Virginia advocate. [volume] (Charlottesville, Va.) 1827-1860, 1830-09-24
MISCELLANEOUS.

FROM TIE C3UClRHItt CNF0UlCte.--
The writer of the following sketch Of
David Wilson is a gentleman of We.
racity who is personally known to US.
He states that his details of this eccen.
trio centenarian are all founded in truth
having been drawn from the most au-
thentic sources.
account of David Wilson.-'rhis
singular individual was one of the ear
Hest emigrants to Kentucky.-From
the time of his settlement in the coun-
try, till within few years past, he re-
sided few miles south of Port William
At the mouth of Kentucky river, on the
waters of Mill creek. The place of his
abode and his style of living are not
more remarkable. than the character
of the individual himself; and all |
could learn of and concerning him, are
in perfect harmony and good keeping.
The habtation in which he spent so
many and happy days, was composed
of round poles and Kentucky mud. 1t
consisted Of two apartments, simply,
with no out house or cellar. During
his residence in this singular place or
abode, he became the husband of five
wives, aud the father Of fortysix chill
dren.
According to his own account of
himself, he was born in New Jersey, in
the year 1928. He is, in height, about
five feet six inches. His muscular
frame and strength Of constitution,
seemed to have de6ed the decay Of
years, or the hardshps and buffetings
of a backwoods life. The scientific
and curious have examined the confor-
nation of this singular being, so far
as practicable, and they represent his
ribs, unlike those of his fellow mortals,
separate and distinct, but as united
together, forming on each side solid
sheet of bone in short, that the vital
part is safely deposited in strong
box" defying all attacks of foes from
without
AT the age Of SO, he was in the en-
joyment Of entire health his teeth all
sound, his weight about 100, and his
muscular strength truly astonishing.
He never shook hands with an athletic
man, but he gave him such a grip that
he was fain to beg for mercy. AT that
advanced age, he could perform more
labor than ordinary men could in the
prime of life. His neighbors mention
as proof not only Of his good consti-
tuition, but of his undiminished activity,
that at his advanced age, he would leap
from the ground, and crack his feet
together, with the agaility o! boy of
l6.
Some FIVE or six years since, he re-
moved to Indiana, there to build him
self a new Initiation, plant new COL
ony, and become the father OF new
race. He is now living near VersaiI-
les, Ripley county, Indiana, with his
sixth wife, and has two children of the
new stock.
Col. Burr.-Amopg the most interesting
incidents during our stay here was visit
that we paid to Col. Aaron Burr, once hold.
ing an exalted station in this government
and in the estimation of his country. but clos
ing his career by an enterprise which proved
fatal to his reputation, blighted all his hopes
OF further political advancement, and leopard
ized his life itself for considerable length of
time. Going to see him with brave and
patriotic American officer, with whom he
mad been formerly on intimate terms, and for
whom he still retains a warm personal freind-
ship, had every opportunity of free CONVEX
sation with Colonel Burr. Delicacy, of course.
forbade my INDUCING in any alluson to his
western expedition, which, I believe, contem.
plated only the subjugation of Mexico, and
not the severance Of the states. But upon
every other topic Col. Burr was unreservod.
sPrlghtly and remarkably intelligent Tn.
YARDS OF seventy years Of age, his intellectu.
al Faculties seem TO remain uDimpaired-his
bodily powers far less feeble than could have
been supposed. When we called at his house
no was not at home--but expressing an anxi.
ETY. to soc him, a little boy, one of the many
objects of his benevolent liberalitv. educated
and supported by him, conducted US to the
ofhce OF an examiner in chancery, where we
we're met by the Col with all the politeness and
frankness for which no was formerly disIin.
guished. He left the case to which he was
attending with his junior counsel, and return
ed 10 his house with us. His office. into
which we were invited, was full Of books and
papers, many Of thsn having the sppssraucs