according to maple's account, in the last few weeks of pickingill's life, when he had become very ill, the local people moved him to the infirmary against his will, where he declared that at his funeral there would be one more demonstration of his magical powers. many locals interpreted this as coming true when as the hearse carrying his coffin drew up to the churchyard, the horses stepped out of their harness shafts. his body was subsequently buried in the church's graveyard, whilst his abandoned house gradually became dilapidated before falling down.