John Deane was a real person, and I hope that the readers of this my
book about him will be as much pleased with it as I was with the history
of his adventures, placed in my hands by a friend who long resided at
Nottingham. He was born at that town A.D. 1679. Though of gentle
parentage, in his early days he followed the occupation of a drover. He
then went to sea, and became a Captain in the Navy; after that he was a
Merchant Adventurer. He next took service under Peter the Great, and
commanded a Russian ship-of-war. On leaving Russia, he obtained the
post of British Consul at Ostend, held by him for many years. Returning
home, he was made a Burgess of his native town, and took up his abode at
the neighbouring village of Wilford, where, in 1760, he died. In the
quiet churchyard of that sweet spot, his tomb and that of his beloved
wife Elizabeth are to be seen:--
"His age, fourscore years and one."
"After life's fitful fever, he sleeps well."
The Author.