The only genuine and authentic account of the life and memoirs of ... H. Jenkins ... who lived to the ... age of 169 years ... / [Henry Jenkins].

  • Jenkins, Henry, approximately 1501-1670.
Date:
1829
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The only genuine and authentic account of the life and memoirs of ... H. Jenkins ... who lived to the ... age of 169 years ... / [Henry Jenkins]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    snuff-box could not be found, and noucithstanding we a'd protested our innocence, every one of his l,ordship’s servants were discharged, and when he was applied to for their characters, he always related the story of the snuff-box, so that it was not without great difficulty they obtained fresh situations. This Lord Conyers (who was the last of that name) died without issue, in the reign of Thilip and Mary, A.D. lo57. Soon after his Lurd.-hip’s death, this same snuff-box was found, by a relative of his, in one of the pockets of a pair of black silk velvet breeches which hung up in his ward- robe, where it is supposed it was deposited by mistake, instead of the waistcoat pocket, for it was recollected by one of the servants that his Lordship wore them when he was taken ill, hut never after. As I was so much about his Lordship’s ])erson, I really believe, from their looks and gestures, that most of the servants suspected me, and indeed I afterwards heard that some of them had said so; but, be that as it may, 1 remained out of a situation a long time, when happening to meet an old acquaint- ance, who obtained his livelihood by fishing in the neighbouring streams, I agreed fat his earnest solicitation) to join him in his profession, and have continued in that trade, enjoying the best of health, till about two yeais ago, when some of the neighbouring gentry (especially those whom 1 have cured of various complaints) have thought proper to support me in the manner you are acquainted with, considering me now too old to work. You are now, Madam, says Jenkins, in possession of the chief par- ticulars of my life, for as to what has passed since I took to the fishing trade, it is really not worth relating. 1 tlianked him for the information be had given me respecting his life, &c. and dismissed him with a present, desiring him to call on me as often as it was convenient, which he continued to do till he died, which was about five years after. Jenkins had scarcely left the house, when the old gentleman, my neighbour, who first sent him to me, called in, when I immediately read the account Jenkins had given of himself to me. After a short pause, I believe, Madam, said he, every word he has related to you is perfectly correct, at least 1 have heard the greater part of it related by others, who knew him well for year.s, but I believe J can inform you of a few facts which he has thought proper to conceal. A few years ago, the present king, Cliarles II. being informed of his great age, fkc. desired to see him in London, and ordered a carriage to be provided for him for that purpose ; Jenkins, however, refused to get into the carriage, choosing rather to go on foot, and he actually walked to London by easy journies, a distance of nearly two hiiiuli-ed m les. On his arrival in London, being introduced to his Majesty, he inquired minutely about hi.s occupation, manner of living, &c. and observing no- thing very particular in that, ho asked him how it was he contrived lo live to much longer than other people ? Sir, said Jenkins, 1 always kept
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