The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-09-29
aisrellaneous.
EXTRAORDINARY LONGEVITY.
Compiled for the Democratic Adpocate
BY ]. S. @.

REV. FATHER BoEHM.-Though old
Father Noah had reached the ripe age Of
five hundred before he took unto himself
a wife, very few of his posterity ever at.
tain a single hundred. Clergymen as q
class are short-lived, and it is said thai
there is but single centenarian among
them. This is the Rev. Henry Boehm, Of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, whose
centennial was celebrated with great eclat
on the Sth Of June, 1875, in the York
street Methodist Episcopal Church, in Jer-
Sey City. He was born at Lancaster,
Pennsylvania, June 8, 1775, nine years
before the first Methodist church was erec-
ted in America. In his youth the Union
comprised but thirteen States; New York
city extended only to Canal street, which
was huge ditch, and Brooklyn was an
insignificant village. He well remembered
when Washington was President, and cast
his first vote for John Adams in 1896.
He was licensed to preach june 6, 1900,
and has consequently belonged to the min
istry for three-quarters of century. A
purse Of $500 was presented to him. The
aged patriarch pronounced the benedic-
ton. Father Boehm is the Oldest minis
ter in the world, with one exception, Rev.
DR.. james Ingram, Of the Free Church of
Scotland, who, at the age of one hundred
years, and in the seventy fourth of his
ministry, still performs pastoral duties in
one of the Shetland Islands.
In Shropshire, England, Thomas Spear,
aged l63 years-married at the age of 30,
and widower at 43, had 2 children, bow
and girl, who lived more than century.
When 11S years Of age, Spear was fined
and publicly punished for having seduced
a young girl. At his funeral 63s of his
descendants were present. We believe
that this was the Oldest man that lived on
the face of the earth.
Mrs. Hester Authors, of Caroline eoun-
ty, Nd, who is ia years old, was present
at the signing of the Declaration Of Inde-
pendence.
Mrs. Anna NJ. Riddle, of Mount Pleas
ant township, Adams county, Pa, has at
tanned the age of lO4 years. She was
born in Hesse Darmstadt in 1773,-she is
the Oldest person in the county.
Michael Edwards, Of MoundsvilIe, w.
Va, died on Monday, the 9th of April,
1876. He was born in York, Pa, ON the
18th of August, 1868, and remained there
until 1901, after which he removed to his
late residence, where he remained until
his death. He was a member of the
Laurel Fire Company, Of York, and was
the Oldest fireman in the United States.
Mrs. Col. Schnebley, Of Washington
county, Nd, celebrated her 1o3d birthday
on Thursday, February %, 1876. She is
still enjoying excellent health and bids fair
to live several years yet.
Gen. Washington's colored servant, Ca
rey, was buried June 4, 1s43, from @ reen
leafs Point, near Washington, d. O., and
followed to the grave by large number
Of blacks. He was about ia years of
age, and was for many years hostler to
Gen. Washington, whom he served at the
passage of the Delaware, and at the battle
Of Brandywine and Trenton.
The deaths Of two persons over 100 years
ofage were reported in Baltimore, recently.
Mrs. Mary Smith, who died at the Home Of
the Little Sisters of the Poor, is reported to
have reached the extraordinary age Of Ill
years. She was born in Baltimore, but as
her faculties were greatly impaired, and
she had reached the stage Of second
childhood" before the Sisters took charge
of her, nothing could be learned Of he,
history. The other centenarian was Susar
Carr, colored, who died at the house d
her granddaughter, at the reputed age O
loo years She was born at Snow Hin
Worcester CO., Nd, in the year Of 177O
and was slave Of Mr.. Muller. She wa
manumitted by her master, and came viii
her husband to Baltimore about seyentI
years ago. She was member Of the Dai
las Street Colored NJ. e. Church for man,
years. Der husband died number .
years ago. She was taken sick ahottlj
before Christmas, but was not confined Z
her bed until two weeks since.
The death Of Mrs. Isabella G. Safely
the centenaFian, which took place On fls
18th Of February, 1876, at Mk Vernon
Iowa, Il Announced. She Was horn nea,