Charlie Smith

Charlie Smith (died October 5, 1979) was an American longevity claimant noted for claiming to be the oldest person in the United States at the time of his death on October 5, 1979, at age 137. Bone age tests after his death in 1979 revealed that Smith was between 99–105 years old when he died.

History

Smith stated that he had been born in Liberia in 1842, kidnapped to the United States at age 12 and sold into slavery in Louisiana to a Texas rancher. Later research indicated that he had been born circa 1874 or even later. In particular, his marriage certificate, issued January 8, 1910, listed him as being 35 years old at the time.

Smith died in Bartow, Florida, on October 5, 1979. He was buried at Wildwood Cemetery. In the story, Smith comes to America in 1854 on the promise that there are "fritter trees" there. Tricked into slavery, he later escapes, joins the Union army and, after the war, heads out west where he chases Billy the Kid and rides with Jesse James.