This extraordinary giant, whose height was nearly nine feet, was born at
Kinsale, in the kingdom of Ireland. His real name was Patrick Cotter; he
was of obscure parentage, and originally laboured as a brick-layer; but
his uncommon size rendered him a mark for the avarice of a showman, who,
for the payment of £50. per annum, obtained the liberty of exhibiting
him for three years in England. Not contented with his bargain, the
chapman attempted to _underlet_ to another speculator, the liberty of
showing him, and poor Cotter resisting this nefarious transaction, was
saddled with a fictitious debt, and thrown into a spunging house in
Bristol. In this situation he was, happily for him, visited in prison by
a gentleman of the city, who, in compassion to his distress, and having
reason to think that he was unjustly detained, very generously became
his bail, and ultimately so far investigated the affair, that he not
only obtained him his liberty, but freed him from all kind of obligation
to serve his task-master any longer. He was at this time eighteen years
old. He subsequently retained, to his last breath, a most lively sense
of the obligation conferred upon him when a stranger, and in need; which
he manifested also by very _honourable mention_ in his will. It happened
to be September when he was liberated, and, by the further assistance of
his benefactor, he was enabled to set up for himself in the fair then
held in St. James's. Success crowned his undertaking, and in three days,
instead of being in penury, he saw himself possessed of thirty pounds,
English money. Let those who know the peasantry of Ireland, judge of his
riches! He now commenced a regular exhibition of his person, which he
continued until the last two years of his life, when, having realized a
sufficient fortune to keep a carriage and live in good style, he
declined what was always exceedingly irksome to his feelings. He was
unoffending and amiable in his manners, to his friends and acquaintance,
of whom he had latterly a large circle; and he was neither averse to a
cheerful glass nor pleasant company. He had naturally good sense, and
his mind was not uncultivated. Mr. Cotter had at one time in his
possession, a regular journal of his life, written from day to day, for
amusement, but which a whim of the moment induced him to commit to the
flames, though he afterwards much regretted the circumstance. He died in
his 46th year, September 8, 1806, at the Hotwells, Bristol. In his last
moments he was attended by Mr. Plowden, and departed without the
smallest apparent pain or agony. He was buried in the Romish chapel,
Trenchard-street, at the early hour of six, to prevent as much as
possible, a crowd; notwithstanding which, the street was so thronged,
that the assistance of the constables, was necessary to keep the door of
the chapel, and resist the importunity of the public to behold the
interment. It is supposed 2,000 persons at least were present. The
ceremony of High Mass was performed at ten o'clock. The coffin, of lead,
measured 9 feet 2 inches in the clear, and the wooden case 4 inches
more. It was 3 feet across the shoulders. No hearse could be procured
sufficiently long to contain it; on which account, that end of the
coffin which could not be shut in, was covered with black cloth.
Fourteen men bore him from the hearse to the grave, into which he was
let down with pulleys. To prevent any attempt to disturb his remains, of
which Cotter had, when living, the greatest horror, the grave was made
12 feet in a solid rock.