in 1821 he inherited a townhouse and a considerable fortune on his mother's death. he led a reclusive life and, in 1825, left southampton never to return, spending his time between calais in france and newington, surrey, near london. in 1842, he made a will leaving most of his estate to the city of southampton. he wished his house to become a museum designed to promote the study of natural history, astronomy, antiquities, classics, and oriental literature. in 1850, he died in calais, france, and was buried in the dissenters' burial ground, bunhill fields, in london.