Jeffrey Dunstan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jeffrey Dunstan
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| Born | c. 1759 |
| Died | 1797 |
| Nationality | British |
Jeffrey Dunstan (born around 1759, died 1797) was a well-known person in London during his time. He made a living by buying and selling old wigs in the West End of London. From 1785 to 1796, he was chosen as the "mayor" of a special event called the Garrat Elections.
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Jeffrey Dunstan's Early Life
Jeffrey Dunstan was a foundling, which means he was a child who had been abandoned and was cared for by the local community. He grew up in a special home called a workhouse in the parish of St. Dunstan's-in-the-East.
When he was about twelve years old, he started working for a greengrocer to learn the trade. However, he soon left and went to Birmingham, where he found work in factories.
Becoming a Wig Seller
In 1776, Jeffrey returned to London. His main job became buying old wigs. He had a very unique look, and he would clap his hands to his mouth while calling out "old wigs!" This funny way of selling always attracted a crowd of people following him in the streets.
The Garrat Elections
In 1785, after "Sir" John Harper passed away, Jeffrey Dunstan was chosen as the "mayor" of Garrat. From then on, people started calling him "Sir" Jeffrey Dunstan.
How the Elections Started
The Garrat elections began because of a small local problem. People were taking over parts of Garrat Common, which was public land located between Wandsworth and Tooting in Surrey. To protect their rights, the local people formed a group. The leader of this group was called the "mayor," and they decided he should be re-elected after every general election.
Soon, the public found this idea amusing, and the mock-election became very popular. Many unusual and funny characters would put themselves forward as candidates.
The Popularity of the Elections
The Garrat elections became a huge event. For example, in 1781, a newspaper reported that over 50,000 people gathered at Wandsworth for the septennial (every seven years) mock-election.
Sir Richard Phillips, another writer, mentioned that at the last two elections, the roads near Wandsworth were so crowded with vehicles that no one could move for hours. He also said that the candidates, dressed in funny costumes, were brought to the election stage in fancy carriages pulled by six horses! Even the carriage owners sometimes drove them.
Dunstan's Time as Mayor
"Sir" Jeffrey Dunstan was very popular because he had a great sense of humor and could make people laugh easily. He won three elections in a row. However, in 1796, he lost his "mayor" title to "Sir" Harry Dimsdale, who sold muffins and tin items.
This was the last Garrat election. Although people tried to bring the custom back about thirty years later, it wasn't successful.
Jeffrey Dunstan's Later Life
Jeffrey Dunstan even tried to perform on stage at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. He was supposed to play a character called Dr. Last. Many people came to watch, but even with lots of coaching, Jeffrey became too nervous when the curtain went up. He couldn't remember his lines, and the audience eventually booed him off the stage. Even though he was great at speaking at the elections, performing in a play was too different for him.
Jeffrey Dunstan's image also appeared on some special coins called "trade tokens." These tokens were made in 1795 by Thomas Hall, a taxidermist (someone who prepares, stuffs, and mounts animal skins) who had an exhibition of stuffed animals called the Finsbury Museum. The tokens celebrated the fact that Hall had hired Dunstan to help promote his exhibits at a big fair called Bartholomew Fair.
Jeffrey Dunstan passed away in 1797. He was buried in the churchyard of St Mary Matfelon in Whitechapel. Many artists and writers created pictures and stories about him, showing how famous he was in his time.
Today, the only known portrait of Jeffrey Dunstan is kept at Bootham Park Hospital in York. The artist who painted it is unknown.
