Good work with the blog Martin,will have a good look.
Hi BushInn1746, Jervis was an interesting character and sad how things turned out
Obituary Saturday 1 November 1845 Staffordshire Advertiser
Death of a singular character
We have to record the death, on Tuesday last at the age of 73 years of Jervis Forrester, a person whose eccentricities have long caused him to be well known in the north of this county. He was for a considerable period the Landlord of the Cellar-head Inn, then a much frequented public house at the point where the Hanley and Cheadle, and the Leek and Sandon roads intersect each other, near Werrington. Some years ago, after having carried on with supposed success, the multifarious occupations of publican, farmer, Maltster, brick maker and master collier, he was declared bankrupt an his creditors were great losers. Forrester himself declared, that has be been entrusted with winding up his affairs, his estate would have been sufficient to have met all just demands; and he is said to have made the curious vow, that he would not be shaved, not have his hair cut, till all his debts were paid. Be this as it may, his conduct, henceforward, he was remarkable for eccentricity. He allowed his beard to grow till it rivalled that most venerable Israelite; and his flowing locks reached over his shoulders. He was a tall man, and as if yet not sufficiently remarkable, he mounted a huge fur cap, like a grenadier's and wore a large blue cloak with a red collar. Thus accountred and sometimes led by one dog, but occasionally by two or three of of his canine friends, he wandered about the country, sometimes selling matches or tracts, at other times singing hymns or ballads; now conversing with proprietary on religious subjects, and anon found in the most profane company. He was a visitant at all the wakes and fares in the country. We need scarcely say, that in his peregrinations he met with much ridicule and arrogance, which he bore almost unmoved. He generally attended a place of worship on the Sabbath, and regularly communicated with apparent devotion at one of the churches in the potteries. Last Sunday he went to Leek wakes and was insulted and abused by some drunken men. In the scuffle he was much bruised. On Monday he returned to his lodging at Wetly Rocks; he complained of the treatment he had received appeared ill, and died on Tuesday afternoon. The report that his death was the consequence of the ill treatment he had received, caused an inquest to be held at the Powy's arms before John catlow Esq. Captain Powys and Mr Russell the superintendent of police at Leek were present. The evidence of Mr Tomkinson, surgeon of Cheadle was taken, and although there was general opinion that the ill treatment he had suffered must have had a serious effect upon a person of his age, yet in the absence of positive proof, that his death attributable to other then natural caused a verdict to that effect was returned. He has left a widow and eight or nine children, but domestic difference had estranged him from them. His forlorn condition excited much pity among those who knew him under other circumstances.
