Nathan, formerly slave of Benj. W. Bodie, died last year in Mississippi, Talbot Co., aged 107.
Christopher Mann, of Independence, Missouri, died last year, aged 111.
The oldest of all, and probably the oldest minister in the world, is Rev. Thos. Tenant, of Vineyard Township, Arkansas, an itinerant Methodist preacher, born in 1771, now in his 116th year.
Mr. Edward Gentry told a more remarkable story at Indianapolis, last July. He was at the governor’s office, and gentlemen were guessing at his age. None supposed him over fifty; but he said he had a son fifty-two years old, and was himself seventy-eight. He added: “My doctor has given me a fifty years’ longer lease on my life, barring accidents. My father is 128 and is still living. My mother died at the age of 117, and her mother lived to the same age.” Mr. Gentry is of English birth.
Perhaps the best specimen of family health is that of the Atkinson family of Gloucester, Mass. Nine children were born, and all lived. The first death in the family was a few weeks ago, when John Atkinson died, aged eighty-four. When he died the ages of the nine amounted to 703 years.
Aunt Dinah John, the oldest Indian at the Onondaga reservation died in May, 1884, aged 109.
About ten years ago, when Governor Seymour was about to make an address at an Indian fair on the Onondaga reservation, Aunt Dinah walked upon the platform and asked to be introduced to him.
Mr. Gardner said, “Governor Seymour, this is Aunt Dinah, who wants to become acquainted with you.”
“Oh, no; him get acquainted with me,” Aunt Dinah explained. “Me know him before he know anybody. Many years ago me go to Pompey Hill, his father’s grocery. Governor’s father say: ‘My squaw very sick.’ I ask, ‘What matter?’ His father say, ‘Go in and see for yourself.’ He go into a room; see a little pappoose about a foot long.” Then moving toward Governor Seymour, and pointing her finger at him, she said: “That pappoose was you, Governor Seymour, born that night.”
Aunt Dinah called frequently at Mr. Seymour’s and took especial delight in rocking the cradle and showering caresses in her native fashion upon the future Governor of the State.