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708 After having made such success with his mines about the Upper Webburn, Quaker Palk became reckless in his speculations, and was soon heavily involved. He was kept on his feet by Mr. Bailey, of Plymouth, and Joe Matthews, who bought Palk's holding of Birch Tor Mine. He died suddenly 9 February, 1853, aged fifty-nine years.

I think, but cannot be sure, that it was of John Palk that the story was told of two old folks, returning from the funeral, when one said to the other, "Sure and he was a very charitable man."

"I reckon he were," replied the other. "He always had three eggs boiled to his breakfast, and gave away the broth."

His wife survived him thirty-one years, and died in Plymouth 24 May, 1884, aged eighty-five years.