Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-02-18
AemD ss.

A Negro in htetrois Who Can Rccol-
lect Events ffefore she WpvOiation.
DsrRorT, MIcH., Feb. 10, when old
,iDadn Freeman was buried across the
river in Windsor few days ago IL WAS
believed that the Oldest man in the world
had been leid to rest, Dad was 1922
years old, ns conclusiyely proved before
his death, and left 1888 descendants. Since
FEaeman was buried some relic hunters
have brought forward man whose
authentic record fixes his age at the re-
markable figure of 1877 years. Tho proof
furnished leaves no room for any sort
Of doubt. The name of this man 10
Andrew Lucas. He is the father Of Mr., p.
A. Lucas, who for nine years past has
kept barber shop Of No. 81 Larned
street, West, this city. Mr.. Lucas was.
born slave under the father of General
jackson, he of 'eternap' fame, and was q
grown man when the general succeeded
to the paternal estate. He remembers
the revolutionary war distinctly and re-
calls many very interesting incidents Of
the second war between this country and
Great Britain. He declares that 1t Is as
distinct to him as yesterday when General
jackson went to New Orleans during that
very memorable struggle, when he accom-
panied the general as his body servant.
He describes the cotton bales piled up a.
a temporary fertilization.
Soon after this, at a time when the gen.
eral was away, Lucas was whipped for
some reason and ran away. He remem-
bers very woll why he was whipped, but
does not give the reason. He worked his
| way slowly north and crossed into Canada
at Black Rock, on the Niagara river. An
drew Kirby, then customs collector at
Fort Erie, sheltered him and helped him
to cross into Kings domain. Lucas
found employment in the family Of Cen
eral Brock, who was killed in the war Of
1912 at Queenstown Heights. Next he ran
/ on the Niagara river, under Captain John
Clinch, for whom he worked nine years,
and was then discharged by his employer
because the latter considered him too old
/ to be useful. Lucas was then go years
old.
Lucas soon found employment again,
this time at Kingston, Ont, where he
married his second wife. His slave wife
had borne him seven children. His second
and free wife bore him IL. One daughter
by this union is now living at East Sagi
nav, Mich. Her name is Mrs. Williams
and she is II years old. Fifty years age
Lucas removed to Brantford, Ont. Their,
he got work from the father of Judg,
Stevenson of Cayuga. The judge, though
now an old man himself remembers Luca
as man about 10 years old when he, as
! boy, was going to school.
For 20 years Lucas was q driver TO
the express company at Brantford ant
resigned the place 10 years ago for tn
reason tdat he was getting along in year
and felt the need Of rest. He has tn
frame of once powerful man and stand
six feet three inches in his stockings.
, year ago this month he sawed and spill
rs cords of wood for William e. Wallin
} of Brantford. Up to three years ago h
never wore spectacles, and during tn
: summer of 1883, when visiting his son i
Detroit, Mr.. Lucas read the city hal
r clock from in front of the Kirkwoo
4 House, across the Campus Martius. H
. then walked without the assistance of
( cane, being 1874 years old J
r This most remarkable case {
h longevity. Lucas is certainly as old q
: stated, and from his appearance to-da
: tpromises to hang on for some time
r come. This man is probably the oldei
i person living. He has witnessed the d,
!. yelopment of the most wonderful era !
{ the worlds his toryand has personal reco
q lections of all the many great events !
: | the career of This nation