I have two letters written 5 years apart from the same person to the same lawyer, Samuel Martin Esq, Hull from Francis Norris of Leeds. They both have similar postal markings, a LEEDS mileage mark date stamp showing it was 196 miles from London, and the manuscript charge mark of ‘8’ = 8 pence. If the mileage is correct at 196 then this should have been 11d. Hull is 171 miles from London. The explanation of this cost of 8 pence must be that the letter travelled across country, instead of going through London. Leeds to Hull via York, is a distance of about 65 miles, which would fit into the rate scale of 8 pence for between 50 and 80 miles.
The story of the mileage marks begins in 1784 when new provincial postmarks were issued which included the mileage from London, so the receiving clerk was able to check the charge. However, the mileages were often inaccurate so in 1797 it was ordered that mileage marks should be removed from the office name stamps. John Cary was commissioned to check the mileages on every post road, and once this was done, the mileage marks were re-introduced, in 1801. During the period of their use, these mileage stamps were issued in various forms - straight line, circular, dated, undated, boxed or framed and with the mileage figure after, above or below the office name. To make it more interesting to the collector at least, some towns used more than one type. These examples used in the Leeds office were of the type in use from about 1804 to 1840, and they are not identical. Although they are not very well struck it is possible to see that apart from being a different size, the first one has the date (4) either side of the month (SE), with no year visible, and the second one has the date AU 6 above the year 1823 in the centre.
This is the first of the two chatty letters explaining the situation and asking for help in the education of his son. It is dated 1818 has a very messy illegible wax seal.
Now, to the letter which is dated Sept 3rd 1818.
“My Dear Sir,
The importance of my situation with respect to my children tempts me to address you on a subject which it may be in your power directly or indirectly to assist me in, and trust you will forgive me if I seem to presume on the good will you have at different times professed for me. The limited circumstances which I have felt the pressure of ever since my deprivation of Friends and other earthly comforts, renders it extremely desireable that one of my Boys could be placed on the foundation of Christs Church and it has occurred to me that you are very likely to be acquainted with Friends who may have a presentation to that admirable institution and that you will not object to use any interest you may possess in behalf of me and my children. I do not mean to endeavour to excite your peculiar interest in my concerns, but I must add as a sort of apology for thus addressing you that I have suffered much since my departure from Hull, to maintain an honourable independence and have thus far succeeded, but it bears upon my mind beyond endurance to feel the importance of education for my Boys and know my means are unequal to procure it. If my youngest Child who is at or about the proper age could be admitted into Christs Church perhaps my other Boy I can manage for, at least I should not hesitate to yield every selfish personal accommodation to attain my desire of procuring for him the education of a Gentleman, without which I do not hope for future good.”
(Note: he then stresses his financial situation, which explains how he has to support his three children, as well as himself and a parent, on about two pounds a week. He also lays the blame on Samuel Martin for advising him of the importance of education.)
“
You will oblige me by an early reply to this request and if you tell me you do not consider me presuming, it will relieve me greatly in passing judgement upon this step you must consider you are partly necessary to it by formerly urging the utility of education in my own case and by being in part the means of giving me the ideas I have upon the subject. With regard to my Daughter I feel tolerably easy, she is a fine Girl and with very little help I can do much for her myself but I feel as if my Boys require more able tuition than heretofore and when I recollect that myself, three children and Parent have to be maintained out of little more if any than £100 per annum the institution above named would be the greatest benefit in the world if a presentation could be procured.
My dear sir,
I remain Yr obliged Friend
Francis Norris
If you should favour me by a letter direct at Messrs Oates, Wood and Smithsons Leeds.”
(Note: This company was situated in Albion Street, which had a variety of residents at this time. Lots of merchants, numerous surgeons, a coach builder, wine & spirit dealer and just around the corner, in Butt's Court, was the American Consul Office! Possibly an indication of the trade the town did with that country).
Interestingly, a contact in Leeds (Keith Feeney) advised me that, there was a report in the Leeds Mercury Jan.25th, 1800
“… A few days later there was more ground for alarm, for on Sunday night
(January 19th, 1800) the gig-mill of Messrs. Oates, Wood & Smithson, at
Oatlands near Woodhouse-Carr, was discovered to be on fire… the damages are
estimated at about £500… no doubt remains but the fire was lighted by the
hand of an incendiary.”
So I then went in search of information about Christs Church in Hull, and through the website of another contact in Yorkshire http:// www.yorkshirehistory.com I was able to obtain an image of Christs Church, and this information.
quote
Worship Street, Christ Church.
This Anglican Church, consecrated in 1822, the first chapel-of-ease in the Parish of Sculcoates, was built so that those living in the Southern part of the Parish could attend worship without having to travel to the Parish Church of St Mary, Sculcoates, in Ayr Street, an unpleasant journey particularly in winter. The church was designed by William Hutchinson of Hull. White stock brick with dressing of Roche Abbey stone, in Perpendicular style. A chancel and vestry to the south by William Kerby were added in 1863. The church had seating for 1600. The church was assigned its own district in 1886. Though badly damaged by bombing in 1941, services continued under the south gallery until 1952. The building was demolished in 1962. The site is now a car park behind the New Theatre.
Christ Church Schools designed by Cuthbert Brodrick in 1849, survive next to the car park.
unquote
The paper on which this letter was written has a watermark of FELLOWS 1817, and has gold edging.
The second letter dated 1823 is on much plainer paper, no gold edging, and a watermark R. BARNARD 1820. It has a really clear red wax seal showing a man’s head wearing what looks to be a biretta.
In my experience this type of seal is unusual in that it has no lettering on it at all. This letter shows that more help is needed, this time for the next son, and stressing the importance of education and employment.
“Leeds 6th August 1823
My Dear Sir,
As my oldest Boy is within a very short time of his fourteenth birthday I hesitate to urge the desirability of enquiring for a situation for him in some mercantile house and remembering your kindness submit my thoughts to your consideration. This perhaps early enough with respect to age, but my circumstances, which become more and more oppressive command that my Children should be very early employed. I am led to the opinion that the situation of a General Merchant or Broker is the one best adapted for a youth in a situation like John’s, the business of a Leeds Merchant offers not the same chances of future success, and requires long and unprofitable clerkship, and capital and connections afterwards.
In Liverpool which is esteemed a more flourishing town than Hull we have no friends, and it seems to me on account of that our connections being known at Hull and considering the youth of my Son a situation amongst those who have known his parents will be less dangerous than among perfect strangers. The Boy is neither above nor below the usual standard of youths of his age who have had the same means of learning. I would have brought him over to Hull during the holidays, but I was busily engaged in my Family and not very well.
I wrote to Mr Liddell a few days since and mentioned the business of this letter, perhaps you will be seeing him and I have a firm assurance that if you can write in assisting me you will not withold your friendship on this or any other occasion.
Be kind enough to let me hear from you soon it is always a comfort to receive your letters
And believe me
Your affectionate Friend
F Norris.”
A note has been written at the bottom:
No 6307 £5 –
No 6308 £5 – 20th June 1823 R Clough (signed)
Total £10
From these sums, it seems to me that Samuel Martin who was a well-known lawyer in Hull, may have acted as a trustee for Francis Norris, which is why he is receiving these requests for help.
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