Volume 1

Portraits and lives of remarkable and eccentric characters.

Date:
[1819?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Portraits and lives of remarkable and eccentric characters. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    188/348 (page 108)
    ROBERT NIXON, THE CHESHIRE PROPHET. Robert Nixon, the subject of this memoir, was born in the year 1467, at Over, in the county of Cheshire, in the seventh of JEdward IV. He was short of stature, with a remarkable large head, and piercing eyes: his face bespoke a vast deal of innocence, blended with great conception and fore-thought. His father held a farm at the above place, known by the name of Bark, or Bridge-house; at a very early age he sent his son Robert to the plough, and afterwards into the service of Mr. Crowton, of Swanlow; it was in this employ that they perceived that singular turn in the manner of Robert, which afterwards rendered his name so famous. It is said he was of a malicious turn of mind, particularly towards children; drivelled as he spoke, and was very surly; but of this part of