The Salisbury and Winchester Journal of 1812 carried an intriguing notice that may well have come straight from Robert Louis Stephenson:

"If John Hughes, son of George Hughes, late of Devizes, will apply to Mr Bevir[?], Cirencester, he will hear of something to his advantage.  If he is living, he is about fifty-four years of age, five feet six inches high, pitted with small pox, has light sandy hair, and grey eyes, and goes lame.  He was formerly a sailor, and afterwards travelled the country as a beggar, seller of matches, ballards etc.  He is supposed to have resided some time in Staffordshire where he was employed in vending Staffordshire Ware.  He was at Gosport about seven years ago.  If he be dead, any person informing Mr Bevir when and where he died, will be properly rewarded."

This raises endless scope for the imagination.  Is he alive?  How has he spent the last seven years?  Is this an opportunity for some rapscallion to impersonate him?  If he is dead might there be a son/daughter and heir? What has he inherited? 

When I have the time, I intend to pursue the life and times of Mr George Hughes.