E. G. Ballard.
Longevity (Vol. vii., pp. 358. 504.).—Our friend A. J. is certainly not one of the "remnant of true believers." By way of aiding in the crusade to convert him to the faith, I hereunder quote a couple of instances, "within the age of registers," which I trust will in some degree satisfy his pagan incredulity. The parish registers of the township of Church Minshull, in Cheshire, begin in 1561, and in the portion for the year 1649 appears the following:
"Thomas Damme, of Leighton, buried the 26th of February, being of the age of seven score and fourteen."
This entry was made under the "Puritan dispensation," when the parish scribe was at any rate supposed to be an "oracle of truth." Here, however, is another instance, culled from the Register of Burials for the parish of Frodsham, also in Cheshire:
"1512/3. Feb. 12. Thomas Hough, cujus ætas cxli."
And again, on the very next day after—
"—— Feb. 13. Randle Wall, ætas 104."
I have met with other instances, but those now enumerated will probably suffice for my present purpose.
T. Hughes.
Chester.