_Longevity_ (Vol. vii., p. 368. &c.).--Several of the upland parishes
bordering on the river Yare have had remarkable instances of longevity.
One of the best authenticated was a man named Pottle, who resided on the
Reedham estate of the late J. F. Leathes, Esq., of Herringfleet. When
Pottle was 104 years old, the tenantry on the estate subscribed to have
his portrait painted, {256} which they presented to their landlord, each
retaining a lithograph copy of it. Many of these copies I have seen. Two
years after this I conversed with the old man, who was then keeping cows
on a common. There was nothing remarkable about him except his voice,
which was very loud and powerful. He has now been dead some time, but I
do not know his exact age at death.
In the register of burials for the parish of Runham, Norfolk, is this
entry:
"August 12, 1788. William Russels, aged One hundred and one
years."
The clergyman has entered the age in round text-hand, evidently that the
entry might not escape notice.