William Cussans

Who is William Cussans?

William Cussans, or Curzons, a native of Barbadoes, who lived upon an income allowed him by his family, was a most eccentric fellow, perfectly good-tempered, and particularly well known in Covent-garden and its vicinity. Cussans once hired himself as potman, under Paddy Moore, at the north-west corner of Russell-street, in Covent Garden; where he fined the beer, served it out, and collected in the pots, receiving the half-pence people thought proper to give him; these he put by, and upon his departure, at the expiration of his stipulated time, he distributed them amongst the servants of the house. During this and several other whims, be never was known to smile, nor would he attend to any thing but the business in which he was engaged. He once went as a coal-heaver for a month, and whatever he said he would do, he steadfastly performed. He made an excellent chimney-sweeper at the masquerades at the Pantheon and the Opera-house; and was author of the popular song of Robinson Crusoe, though, since his death, it has been claimed by several other persons. One of the verses runs thus:

"He got all the wood

That ever he could,

And he stuck it together with glue so;

He made him a hut.