Nabb Research Center General Resources - People & Cultures

Longevity of the Inhabitants of Somerset County on the Eastern Shore of MD

The following are the ages of 59 persons now living in two hundreds of Somerset County, Maryland. This county lies very low, and the many rivers and creeks that empty themselves into the Chesapeake Bay abound in marshes, to a considerable extent. I was once led to believe it was one of the most unhealthy counties in the world; but from what cause I know not, it appears to have more aged people in it than any place I am acquainted with. The following list will perhaps show the truth of this.

The manner of those peoples living, is nearly as follows: they rise before the sun, and generally drink one or tow drams, that is, one half peach or apple brandy, the other water with honey or sugar, and eat a piece of biscuit, then breakfast on cold meat with hominy, and as much coffee or tea as fills up the remainder of the stomach. The most of those persons I am acquainted with, and they generally labor (although not bound to do so, for they in general, have pretty good clients (?)) from breakfast to dinner, which is about 2 or 3 o’clock, they then dine upon good substantial food, such as beef, mutton, turkey, etc. Those who live near the salt water, have a great plenty of shell and other fish; their drink is cider, or strong toddy; perhaps no people drink less water. –They smoke tobacco before and after dinner, which is their last meal, and retire to bed about 8 or 9 o’clock. It is requested by the writer of this, that some gentleman will take the trouble of examining their several counties, to see whether as great a number of aged persons can be found in two hundreds thereof, throughout America.

The following are the persons names:

William Adams, Josephus Bell, George Bosman, Thomas Benson, Ebenezer Collins, Matthias Coaston, Joseph Cottman, Jonathan Cluff, Nathaniel Daugherty, Thomas Dixon, Isaac Dixon, John Evans, William Fleming, James Gunby, Michael Holland, Joshua Hall, Outenbridge Horsey, Thomas Handy, Spencer Harris, Alley Hickey, John Johnston, John Killum, Samuel Lawson, Elijah Linton, Benjamin Langford, John Leonard, Duncan Livingston, Isaac Moore, David Mathew, Thomas Madox, John Madox, George Miles, Samuel Miles, Samuel Outen, Teague Riggin, Jonathan Riggin, Aaron Sterling, Nathaniel Smulling, Henry Schoolfield, Stephen Tull, Jonathan Tull, Peter Taylor, John Williams, Mary Eliz. Waters, Sarah Waters, William Wheatley, Isaac Carte,r Suthy Whittington, Jonathon Summers & wife

All in Annamessex and Pocomoke Hundreds. This list was taken by an assistant collector of taxes, upwards of 70 who will now mount his horse and ride a journey of 500 miles with ease.

[Published in Virginia Gazette and Weekly, March 13, 1788 from an article initially published in the Wilmington Gazette.  Found at the Library of Congress by James L Tull, 1994 and submitted by Nona (Tull) Ruel November, 1994 to the Lower Delmarva Genealogical Society.]