'John Watkins, known by the name of Black John, died at Bristol [1759],
aged 78, who on his being prevented from possessing an estate in
Gloucestershire, to which he is said to have been heir, made a vow
never to be shaved, which he kept to his death, and a little before
his exit, desired he might not be shaven.
He was a beggar for about 50 years last past, and often lodged in a
glass-house, though he had a room in the city, in which 200 weight of
silver and halfpence, and a considerable quantity of gold was found,
all acquired by begging.'