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Remarkable Cases of Longevity in the 18th Century

The average person in the 18th century would not have been expected to live much longer than their late forties or early fifties

Now consider the following instances of extreme longevity, pertaining to those belonging mainly to the North-Eastern counties of Scotland. These statistics were extracted from the Aberdeen Journal in the latter half of the 18th century...

May 3, 1762	Agnes Christie, Midmar, 104 years. She was hale and vigorous to the last, as evidenced by her walking 16 miles in one day about 2 months before her death.
Dec 27, 1762	James Robertson, farmer, Mill of Drumnahoy, Cluny, aged upwards of 100.
Mar 7, 1763	John Connon, labourer, Quin, 105. He retained all his faculties and was quite able to walk about till within 48 hours of his decease.
Apr 25, 1764	Margaret Cooper, Deshir, in the Parish of Auchindoir, 105
Apr 30, 1764	Robert Williamson, Wardhead of Countesswells, 98. He was married 74 years ago to Isobel Watt, who is now left a widow in the 100th year of her age. This remarkable woman was in such excellent health at the time as to be able to attend the Market in Aberdeen selling her poultry and eggs.
Nov 2, 1767	Isobel Watt, Belhelvie, 105.
Feb 22, 1768	Alexander Barron, slater, Aberdeen, 102 years. He wrought at his business till within a few months of his death.
Dec 1, 1770	Margaret Morice, Cove, 105.
Dec 24, 1770	John Dinnes, Mains of Crimond, 102. He was present at the battle of Killiecrankie in 1689, and was able to do manual labour till within 14 days of his death.
Mar 11, 1771	James Frost, Newhills, 104. He retained all his faculties and health till within a few weeks of his death
Apr 1, 1771	George Keith, Banchory-Devenick, 100. 38 of his children and grand-children followed his remains to the grave.
Apr 8, 1771	James Dickie, Slains Castle, 109.
Aug 18, 1771	Elizabeth Gordon, Lady Leuchars, Glasgow, 111. She was a relation of the Duke of Gordon, and grand aunt to the Earl of Fife.
Jan 15, 1772	Peter Hay, weaver, Old Aberdeen, 100
Mar 2, 1772	Michael Yule, Skelmuir, Old Deer, aged 105
Jun 17, 1772	Alexander Gordon, Invertrommie in Badenoch, aged 108. He did not know what it was to be ill or sick till within a month of his death.
Nov 23, 1772	Isobel King, widow, Fochabers, 108. Her husband who predeceased her reached the age of 98 years. They had lived together, in the married state upwards of 66 years.
Feb 11, 1773	Mrs Cadenhead, Aberdeen, aged 103.
May 24, 1773	Robert Guthrie, Drumoak, 103.
Nov 2, 1774	Isobel Walker, Daviot, 110.

Remarkable Cases of Longevity in the 18th Century

The average person in the 18th century would not have been expected to live much longer than their late forties or early fifties

Now consider the following instances of extreme longevity, pertaining to those belonging mainly to the North-Eastern counties of Scotland. These statistics were extracted from the Aberdeen Journal in the latter half of the 18th century...

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