MR. W. G. CLARKE ON “ FLINT JACK.” 
4G3 
VIII. 
“FLINT JACK:” HIS LIFE-HISTORY. 
By W. G. Clarke. 
I trad 28th February, 1899. 
“ 1'he very Prince of fabricators of antiques,” was the description 
of “Flint Jack” given by Mr. Llewellyn Jewitt, F.S.A., in an 
article in the ‘Reliquary’ for October, 1867. It is improbable 
that “Flint Jack” surpassed some of the Brandon knappere of 
the present day in the production of spurious flint implements, 
but none of these can claim his wonderful versatility. Prior to 
his death, and when his fame was at its highest, there appeared 
various articles in the magazines dealing with this wonderful 
impostor. The details of his life have chiefly been culled from 
these, although various correspondents have rendered material 
assistance. In addition to the article already mentioned, others 
were published in the ‘ Malton Messenger,’ 1 All the Year Round,’ 
the ‘ People’s Magazine,’ and the ‘ Catalogue of the Salisbury 
Museum.’ 
So far as can be ascertained, “ Flint Jack’s ” correct name was 
Edward Simpson, and he was born in the village of Sleights, 
near Whitby, in the year 1815. He was, in later years, equally 
well known as John Wilson of Burlington, Jerry Taylor of 
Billerydale, and Edward Jackson ; while his other aliases included 
“Fossil Willy” (on the Yorkshire coast); “Bones” (at Whitby); 
“Shirtless” (in the Eastern Counties); “The Old Antiquarian” 
(Wilts and Dorset); “Snake Billy,” “ Cockney Bill,” and “Flint 
Jack ” universally. 
His father was a sailor; and at the age of fourteen Edward 
Simpson entered the service of Dr. Young, the historian of Whitby, 
from whom he acquired his knowledge of geology and archaeology, 
frequently accompanying his master on fossil-hunting expeditions. 
He left Dr. Young to serve Dr. Ripley, with whom he remained 
