It is possible that the honoured names of Rothschild and Montefiore date from a purchase by some one of their ancestry of Gentile castles or lands, and with it the purchase right of name.
Davis is legitimately Jewish, but probably the Gentile name of Davis cannot boast of its pure source, and no doubt where Gentile pedigree loses trace, Jewish descent commences, either by a left-handed Jew connexion with a Gentile fair one, or a renegade ancestry.
Israel ben Isaac.
Red Lion Square.
Longevity (Vol. viii., p. 113.).—On October 15, Judy, a slave, died on the plantation of Edmund B. Richardson, in Bladen county, North Carolina, aged 110 years. She was one of eight slaves who nearly sixty years ago were the first settlers on the plantation, where she died. Of the seven others, one died over 90 years of age, another 93, and a third 81; two are living, one 75 and the other over 60 years of age.
Within five miles of the place where Judy died, William Pridgen lived, who died about five years ago, aged 122 years.
David Kennison, a soldier of the Revolution, died near Albany (N. Y.) on the 24th of February, 1852, aged 117 years.
M. E.
Philadelphia.
Reversible Names (Vol. viii., p. 244.).—Emme might have been added to your correspondent's list, a female name which, when first known in England, was spelt as above written, and not Emma, as at the present time. In an old book I have seen the name and its meaning thus recorded,—in English, Emme; in French, Emme, bonne nourrice.