Robert Dry was baptised in Holy Trinity Church, Kingston upon Hull on 20 June 1756. His father’s name was also Robert as was his father before him. His father’s burial is recorded in St Mary’s Church, Lowgate, Hull, parish register as 13 February 1773 and states that he was a labourer, other than that, nothing else is known yet.

Robert was married to Jane Terry (daughter of Richard Terry, sawyer) in Holy Trinity in 1777 and on 27 December that year their son John was baptised at the same Church. Another son, Richard, followed on 28 June 1781 and this is the first time Robert’s profession of Glazier is mentioned.

Sometime in the 1780s the family moved to Driffield (It is a family tradition that they travelled via the canal) because Easter Dry (or Hester/Esther according to the censuses) was baptised February 1787 at All Saints Driffield. On 3^rd January 1790 another daughter, Christiana, was baptised at the parish church as was, on 2^nd September 1792, (also baptised 4^th February 1793 at Hull!) the last child, yet another Robert and our direct ancestor.

Robert is mentioned in an entry in the land tax register for 1792 for Driffield. We also read in the quarter sessions for 1795 in Driffield that John Dry, Glazier, was witness to a riot and gave evidence that William Balance, Blacksmith, had broken a shop window. This is the last we hear of John in Driffield (I have never been able to trace John’s family.) except for a mention in Robert’s will.

Robert Dry died 30 May 1812 aged 56 and was buried in All Saints Churchyard. His gravestone is still there (at the back, laid down). The inscription reads:

In Memory of

Robert Dry

Departed this life

May 30 1812

Aged 56

It’s hard to lose a partner dear,

A parent fond and kind

It’s hard to lose a friend sincere, of independent mind

Then what avails all earthly bliss, since we to dust return?

There is a better world than this,

So why should mortals mourn?

In his will he left goods and chattels (house, business, money etc) to Jane for as long as she lived (the money to be shared amongst the family, that is, John, Richard, Robert, Easter and Christiana) and then to pass on to “my son Robert and his heirs and assigns forever”. It has to be said that the inheritance was worth less than one hundred pounds! Jane became a lodging-house keeper in Middle Street and died aged 78. She was buried, presumably in the Churchyard, 5^th July 1832.

Richard and Robert Dry are listed in the Trade Directory for 1823 as Plumber and Glaziers of 23 and 24 Middle Street South, Driffield. Richard, as did all the boys, followed in his father’s footsteps as a plumber/glazier. He married Mary Simpson who was from Allerston according to subsequent censuses. Their family were:

Hannah baptised 6^th July 1806

Harriet baptised 24^th July 1808

Henry baptised 20^th Dec 1810

George baptised 1813

Francis born 11^th May 1817

Eden baptised 24^th Dec 1819

Charlotte baptised 27^th June 1822

John born 15^th Sept 1824

Edward born 25^th May 182?

Francis was baptised in Holy Trinity, Hull. He married Hannah Blowman of Garton on the Wolds, again in Holy Trinity, on 29th July 1836. Over 26 years Hannah gave birth to 17 children, 5 of who died in infancy and, along with their mother and father, are buried in Garton churchyard. Francis became a prominent figure in Driffield during the Victorian era; starting his career as a Taylor he was well known as a Draper and ran his business from 9 Market Place, Driffield. When Francis Dry had the shop his name was written across the side of the building, later Hepworth’s Tailors were situated there and they painted across the name but I have old books with pictures of the Market Place in them and “F Dry” is quite visible. An advertisement in the Driffield times 9^th June 1860 reads:

“F Dry – Cheap Manchester House – begs to announce his return from the London market where he has selected an extensive assortment of millinery, mercery and drapery goods”

Also, in a book written by local historian, Peter Howarth, about Driffield in 1871 there is an advertisement taken from the Driffield Times, which implores the reader to

“Come and visit F Dry’s at Manchester House to see the latest Paris fashions”!!!

When a Driffield lady contacted me concerning the family she told me of the time when Boots the Chemist took over the building some time in the 1950’s and she as an employee was helping to sort things out, the side of the wagon with F Dry painted on it was still on the premises!!

Through the years he had various addresses in Middle St., New Road, George St. etc.

He later owned 27 Beverley Road, a substantial residence even now. You can still see the marks on the side of the house where his wagon was taken through to the stables. The house became known as the ‘Drapers House’. Francis has descendants all over the world including USA and New Zealand.

Richard was buried 28^th May 1847 in parish church Driffield aged 66

Mary was buried 17^th Jan 1856 in parish church Driffield aged 76.

