I don't know how far back "Hewson the cobbler" really goes, but there is a reference to him in a verse of this song from around 1670

"She lookt with one eye just like Hewson Ye Cobbler"


Newes from Hide-Parke

A later and more legible copy is here:

News from Hide-Park


Also interesting is the story, in which a man hires what he thinks is a young lady, but by the time she takes off her wig, takes out her glass eye, removes her false teeth and her makeup, he has lost interest.

"She drew out her handkerchief as I suppose
To wipe her high forehead, and off dropt her nose"




I seem to recall versions of this story much more recently!