hymers [U DDCV/214]

Hymers College, Hull, [C WH]