Copy of article published in Illustrated Mail, 25 November 1905
The remarkable old-age record of a Cornish Village
The pretty little township of Tywardreath, in Mid-Cornwall, may justly be proud of the notoriety it is acquiring by reason of the longevity of its inhabitants.
Inquiries just made by a representative of the "Illustrated Mail" has elicited the fact that out of a population of slightly over 700 no fewer than twenty-seven are of the age of eighty years and over, and what is still more remarkable to record, all of them with one exception, are able to get about - in fact, some are engaged in the daily pursuits of life while others can take their "constitutional" walks without the least fatigue. To a stranger there seems a quaint simplicity about these old residents which strikes one as being of a honesty and kindly nature characteristic of Cornish people generally.
The names of the twenty-seven old people referred to are:- Mrs Matthews, 102; Mrs Gully, 90; Mrs Warne, 90; Mr Phillips, 88; Mrs Heard, 87; Mrs Rosevear, 87; Mrs Phillips, 86; Mr Heard, 85; Mrs Husband, 85; Mrs Sandy, 84; Mrs Dawe, 83; Captain Trembath, 83; Mr W Bartlett, 83; Mrs Barrott, 83; Mrs J Matthews, 82; Mrs Hatherley, 82; Mr Davey, 82; Mr Davey, 82; Mrs Brown 82; Miss Trewetha, 82; Mr Cock, 81; Mrs Cole, 81; Mrs Tremewan, 81; Mrs Rundle, 80; Mrs Moore, 80; Mrs Griffin, 80; Mr Polkinghorn, 80; Mr Hawke, 80.
In addition to those already mentioned there are upwards of a dozen more who are on the verge of eighty years.
Mrs Matthews, aged 102 years
Our representative had the privilege of chatting with several of those old villagers, including Mrs Matthews, who is now in her 103rd year and is believed to be the oldest person in Cornwall. She is undoubtedly a wonderful old lady, her sight and hearing being only slightly impaired. A native of High Bickington, near Chulmleigh, North Devon, Mrs Matthews well remembers the Battle of Waterloo and the roasting of a bullock in a field near her home to celebrate that historic event. She has been twice married, her first husband being a Mr Daniel, and on his decease, about twenty years ago, she married Mr Matthews, of St Columb, where they lived for many years. Mrs Matthews came to live with her daughter, Mrs Liddicoat, at Tywardreath about eight years ago. Referring to her advent to Tywardreath, Mrs Matthews said: "I did not think I should live a week, but, goodness me, I seem to have taken a fresh lease of life. But the time is short now, and I am patiently waiting for the Master's call at any moment."
Mrs Gully
Mrs Gully, a pleasant old lady of over 90 years of age was born at Newton Ferrers, in Devonshire, and has reared a family of nine. With the exception of failing eyesight, she retains all her faculties. It is interesting to note that Mrs Gully claims to be a distant relative of the late Speaker of the House of Commons. Asked if she would be photographed, the old lady readily agreed, and walked around to the rear of her house for the purpose. The photo was specially taken for the "Illustrated Mail"
Mrs Roseveare
Mrs Roseveare will reach her eighty-seventh year on Boxing Day. Married when quite a girl, she discharged the duties of a wife for fifty years, and has been left a widow for over twenty years. Her hearing is good, and she can read the newspapers without the aid of spectacles. She has twelve children, seven of whom are now in Australia. Mrs Roseveare retains all her faculties, and gets about with comparative ease. The photo was specially taken for this article.
Mr & Mrs Heard
Mr & Mrs Heard, aged eighty-five and eighty-seven respectively, are an interesting old couple, who have lived together for over sixty-two years, having been married at North Tamerton Church in 1843. They have seven children. Mrs Heard retains all her faculties, and volunteered the information that she could see to read the "Daily Mail" without "glasses". Mrs Heard was a Miss Goodman, of Boyton, near Launceston.
Mr & Mrs Bartlett
Mr & Mrs Bartlett are another interesting old couple, who have shared each other's joys and sorrows for fifty-five years, forty-three of which have been spent in Tywardreath. Although eighty-three years of age, Mr Bartlett was proud to say that he had been able to work all through the harvest and make all the mows. He has reared a family of twelve children - six boys and six girls.
Mr Phillips
Mr Phillips whose age is eighty-eight, has been an Excise officer, and has lived in Tywardreath for nearly twenty years. Mrs Phillips is two years younger than her husband and is wonderfully strong and able for her age, going for walks in the district alone.
The "Illustrated Mail" cutting was supplied by Mrs J T Harry, one of the Tywardreath W.I. founder members.