Our Oldest Citizen.

The twenty second instant is the birthday of Joseph Williams.  He will then begin his one hundredth year.  He is a native of North Carolina, but lived in Hawkins county, East Tennessee most of his early life.  More than fifty years ago he came to Georgia.  He lived a long while at Newnan, and did much of the stone and brick work, years ago, at Columbus.  He remarked Wednesday that he “was not hatched in the sun, but had done as much outdoor work as any living man in America.”

Mr. Williams is one of the most intelligent aged gentlemen with whom we have conversed.  He lives with his children here, and he spends the greater portion of the day at the store of his son and son-in-law—Stokely & Williams.  “Time about is fair play,” says the old man in connection with the kindly care taken of him.  He is as “sound as a dollar” and in perfect health, eats three meals a day, and had medical attention once in a half century, and then only had cholic.  Six weeks ago he felt at night, after going to bed, well, that he was going to have an attack of paralysis, both his body and mind being effected.  Promptly did he get himself strait in bed, expecting to be dead in a few hours at most.  He did not call any of the family, as he did not care to disturb them--all of his arrangements were made.  In 1814, he joined the army of his Master for the war, and he had his armor on.  Nearly two thirds of a century he has been a Methodist.  Has known Dr. Lovic Pierce for years, and is five years older than he.