Statistics of grave-yards in Scotland / by John Webster.

  • Webster, John.
Date:
[1855?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Statistics of grave-yards in Scotland / by John Webster. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the Grange cemetery, two inscriptions, on separate gravestones, stated the individuals—a man and a woman—buried, to have been 93; whilst, by the records of this burying-ground, it appeared that 24 persons from 80 to 89, a male 91, a female 95, and a man 100, had been recently interred. In the Warriston cemetery, from 85 to 89 were frequent; whilst 1 man and 1 woman were stated to have been 90, a man 92, a female 94, and another 98, were in¬ stances also recorded ; whilst, in the register of this place, 37 indi¬ viduals are reported to have been interred, from the ages of 80 to 89; 3 men at 90 ; and 9 from that age to 93—all females, with 2 women at 96; and lastly, 1 woman had actually reached her 100th year. In the Dean cemetery, the ages mentioned on gravestones, being in no way remarkable, need not be specified; although seve¬ ral men were reported, in the register of this place, to have arrived at ages from 90 to 94; whilst 2 women were 93, and one 98, at their decease. Other burying-grounds I likewise insjrected; but the different data recorded being much of the same character, it seems superfluous to specify particulars. Reviewing all the facts collected—and they were numerous— the Scottish metropolis did not seem unusually favourable to long¬ evity; seeing that few residents, in proportion to the large popula¬ tion, attain extreme old age. Very few, comparatively speaking, have lived beyond 85; and many of those who actually exceeded that period were strangers. The opinion now expressed, as to Edinburgh not being very remarkable for longevity, is further proved by the fact that, according to the census of 1851, there were only 22 persons then living in this city, who were 90 years old or upwards, 8 being men and 14 women ; whilst only one of these was a centenarian, viz., a female, who had attained 102 years. At present, the oldest resident, according to report, is a female now in her 105th year. This ascertained rarity of patriarchal persons in the capital of Scotland has been ascribed to various causes; amongst others, to the baneful effects of north and east winds, during winter and spring months, upon persons constitutionally weak in the respira¬ tory organs. To these winds this city is subjected in an eminent de¬ gree, from its exposed situation ; and these influences are further greatly aggravated by a want of shelter, which constitutes frequently a preponderating condition affecting health and longevity in the modern Athens. However, some residents have lived to a very great age : for example, the Canongate bellman, William Edie, who died in 1731, in his 120th year. Of this person report says, he had buried the inhabitants of the district thrice, was ninety years a freeman, and actually married his second wife when one hundred years old. 2. Glasgow. Regarding this important populous city—the com¬ mercial metropolis of Scotland—with its 380,000 inhabitants, I may premise generally, that the mortuary details collected proved highly instructive; and in reference to infantile life, with its often early termination, were really fearful to contemplate. In short, the