The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-06-11
THE OLDEST MAN.
RICHARD GREEN DIES AGED t25
YEARS.
He Was Probably The Oldest Man I'm
America and Native of Charles
ton, But n Resident of Sumter More
Than Fifty Years.

From the Daily Item. June I.
Richard Green. who was probably
the oldest man in the United States,
died at his home on Manning Avenue
this morning. He was born in Char
lesion county February II, 1885, and
was therefore one hundred twenty
hve years. three months and
twenty-one days old.
He was born a slave and was own
ed by the Manigault family in whose
service he remained until the estate
was sold for division. Somewhere
about 1850 he was purchased by
Lawrence Belser. a contractor who
built part OF the Wilmington and
Manchester railroad. Richard was
brought TO Sumter at that time to
work on the railroad as wagon
driver. being then too old to do heavy
work. In this connection the writer
was told a good many years ago by
the late Abraham Ruffin. who died a
very old man, that he worked with
Richard Green on the w. & M. road
In 1852 and that Richard was then
a man we'll past middle age. apparent
~ at least sixty years. While here
Richard married q woman owned by
Mrs. Buford and she purchased him
from Mr.. Belser. Later on Richard
was bought by the late Myles Nor
an in whose service he continued
until emancipation.
Until a year or two ago Richard
was we'll preserved and talked in
telligently and interestingly. He gave
an interesting account of the visit OF
Washington to Charleston in 1892 and
also of I.aFayette's visit, giving many
dtails Of the public entertainments pro-
vided for these distinguished visitors by
the people OF Charleston. He also told
OF many other notable events in the
early history of Charleston which he
recollected and related with a circum-
stantional detail that was convincing
There Is every reason to believe
that Richard was as old as he claim
cd 10 be. and that he has persisted in
the claim that he was born on Feb,
II. 1885: for the past twenty-five or
thirty years. many residents of Sum-
ter can testify. With the data which
he was able to furnish, some Of
which is still available. II would have
been possible to verify his state
ments as to the date of his birth and
his age at the time Of his sale by the
Manigault estate. He said that at
the time he was sold at the settle
ment of his Masters estate. he did not
bring a big price. as he was sold las
an old man" not able on account of
his age 10 perform many years Of
hard labor.
Richard leaves no near relatives so
far as is known. He had one son.
Capers Green. by the wife he married
after coming To Sumter. but he died
some years ago. One granddaughter
was living in Chicago a few years
ago and he occasionally received
letters from her. but of other descend
ants he never talked. except to say
that he had several children by the
wife. or wives. he had had in his
ePrly manhood while living in Char
lesion.
He had been unable to perform any
manual labor for at least ten years
and was cared for by the charita BILE
people Of this city. Until the past
two years ne was familiar figure on
the stree.s as he went about. with a
placard on his hat showing his age
and birthday, soliciting aims. Re-
Gently his support has been largely
provided by Mr.. Ed. witherspoon who
provided him a house and saw TO
II that he was never In actual need.