The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1868-02-06
The Oldest Man in America.

lowing account of a man who lives
in that city, aged ia years:
In low cabin at the upper end
Of narrow alley branching off from
Fourth street east, between Has
tings and Antoine streets, there
dWells poor negro, known among
his kindred as ''OId Father Robin
SON." Itis customary to apply the
appellation "old" to those who
have passed their sixtieth year; but
in the case of Robinson the adjec-
tive requires an an additional one
to qualify it, for being now in his
Hath year, he is not only very cid,
but is doubtless, best entitled to the
oft repeated phrase, ''the Oldest in
habitant." Nor is his remarkable
longevity the sole feature in this
aged negro. Unlike many, his fac
rulties have been retained unim-
paired! Up to this week his vision
was undimmed and his hearing un-
usually acute, but during the last
few days he has failed rapidly, until
in his own expressive language,
''the clock has almostr run down
Robinson was born in August,
1853, on the plantation of Col. Du
Chiells in East Maryland Through
the war of the Revolution, Robin
son followed the fortunes Of his
master, serving him in the capacity
'of body guard. It was interesting
to sit and listed to this old man a
few months ago, before the film of
death had obscured his mental
vision, and hear him tell of the ex-
ploits of the Revolutionary soldiers,
and describe the terrible battle scenes
through which he had passed. A
sabre cut on the top of his head and
the loss of forefnger are the me-
mentoes of his valor. With cs-
pecial pleasure he would relate how
the British army surrendered at
Yorktown, and would depict the
scene when the proud Lord Corn
wallis delivered up his sword to
Gen. Washington.
| In the battle of New Orleans,
fought on January Sth, 1915, when
General Jackson overthrew the
British host under Packenham, Rob
inson also participated in the same
capacity as in the Revolutionary
war. A century is long period to
look back upon, yet Robinson could
describe the events Of his youth
with clearness and vigor, which al
ways rendered them interesting to
his auditors. In his humble cabin
many ofour respectable and wealthy
citizens have freqently assembled tc
minister to his feeble wants, in re-
turn for which he would repeat tht
story Of his life, and relate incident:
of the several crises through which
the nation has passed from it.
struggling infancy to its presen
grand proportions.
AS the reward of his faithful ser
vices, Robinson was manumittet
, some forty years ago. He ha:
, been married several times, but hi
children and his wives were separa
ted from him. His present wife
! with whom he has been living owe
t twenty years, is fifty nine years old
he being nearly double her age.
) When over eighty years of age ht
was still robust man, six feet il
, height and quite erect Such is the
result ola temperate and moral life
, At an early period he became con
nected with the Wesleyan Method
! lists, Of which Church he is still {
member Christian men, white ant
+ black, frequently stand beside hi;
! couch, and the impression left upor
them all is that Robinson has bull
= his hope on sure foundation.
One hundred and fourteen years
= Few would wish to live SO long
, Lite is sweet, and men cling to i
; with blind and struggling tenacity
+ but the majority would be willing t,
''fall asleep before q century hat
, passed over their heads. No longe
J is there left anything to bind us t.
;. earth, and the soul then natural
desires to return to the God VIII
4 gave it.
I EHrny, ba Earu,ar-s Chronicle