Robert Dry (the younger) married Lois Hodgeson, baptised 10^th May 1792, daughter of William Hodgeson, Brewer, and Frances, his wife, 2^nd Nov 1816 at Driffield Parish Church. They had 7 children who were:

Charles Baptised 14^th Dec 1817 (Builder) m. Hannah

Lois Baptised 22^nd Jan 1820 (m. Charles Ringrose)

Fanny Baptised 21^st Mar 1822

Walter Baptised 3^rd April 1825 (probably died as child)

Jane Baptised 2^nd Sept 1827 (m. Robson of Beverley)

Thomas Hodgeson Baptised 7^th Feb 1830 (Printer) m. Hephzibah

Robert Baptised 27^th Jan 1833(Bricklayer)m Charlotte

William Baptised 10^th Jan 1836 (Joiner) M. Jane

Lois died 29^th Feb 1860 aged 67 from Cardiac disease, her daughter-in-law; Charlotte was with her when she died.  Robert died 11 Nov 1862, East Gate, Driffield, 69 years, Plumber and Glazier (Sexton) of Natural Decay.

 On a visit to Kingston upon Hull archive I discovered a file, which contained Robert’s baptism certificate and an oath, which gave Robert the freedom of the City of Hull and made him a Burgess.  The assistant at the archive told me that any trades person that wanted to do work in Hull needed to prove that they had citizenship and to be a freeman.

Census 1851 Driffield

83 Middle St

Robt. Dry               Head                      57           Glazer

Lois                        Wife                       57

Jane                        Daug.                      23

Thomas H               Son                         21           Printer

Robert                    Son                         19           Bricklayer

William                   Son                         16           Joiner

Ann                        G/Daug.                   2

Cate                       G/Daug.                   4mths

Ann and Cate were daughter Jane’s children.  She later married and moved to Beverley.

Easter married James Bell a shoemaker in Driffield. They had 6 children and according to the 1841 census lived in Eastgate and Easter was a mangler.  By 1851 though she was a pauper living with her daughter and her family. James had died aged 59,1836.   Easter died aged 70 and was buried in the parish churchyard on 27^th March 1857.

Christiana seems to have fared a little better.  She married William Pickering, a gardener and they lived most of their lives in Beverley Lane (now St. John’s Rd).  They had several children and lived to a good age.  In the 1861 census they were living at 13 Mill Street aged 75 and 71 respectively.

Robert Dry married Charlotte Dawson baptised 21^st March 1837 daughter of Thomas Dawson, Tailor and Charlotte (nee Stathers b. North Cave) his wife.

Their children were:

William Stathers Dry Born 24^th Oct 1856

Baptised 9^th Nov 1856 m. Frances Robson

Elizabeth Baptised 24^th Jun 1858 d. 9^th May 1862

Clara Baptised 10^th Oct 1861 (married name Gill)

Elizabeth Ann Baptised 12^th Nov 1863

Dawson 1^st Jan 1866 (no baptism found)

Lois Baptised 12^th Sept 1869

Thomas Hodgeson Born 1876

Although through his entire career Robert was a bricklayer, probably working for his brother, Charles, it has come to light recently that 1866 saw him as the Landlord of the White Swan in Shady Lane. (This now the Royal Oak in Victoria Rd). The following is taken from the Driffield Times.

Dec 8, 1866

INFRINGEMENT OF THE BEER HOUSE ACT

Robert DRY, keeper of the White Swan beerhouse, Shady lane, Driffield, was summoned for keeping his house open for the sale of drink after 11 o’clock at night on the 30^th ult. Sgt BURNISTON brought the charge and stated that between one and two o’clock, on the morning of the 30^th November, he visited defendant’s house and in the front room, found three prostitutes and two men; there were three glasses of ale on the table. He spoke to Mrs DRY, who said she thought the parties were going to stay all night. BURNISTON however, saw them leave a short time after his visit. In defence, DRY said no ale had been drawn after 11 o’clock and as to the parties seen by BURNISTON, he stated that they knocked them up and asked if they could have lodgings and all the beds being engaged, he gave a negative reply; they then asked if they might sit by the fire till morning and he opened the door and let them in. On being asked what sort of house defendant kept, BURNISTON said he had not had occasion previously to complain of it, but a few nights prior to the above, he caught some parties gambling there. To this, DRY said they were only playing for a quart of ale, a common occurrence at all the inns in the town. Fined 2s 6d and expenses, 9s 6d

The family moved to Hull where Charlotte died aged in Sept.1886 and Robert married Ann, 15 years older than himself. He died at 48 Hodgeson St. on the16^th Feb 1900 from cardiac disease. His daughter, Clara, married name, Gill of 18 Charlie’s Terrace, Courtney Street, Hull was witness to his death.

