Thomas Willis

He went to schoole to Mr. (Edward) Sylvester in Oxon, over the meadowes, where he ayred his muse, and made good exercise : from William Hawes, his schoolefellow. Anno about 1657 (quaere there), riding towards Brackley to a patient, his way led him thorough Astrop, where he observed the stones in the little rill were discoloured of a kind of Crocus Martis colour ; thought he, this may be an indication of iron ; he getts gaules, and putts some of the powder into the water, and immediately it turned blackish ; then sayd he, 'Tie not send my patients now so far as Tunbridge', and so he in a short time brought these waters into vogue, and hath inriched a poore obscure village. He was middle stature : darke red haire (like a red pig) : stammered much.