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Jesse Tetlow

The following is from a publication by the Oldham Art & Museum Services:

One of the most remarkable of local characters was the eccentric Jesse Tetlow, known as the 'Chadderton Miser' or 'Hermit'. Despite his title Jesse did not isolate himself completely from the world, married three times, he merely desired the opportunity to live according to his own philosophy, needs and wishes.

A gifted ornithologist and taxidermist, he had an extensive and varied collection of birds and reptiles in his cottage at 4 Heights Lane, Chadderton Fold. All kinds of creatures were on display, including eagles, quail, an alligator, and a gigantic Australian crane. Squirrels, sharks, crocodiles, owls, otters, pheasant, butterflies and stuffed bats completed his collection.

Chadderton MiserIt was the sight of this strange, stuffy, dark museum -full of nooks and crannies, access to which was by a rickety stair - and the appearance of the 'Chadderton Miser' himself that drew thousands of sightseers to the hermitage. Jesse saw that they paid a copper or two for the experience. In 1892, when Jesse was in his early nineties, the great collection was sold. He is described at this time as "bowed down with age but not infirm, and his sight was remarkably good. His long white locks escape from a sort of hairy skullcap and play about his neck with a freedom that suggests juvenility. But this suggestion is countered by ... his nether garments ... a short skirt ... descending on one side to the middle of his thighs and on the other side to a little below the amplest part of his body ... being attached to his waist by a girdle like that which John the Baptist wore on the banks of the River Jordan. A pair of knee breeches ... a pair of uncouth leggings ... and a pair of strong shoes are the remaining articles which constituted his clothing."

The Oldham artist, Haughton Hague, was a close friend of the Hermit, and when his first exhibit was hung at the Royal Academy in 1875 it was of "Owd Jesse, the Chadderton Miser."

Photo

Eric Tetlow has kindly supplied the following material (possibly from Lancashire Life?) relating to Jesse:

 

Jesse Tetlow - "the Chadderton Miser"
Silk Weavers Cottages Jesse Tetlow

Former silk weavers cottages are still much in evidence , though it's doubtful if their earlier inhabitants would recognize them today. White-painted, behind their colourful front gardens, they are reminiscent of the dwellings of pop-up fairy-tale picture books. One, formerly known as The Chadderton Hermitage and Museum, or Th' Owd Miser's Cottage, was the home of Jesse Tetlow, taxidermist. Here one could stand in awe at the sight of his mighty collection of stuffed animals: sharks, squirrels, moles, bats, owls, eagles and a vast array of British and foreign birds, not to mention the Australian crane and the crocodile. You didn't pay to go in, but Jesse was waiting for your penny on the way out! The whole collection was sold in 1892 when Jesse was ninety-two.

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Date page was last edited: 29 October 2001