Joseph Pickthall, Old Jossy Hornpike, Kendal, Westmorland, England, 1867, obituary

Westmorland Gazette, Saturday, 11 May 1867, page 5
On Sunday, the 5th inst., in the Woolpack Yard, in this town, Mr. Joseph Pickthall, better known as "Old Jossy Hornpike", the "oldest inhabitant" of Kendal. Deceased was born at Beckside, in Old Hutton, near this town, on the 15th of March, 1770, so that at the time of his death he was in the 98th year of his age. Latterly he has led a quiet and inoffensive life, toddling about the streets in knee-breeches and stick in hand almost to the last. When in his prime he followed for many years the business of a potter or earthenware dealer, reguarly every Saturday displaying his wares in the "pot market" on the west side of Stricklandgate, but he resided for the greater part of his long life in Capper Lane, Kirkland, where he was a well known character, and withal a man of energy and spirit; as a proof of which it may be stated that he dared to record his vote in favour of the Lowthers at each of the three great Westmorland contests of 1818, 1820, and 1826. Acts of moral courage which can only be duly appreciated by those who remember the fierce obloquy and reproach which he received for his independent conduct from his more immediate neighbours in Capper, who were to a man (and woman too) violent zealots on the opposite side. His remains were followed to the grave in the Church Cemetery, on Tuesday, by a goodly retinue of descendants to the third generation.