News from The Standard

 
The Standard
Cassville, Georgia
February 26, 1857, Page 2
 
Transcribed by:  
 

The Oldest Man In America.

Mr. Smith:  A recent notice in a New York paper makes Peter Nassau, a colored man, residing at Woodstock, Vermont, the oldest man in America.  He has attained the extraordinary age of one hundred and twenty-six years.  Albeit, in this era of short lived humanity, this appears a wonderful accumulation of years, there is in our own Sunny South an example of longevity that considerably surpasses it.

There is now living in Murray county, in this State, on the waters of Holley Creek, a Revolutionary veteran, who has attained the age of one hundred and thirty-four.  His name is JOHN HAMES.  He is known throughout the region in which he lives by the appellative of “Gran’sir Hames.”  Gran’sir in contracted from Grand Sire.  A grand sire he truly is.  As I was on my way to visit this relict of the expired eighteenth century, I inquired of an oldish gentleman of about sixty, if he knew him.  “Oh, yes, I know him,” said he. “He is my grandfather.”

John Hames was born in Mecklenburgh county, Virginia, and was a lad ten years old, when Washington was in his cradle.  He was thirty-two when Braddock met his disastrous defeat on the Menonguhela.  He, with several of his neighbors, set forth to join the headstrong and ill-fated commander, but after several days march, were turned back by the news of his overthrow.  He migrated to South Carolina nearly one hundred years ago.  He was in thirteen considerable conflicts during the war of Independence, and in skirmishes and rencountres with Indians, with tories and with British times, beyond memory.  He was with Gates at Camden, with Morgan at the Cow Pens, with Greene at Hillsboro’, and Eutaw, and with Marion in many a bold rush into a tory camp or red-coat quarters.

He remains among us like a monument of an age that has passed away, an example of astonishing longevity.  He has lived a subject of different British Kings for fifty three years, and enjoyed the freedom of his country for upwards of eighty.  He has looked into the graves of five generations.  The old patriarch is still quite smart and hearty.—He converses with a smile, and occasionally laughs very hearty.  He attributes his long life, first of all, to an unwavering trust in the goodness of Divine Providence.  He has always believed through the many years of his long life that the Almighty was ever present to protect and sustain him.  Another means is extreme simplicity of diet.  “For one hundred years of my life,” said he, “mush and milk was my breakfast, and milk and mush was my supper.”

He has always lived on the frontier, having begun seven times in the woods.  The flesh he ate for his midday meal was that of wild animals.  He was never wealthy.  He always had a plenty of such as his frugal wants required.  He was never in debt.—His mind was never harassed by the troublesome cares of those who owe.  He is in the enjoyment of tolerable health.  He stands and sits erect, and is able to walk to church, a mile from home.  He will probably live several years longer. –D. S.

********************

Page 3.

H. P. FARROW,
Attorney at Law,
Cartersville, Cass county, GA.

Having removed to this place (from Laurensville, S. C.,) will practice in the various courts of the Cherokee circuit, and any business entrusted to his care will be promptly attended to.  His undivided attention will be devoted to his profession. Office, next door to the store of Milner, Kennedy & Co.

References Hon. H. C. Young, Laurensville, S. C.; Hon. James L. Orr, Anderson, S.C.; Col. James H. Irby, Laurens, S. C.; Col. J. W. Watts, Cass county, Ga.

Feb. 19

 

GO TO: Text Site Map
 
CONTACT US
archives@bartowhistorymuseum.org
770-382-3818 ext. 6283
13 N Wall Street
Cartersville, Georgia 30120

Home
Bartow GenWeb Coordinator: Trey Gaines   
Georgia GenWeb State Coordinator: Linda Blum-Barton

          ©2002 - 2019 Bartow History Museum

Last modified: May 26, 2007