Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-02-04
CHAS. MOTIN'SFU
BELIEVED-TU HAVE BEEN 116
oHE4Hs OLD.
Probably Descended From Band Of
Mandingo Negroes, but Had No
Afriean characteristics.
'.Ie-LIyGg Il


Funeral sefvices-will be conducted Fri
day evening at g. O'Clock over the remains
or Charles 1oten,,, the aged colored man
who died at the home of his daughter. coll
E street northwest, lat o'clock last evening.
Moten was HyObahly the Oldest resident of
this city, it being, stated by his children and
grandchildren that he was born us years
ago. Occoquan, Va, Is claimed as the
birthplace of the centenarian. and up to
the civil war it is stated that he had served
under seven different masters. From what
can be learned of his history, it is thought
that he was descendant of one of a
small band of Mandingo negroes. number
OF whom were imported from Senegal and
distributed through the colonies prior to the
revolution. The members Of the tribe from
Wnicn ne Is thought to have been descended
mad large percentage of Arab and Moor
oiooo In their veins, to the extent that their
features were decidedly 'unAfrican They
practiced the Mohammedan religion, and
were excellent horsemen.
No African characteristics.
The deceased had remarkably fine fea-
lures and long, flowing hair, which showed
none OF the characteristics of the African.
during his younger days he was an expert
horse breaker and veterinarian, and often
Travelled all over the state to break colts
or to care for the sick animals of his mas
ters acquaintance. He also had a turn
Tor mechanics and mathematics. He wit
messed the famous failing of the stars in
1883 In 1880 he became the property Of
Breazaie Gordon Of Fredericksburg. Va,
subsequently being sold to Robert Garrison
OF STAFFORD, at whose death he passed into
possession OF the latter's daughter, Mrs
Jennie cooper, remaining with her until
1851. He came to this city from Stafford
county and followed the trade of carpenter
until 1882. when he was stricken with blind
ness. From that date until his death he re-
sided with his daughter, at whose home he
died. Ia
He remembered, incidents connected with
the war Of 1872. the appearance Of Captain
Gordons fleet in the Potomac river and the
burning OF the old council hall by General
Ross In 1874 He also recollected events
taxing place at the time of the Mexican
war "A strong proof of his old age is his
recollection of the Virginia Indians, of their
customs and the trouble they occasioned
the settlers. -=..fss
During his early boyhood he hauled stone
from the old quarry at Dumfries for the
treasury building and Capitol.
Father Of Twenty Three Children.
He married 'once only. his wife, Molly
Moten. dying twenty-five years ago. He
was the father of twenty-three children.
seven Of whom were sold and taken to
Huntsville, Mo-. before the civil war. Many
Of them are stiH living,
Alexander Moten, his youngest son. is an
additional policeman In No. 8 precinct and
patrol driver, and a man Of middle life. His
grandchildren numberoup into the sixties,
and few of t9emi are under twenty.
Moten was I'd superior type Of colored
man. dignifedG polite, well bred and unas-
suming. Heswas "a member Of the Baptist
church, and 1entoysd lifelong reputation
for honesty, probityand integrity. He was
long a faithful servant of ex-Commissioner
Douglas, andIRnjoyed the esteem of a large
number of the oldest citizens of Washing
ton and of tho vicinity where he was born.
His mind remainedoclear until the last, and
his death wah DUE rather to extreme old
age than to any other cause.