In 1882 Mr Treeby was a ‘clock jobber’ who tinkered with timepieces in his home at Snows Court — a ramshackle part of town which has since been replaced by St George’s Arcade. ‘Old Treeby’ was a well-known eccentric, who, despite living in humble circumstances, presented himself as something of a gentleman.

One night he attempted to take a stroll up to the Beacon, but found the footpath impassible. It transpired that the farmer at Beacon Farm had decided to stop anyone crossing the land by establishing obstacles. Mr Treeby was outraged and wrote a public letter expressing his intention to right this wrong, calling upon supporters to join him.

The day soon came. In grand style Mr Treeby was carried in a sedan chair, a tricorn hat upon his head and a cornet player tooting away in front. At Market Strand he gave a rousing speech and then led a crowd towards the footpath. They were confronted by the farmer and several policemen, but Mr Treeby was not to be stopped. Several newspapers describe what followed: ‘The obstruction was cleared away with a few lusty strokes of the champion’s axe’ and ‘Treeby declared the Beacon open and free to the public forever… and marched through town… receiving repeated popular cheers!’

The farmer backed down. Old Treeby had earnt a place in Falmouth’s heart, but did not enjoy this for long — a year later he died in Falmouth Workhouse. The Royal Cornwall Gazette wrote that ‘One of our characters is dead… poor old man was very eccentric, and yet often wise in his eccentricity. His cocked hat and fight for the Beacon pathway will long be remembered by the rising generation of Falmouthians.’

Falmouth Uncovered runs gripping history and ghost walking tours every week from April.  Head to falmouthuncovered.co.uk for details.