Some Family Census information

1871

78 Westgate, Driffield

Thos. Dawson Tailor 67yrs b. Driffield

Charlotte Wife 68yrs b. North Cave

Alfred G/Son 8yrs

Wm S Dry G/Son 14yrs Coach Builder

36 Middle St. (Gibson’s Bldings)

Robert Bricklayer 37yrs b. Driffield

Charlotte Wife 34yrs b. Driffield

Clara Daug. 9yrs b. Driffield

Eliz. Daug 7yrs b. Driffield

Dawson Son 5yrs b. Driffield

Lois Daug. 1yr. b. Driffield

Charlotte’s Lineage

Thomas Dawson b. 4 December 1803 m. Charlotte Stathers of North Cave (father Wm Stathers Yeoman)

Thomas’ father was William Dawson who married Patience Raper 21 December 1793 at Nafferton. Patience was the illegitimate daughter of Mary Raper, bapt. 4 February 1776 at Nafferton.

Dawson married Emma Louise Charlton (bapt. 24 Aug 1868 in York), in 1889. They were married at St Stephen’s Church on St.Stephen’s Square in Hull. After 2 or 3 years in Leeds where 2 of their children were born, they came back and settled in East Hull where most of their descendants now live.

Their children were:

Rose Lillian b. 22 January 1890 - d. 4 July 1959 married name Till

Robert b. Leeds 1893 - d. 1 November 1918 in Kassell, Germany

Maud b. Leeds, m. Herbert Acaster

Thomas Dawson b. Hull 1898 - d. in an accident at school aged 9

George Baden b. Hull m. Vera Collinwood

Charles b. Hull m. Hilda?

Gladys Esther b. Hull m. Roy Haigh

My Grandmother, Rose Lillian Dry was the first of 7 children. Two of who died young, Thomas Dawson, whilst playing football at school aged 9 and the other, another Robert, was killed in Germany during WW1, 11 days before the armistice.

After another Robert (Gladys Haigh’s son) died in an accident aged 9, my grandmother told everyone in the family never to give our sons the name of Robert.

My Grandmother Rose Lillian married George William Till in 1918 she had 6 children and was 69 when she died on 4^th July 1959 of Lung Cancer

I am still searching for the first Robert Dry’s birth. There are a number of contenders. There was a Robert Dry in Harpham near Driffield in 1742, many Drys in coastal areas of East Yorkshire and some in Hull, but I am at a loss to link them to the family. But that is the challenge with FH. I would value any information that may shed light on the subject. One teaser is on the 1901 for the Dry Household at 27 Beverley Road Driffield. Listed there is a servant, a girl called Harriet Dry from Withernsea aged 28 who is described as’ Niece’. Could this be a clue?

Considering how many Dry’s there were in Driffield in the 19^th Century it’s surprising that there are none now. I have been in contact though with several descendants of Robert and Jane both around this country and abroad.

ADDED NOTE

These news items may be of interest to Dry researchers (not fully researched by me, the host, but would be interested in any outcomes, if known)

June 23, 1917

WEST HULL MURDER MYSTERY

On Wednesday, Private Fred Oswald Dry, 4^th East Yorkshire Regiment, who has been re-arrested on a charge of the willful murder of his wife at Hull on April 26^th, was brought up at the Hull Police Court, before Mr Ed. Dumoulin, Mr A.H. Carver, and Mr Hy Stonehouse. It will be remembered that the prisoner entered the Hull Central Police Station at 8.45 am on April 26^th, and stated that his wife had been killed in bed at 12 Marne Street, Chanterlands Avenue. He said he wished to be detained, and he gave up the key of the house. Superintendent Kilvington at once visited the house and found Mrs Dry dead in bed, with her skull smashed and her neck and breast covered with bayonet stabs. On the following day the Coroner’s jury returned a verdict of “Wilful murder against some person or persons unknown,” and two days afterwards the husband, Private F.O. Dry, was discharge by Mr Henry Stonehouse (who sat alone on the Bench), on the ground that there was not sufficient evidence to commit him for trial. On May 31, the accused was arrested at a northern camp under the instructions of the Director of Prosecutions and with the warrant of the Attorney General; and on Wednesday the case was re-opened.

