laughed at, he discontinued them.[1] Robinson was a fine, tall, and powerfully-built man, 6 ft. 1 in. in height, and weighed about 16st. He was a farmer's son, and was born at Ash, near Farnham, in Surrey, where he resided for much of his life, and died there September 2nd, or October 2nd, 1822, aged 57; but no tombstone has been erected to his memory. His career continued till 1819, when he was 54 years of age, thus playing later in life than the generality of cricketers. In 1860, one of his sons was residing at Frimley, in Surrey.
Thomas Scott was a very successful batsman indeed with the Hambledon Club, for several seasons. John Nyren, however, gives no account of him in his book, though he inserts his name in a list of the best Eleven of that famous club. By trade he was (it is believed) a glover, at Alton, in Hampshire, where he resided, and was probably born. In 1857, his tombstone was standing in Alton churchyard, with the following inscription:
In memory of
THOMAS, son of THOMAS and SARAH SCOTT,
Who departed this life November 5, 1799,
Aged 33 years.
There were also some verses on the tablet, but they could not be deciphered. With the exception of Noah Mann (who was burnt to death) and Scott, most of the old Hambledon players, and their opponents, seem to have lived to a good old age; indeed this remark will apply to cricketers generally.
- ↑ Concerning the early use of sawdust, Mr. Pycroft writes:—"Beldham, Robinson, and Lambert played Bennett, Fennex and Lord F. Beauclerk, a notable single-wicket match at Lord's, 27th June, 1806. Lord Frederick's last innings was winning the game, and no chance of getting him out. His Lordship had then lately introduced sawdust when the ground was wet. Beldham, unseen, took up a lump of wet dirt and sawdust, and stuck it on the ball, which, pitching favourably, made an extraordinary twist, and took the wicket. This I heard separately from Beldham, Bennett, and also Fennex, who used to mention it as among the wonders of his long life.'—E. V. L.
