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Remarkable Cases of Longevity in the 18th Century
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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...
| Jan 12, 1775 |
Peter Garden,
Auchterless, at the extraordinary age of 131.
He retained his memory and senses till within a short time of his death.
He lived under 10 rulers and sovereigns, viz., Charles I., Oliver
Cromwell, Richard Cromwell, Charles II., James II., William and Mary, Anne
and George I., George II, and George III. |
| Apr 19, 1777 |
Grisel
Strath, Fyvie, 102. During her whole life she had
enjoyed excellent health, she was most regular in her habits. |
| May 19, 1777 |
Louisa
Begg, widow of Alexander Mollison, maltman, Aberdeen,
101. She retained her faculties till near the last, and her eyesight was
so good that a week before her death she was able to read her Bible
without the aid of spectacles. |
| Jan 14, 1778 |
George
Symon, Wester Micras, in the Parish of Tullich, aged
109. |
| Jan 23, 1778 |
Janet Craig,
Rothiemay, 110. She was never beyond the bounds
of her native Parish, and during her whole life enjoyed the best of health. |
| May 4, 1778 |
William
Volum, mason, aged 100. |
| Jun 17, 1778 |
James May, elder, near
Turriff, aged 103. |
| Oct 25, 1778 |
William Duncan, Aberdeen, aged 108. |
| May 3, 1779 |
Alexander Forsyth, shoemaker, Keith, 109. He retained his vigour and health till within a few days of his death. |
| Apr 29, 1780 |
Janet
Kynoch, Aberdeen, 105. |
| Oct 7, 1782 |
Charles Leslie, hawker, Old Rain, aged 105. He was well
known as a ballad singer and frequenter of fairs and markets, and was able
to prosecute his calling till within a week or two of his death. |
| Apr 14, 1783 |
Jean Will, Saint Fergus, 101 |
| Nov 3, 1783 |
Elizabeth Clark, Troup, 104. She resided in the Parish of
Slains 101 years, and did not give over working till she had passed her
hundredth year. |
| Mar 15, 1784 |
Jean Craig, widow, 103. |
| Jul 28, 1784 |
John Thomson,
labourer, Mundale, near Forres, 107, and was
father to 45 children, grandfather to 86. He retained his senses, and was
able to follow his usual employment till two days before his death. He was
twice married, great-grandfather to 97, and great-great-grand father to
23, making the magnificent total of 251. |
| Jan 17, 1785 |
John Drum, Aberdeen, besom maker, aged 103. |
| Feb 15, 1785 |
Christian Gavin, about 103. |
| Oct 17, 1785 |
William Auld, Huckster, Aberdeen, 101. |
| Mar 8, 1787 |
John
Greig, Cotbank, Glenbirnie, 102. |
| Feb 9, 1789 |
John Bruce, beggar, Aberdeen, aged 102. |
If you are related to any of the above I'd love to hear from
you! Contact me here
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