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county of Cambsidge, whose name was Thomas Hickathrift, a poor man and a day labourer, yet he was a very stout man, and able to perform two days work instead of one: He having one son, and no more children in the world, he called him by his own name, Thomas Hickathrift, This old man put his son to good learning but he would take none, for he was as we call them in this age,none of the wisest sort but something less, and had no docility at all in him.
His father being soon called out of the world, his mother was tender of him, maintained him by her hand-labour as well as she could; he being slothful, and not willing to work to get a penny for his living, but all his delight was to be in the chimney corner, and would eat as much at one time as would serve four or five men; for he was in height when he was when he was but ten years of age, about eight feet and in thickness five feet, and his hand was like unto a shoulder of
