The Hero of Falmouth: Old Eccentric Treeby

Falmouth has always been renowned for local "characters" One such individual was Isaac Treeby, who, in May 1882, achieved glory by standing up for the rights of all Falmouthians. This is the story of how one elderly man propelled himself from harmless eccentric to beloved hero in a single day. 

In 1882 Mr Treeby was a ‘clock jobber’ and cobbler who worked from his house in Snow's Court — a ramshackle part of town which has since been replaced by St George’s Arcade. ‘Old Treeby’ was a well-known eccentric, who, despite living in humble circumstances, presented himself as something of a gentleman. He was always writing letters to local newspaper with high-minded suggestions for the improvement of the town, including one in 1881 where he finished by saying 'It's true, I broke three of my ribs chasing a pig up Penryn when the railway was opened. But ribs has [sic] nothing to do with a man's brains.'

Snow's Court

Falmouth in 1880. Snow's Court can be seen amidst the urban tangle.

One night he attempted to take a stroll up to the Beacon, but found the footpath impassable. It transpired that the farmer at Beacon Farm, Mr Gay, had decided to stop anyone crossing the land by establishing obstacles. Mr Treeby was outraged and wrote a public letter expressing his intention to right this wrong, calling upon supporters to join him.

The area in the 1930s. The footbath is visible, as is Beacon Farm. The Beacon as we know it is being used for allotment gardens at this point. © NLS Maps

The same area as it is now © Google Maps

The day soon came. The famous Mr Burton of the Old Curiosity Shop had kitted Mr Treeby and his supporters out for the occasion, and so Treeby was carried in a sedan chair, with a tricorn hat upon his head, and a cornet-player tooting away in front.

The Old Curiosity Shop, a famous business full of oddities from around the world. The building is now Boots Opticians.

At Market Strand he gave a rousing speech and then led a crowd towards the footpath. They were confronted by the farmer and several policeman, but 'The Knight of Snow's Court' was not to be stopped. Several newspapers describe what followed: ‘The obstruction was cleared away with a few lusty strokes of the champion’s axe’ and ‘Treeby declared the Beacon open and free to the public forever… and marched through town… receiving repeated popular cheers!’ The farmer backed down and various newspaper made it clear that they expected him to continue to respect the town's feelings regarding the footpath.

Old Treeby had earnt a place in Falmouth’s heart and very almost managed to get married. In January 1883 he found himself a bride, but when her brother saw the humble nature of Treeby's living conditions, he refused to allow the wedding to go ahead! A newspaper wrote an article about the effect this had: 'Recently persons have witnessed the poor disappointed fellow in a piteous state, and, on being asked the cause, replied in a sort of growl, as is his usual mode of talking— "I thot I was going to git married this time. I cleared the house for 'em to have a dance when they came out of church... but now I aren't 'lowed to be married 'cos they say I'm foolish."' That same year Old Treeby died in Falmouth Workhouse. The Royal Cornwall Gazette wrote that ‘One of our characters is dead… poor old man was very eccentric, and yet often wise in his eccentricity. His cocked hat and fight for the Beacon pathway will long be remembered by the rising generation of Falmouthians.’ 

Sources:

Falmouth News Slip - Saturday 15 October 1881 Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 02 June 1882 Cornish Echo and Falmouth & Penryn Times - Saturday 03 June 1882 Cornishman - Thursday 04 January 1883

Royal Cornwall Gazette - Friday 29 June 1883

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