In 19thC Cornwall almost every town and village had its local conjurer who played an important role.

The study and practice of magic arts was by no means confined to the clergy in former days. In many instances the more studious members of the old West Country families who dwelt in the isolated mansions of West Penwith were wont to pass much of their time in drawing horoscopes, concocting drugs, and distilling strange compounds and cordials, by the aid of which they predicted remarkable events. Professing such powers, they were naturally held in awe and respect by their more illiterate neighbours, and were frequently called upon to raise spirits or to lay them to rest. Their reputation was still further enhanced by the powers with which they were accredited of being able to detect evildoers. As time went on, their mantles descended upon a poorer class of conjurer of whom almost every town and village had its representative. Crude as the methods of the latter were, they often exercised important influence upon local life.

Conjuering seems to have been a profitable trade for someone with a little education and some degree of showmanship.