THE OLDEST SPECIMEN OF HUMANITY.

Patea Mail, Volume I, Issue 3, 31 October 1887, Page 2

THE OLDEST SPECIMEN OF HUMANITY.

<j _— Tho oldest specimen of humanity alive, according- to American papers, is James James, a negro, a citizen of the United Slates, who resides at Santa I’usa, Mexico. Ho was, it is alleged, born near Dorchester, South Carolina, in 17o;J, and is consequently ra his 1 odth veer. Whilo an infantile was removed to Medway I’iiver, Uooivia In 1772 Ids master, James James (from whom he takes his name) moved to man* Charleston, South Garo liua. On Juno die 4th, 177(3, when 21 years of age, Jim took part in the action against the British fleet under Sir i’o'cr Parker, who attacked Charleston. Jim followed his master throughout tho War of Independence, ami was with Gun oral "Moultrie at Port lioyal, Soirli Carolina, on February (3rd. 177!), when Moultrie defeated tho combined British forces of Proves and Camp be 1. His master was sun-onderod by Gvmeral Tjiziooln tit Charles on, on February 12th. 1780, to the British forces, and thus the mans military uireor was ended. lie remembers the groat rejoicings in 1792 throughout tho country in consequence of Wash ingtou’s election to the presidentship, Jim being then 5U years of ago- In that voir his master died, and he became tho property of Henry James, who died in 18 !o, and Jim was transferred to James James, Henry’s .second son. James James was 3 0 years of ago at; his fadier’.s do ith, and

when he became of ago ho iuhorritol larg> estates mid slaves, umongst who.u were ‘‘ 01.1 Unde Jim ’ and Iris family In 18FJ, whoa 81, Jim travelled with his master on the rail v,m y from Oliarles 0:1 to Savannah, at thn■ time the longest railroad in the world. James .1 .lines lived in South Carolina until 185G, when ho went to Texas with all his slaves ; hut, us lie wished them all to lie free when ho died, ho moved into Mexico iu 1858, so that they should he free hefo o his death. In 1885, after the emancipation of the slaves iu the United States, Undo Jim’s children and grandchildren returned to the (States; but the old man remained behind in Mexico. Five years ago, at the ago of 13U, Jim could do light work, hut subsisted mostly on contributions amongst his neighbours. Fur the Just two jvars, nut being ablo to walk, Jim has remained in his little c ibin, In's wan s being supplied by his neighbours. Fheumatism iu his legs prevents him from walking, but ho has suihdeut strength in his arms to drag himself a short distance. Quite recently ho managed to lake up a position outside his cabin for the purpose of being photographed.