The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1910-06-23
THE OLDEST MAN.
Richard Green Dies in Sumter Aged
1875 Years.


the oldest man in the United States,
died at his home on Manning Avenue
this morning. He was born in Charles
ton county, February II, 1885, and
was therefore one hundred and twen-
ty-five 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 Rufin, who died
very old man, that he worked with
Richard Green on the w. & M. road
in 1852 and that Richard was then
a man well past middle age, apparent
ly at least sixty years. While here
Richard married a 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 un-
til 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 LaFayette's visit, giving
many details of the public entertain
ments provided for these distinguish
ed visitors by the people of Charles
ton. He also told of many other no
table events in the early history of
Charleston which he recollected and
related with a circumstancial detail
that was convincing that he was an
eyewitness.
There is every reason to believe
that Richard was as old as he claim
ed to 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 Sumter can testify. With the data
which he was able to furnish, some
of which is still available, it would
have been possible to verify his state
ments as to the date Of his birth and
his age at thetime 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 "as
an old man" not able on account Of
his age to perform many years Of
hard labor.
Richard leaves no near relatives 80
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 few years ago
and he occasionally received letters
from her, but of other descendants
he never talked, except to say that
he had several children by the wife,
or wives he had in his early manhood
while living in Charleston.
He had been unable to perform any
manual labor for the last ten years
and was cared for by the charitable
people of this city. Until the past
two years he was a familiar figure on
the streets as he went about, with a
placard on his hat showing his age
and birthday, soliciting aims. Re-
rently his support has been largely
provided by Mr.. Ed. Witherspoon,
who provided him a house and saw
to it that he was never in actual
need.-Sumter Daily Item, June Z.