The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1825-01-15 00:00:00

LONGEVITY.

[From the (aurora Clironiek.l
In our last we mentioned the death of a very old man at Barrow.
field. His name was Benjamin Pinkerton. He was of Scottish
descent, but was born in the county of Donegal, his forefathers
having fled there from Scotland during the time of the religious
persecution.
The family have been remarkable for longevity ; his father hay-
ing died aged 106, and an uncle of his attained 19, and another
11l years ; and they had scarcely ever a day's sickness. The de-
ceased came over to this country about 21 years ago, and wrought
regularly at his trade as a shoemaker, at the Black Quarry, till lie
was SC. Ilia wite died aged about 70, he having been advanced in
life when he married. About three years ago he lost the sight of
one of his eyes front a cold. He still continued to do a little for
his support by mending shoes , and a daughter of his, aged 50.
resided with him, and went about selling eggs, &c. for their mutual
subsistence. The poor old man was, however, very far front being
properly attended to during the increasing infirmity and helpless-
of his advanced age ; and numerous were the mournful complaints
he made to his acquaintances of the neglect shown him in his old
age. Ultimately the hoary-headed sage was forced to occupy the
wretched hole in which he died at Barrowtield—the entrance to it
was only though a mass of filth, and wading in dirty water, which
rendered the air quite impure. It is a spot well worthy of a visit
from the believers of the doctrine that poverty increases with the
means provided for its relict'. In this cold, damp,„clark, dirty ceil
did the old pilgrim and his daughter exist ; and when death came
to his aid, his daughter had to keep candles burning during the
day, to prevent people, when coming into their dreary abode of dark-
ness, from upsetting her father's remains. There was nothing in
the shape of furniture to be seen, except an old chair or two ;
and the eye filled on observing the miserable pallet on which
his venerable Inane hail lain during his illness. lie was ra-
ther small in stature, but was uncoturnonly active and smart,
considering his years. He walked about till within a short
time of his death. wrapped up in a wrt of great coat, sup-
port:a by his favourite stuff. He was of a remarkably lively
and cheerful disposition, had a very pleasing aspect, and
it was astonishing to witness the animation wild' he exhi-
bited in conversation. displaying all the fire of youth. His
intellect was little impaired, and lie was tractable to the last. He
had a very retentive memory, and was engaging company. He
would talk for hours of his tarty courtships, and the exploits of
his youth. Ile could give a very intelligent account of the events
of the times when he was in his prime, and the only mark of im-
becility he displayed was when he had ran through his story.
Tben, refixting on his destitute situation, and the hard-heart.
ednesa of his friends, he liseame quite enraged, stamped his feet,
and shook his stuff in displeasure, and declared his determination 1
to commence law proceedings against them. The rent of the place
he lodged in. three shillings a month, was paid for him ; and he
was allowed 18d. for sustenance. He was at harvest when he was
100 years of age ; and when lie was 102, he reaped nearly two days
at Attkenbead, on the Kil:narnock mad. He was placed among
the last of the rigs, that he might come up at leisure; but the
„spirited veteran epurned at this, end took his station among the
foremost of the shearers, and wait the third out of 50 that were first
done with their rigs. Ile made a pair of shoes for himself when
he was 100 years of age, and within these three months he mended
his own shoes. He was able to prepare the yarn for that purpose,
and put the bristle into it. He could see to thread a needle, and
mended his clothes till he was confined to bed. He was of cleanly
habits, and shaved himself till within a fortnight of his death.
His voice was good, though of course much declined, and he could
sing an excellent song be had learned during the troublesome times
of 1/45. His appetite continued goal till his last illness ; and he
could partake tit: any kind of food. lie was uncommonly fund of
smoking, and just bet to his dissolution, though he had not
strength' to draw the smoke, still ft was a satisfaction to him to
have the pipe placed between his teeth. He was uncommonly
abstinent in drinking all his life 4 for the last half century, he said
lie bad not drank half a ntutchkin of whisky.
On new year's morning the patnarch was tithed ap in his bed,
and said he was far through, and this was the last nut year's
morning Its would see : bat he would drink all their healthy', and
many happy returns of the season. He then took a glees of gin,
saying it was a long time since he had Annk, and it was the best'
spirits he had tasted for twenty years. lie invariably invoked a
blessing before taking his meals. Hr called all'his children about
him, gave them his last biasing, and charged them to bury him
beside the remains of Ids beloved wife. On Tuesday morning he
expired, ea if la a sleep.