Mr T.C. Jackson, who prosecuted, said Private Dry was a school teacher at Doncaster before entering the Army. His marriage with Mrs Dry had not been altogether happy, Mrs Dry carrying in a handbag a number of letters written by girls to her husband, and some time before he went to France she had some conversations with him on the subject, but he passed it off lightly. Accused came over from Hospital at Leicester on the 23^rd April, and the couple were together that day and the following two days. About midnight on the 28^th a loud thud was heard in the bedroom of Dry’s house. At seven o’clock next morning accused was seen to leave the house, and at 8.48 he turned up at the Police Station without having previously communicated with anybody.

Mrs Sarah Ann Procter, Withernsea, mother of Mrs Dry, gave evidence as to the married life of prisoner and his wife. There were faults on both sides.

Ernest Henry Lewis Spooner, who used to be employed as a clerk on the railway, and was not a sapper in the Royal Engineers, said he had known Mrs Dry for about two years, and intimately since last October. He visited her almost daily until the 25^th April, but never stayed all night.

Mrs Thompson, wife of Private Thompson, brother of Mrs Dry, said the iron bar produced and found near Mrs Dry’s body was, she said, kept for breaking coal; and the bayonet was left in the house by her husband, Private Thompson.

Several other witnesses were called and at the close of the evidence, when asked if he had anything to say, prisoner said, “I wish to say nothing except that I am not guilty.” He was committed for trial.

November 24, 1917

At the Yorkshire Assizes, which opened at Yorks Castle, on Wednesday, Fred Oswald Dry (34), a soldier of the East Yorkshire Regiment, who was tried at the last Assizes for the murder of his wife at Hull, the jury disagreeing, was again presented for trial. The case for the prosecution had not been concluded when the court adjourned.

The hearing of the case was resumed on Thursday, when after having further evidence the jury returned a verdict of guilty, with a recommendation to mercy.

December 22, 1917

THE HULL WIFE MURDER CASE

ADMISSION BY DRY

The Court of Criminal Appeal, on Monday, heard the appeal of Fred Oswald Dry, a private in the Army, who was convicted at the recent York Assizes for the murder of his wife, and sentenced to death. Prisoner who was a former Doncaster schoolmaster, was present in court in khaki.

Mr Mellor, for the appellant, reviewed the facts of the case, and went on to say that he advised that the prisoner should not appeal, but that a petition should be got up to the Home Secretary, in view of the jury’s recommendation of mercy. This was done, and some 20,000 signatures were obtained, the matter having caused some considerable interest in the North of England. Meantime, the prisoner had himself appealed to their Lordships, and in the appeal he had practically admitted the offence, but said he was mad at the time. This was one of these infidelity murders; the man had come out of hospital, no doubt weakened in body and mind and the second day after his arrival home he learned that for two months before his return his wife had been practically living with a man named Spooner. That gave him a great shock, and no doubt afterwards led to the events, which occurred. Counsel thought it was one of those cases where one might assume that the man who committed the crime was at the time practically insane. The lapse of time, however, must have brought home to his mind that this was the hand, and the only hand, that committed the murder.

The Lord Chief Justice said it was a case in which that the Court could do nothing. There was no r finding of the jury on the question of insanity and no defence of insanity was set up at the trial. Mr Mellor at the trial was defending on the facts, and seeking to show prisoner did not commit the crime. Now all that had disappeared, and prisoner admitted he had committed the crime. The jury’s recommendation of mercy to the Home Secretary would consider any fresh evidence counsel could put before him to enable him to deal wit every aspect of the case would be considered. Prisoner, said his Lordship was entitled to appeal, and they were indebted to counsel for giving the Court his views, but this was case where no fault could be found with the summing up or verdict. The appeal was accordingly dismissed.

DRY’S EXECUTION FIXED

The execution of Pte Oswald Dry, whose appeal against the death sentence was dismissed, has been fixed to take place at 9am on Friday, January 4^th at Armley Gaol. Dry was strongly recommended to mercy, and a numerous signed petition for his reprieve is still under the consideration of the Home Office.

January 5, 1918

THE HULL MURDER CASE

The sentence of death passed at York Assizes on Frederick Oswald Dry, for the murder of his wife at Hull has been commuted by the Home Secretary to penal servitude for life. A petition, which was presented on behalf of Dry, laid stress on the fact that his father died in an asylum, and that a sister is an inmate of a home for the mentally deficient.