Bulloch-Candler-Jenkins County GaArchives Biographies.....Beasley, Prigden February 29, 1812 - December 14, 1913
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Francesca Henle-Taylor henle@fmfproductions.com December 7, 2009, 9:18 am

Source: News Article
Author: Macon Weekly Telegraph

IS HUNDRED YEARS OLD, BIRTHDAYS FAR APART

Prigden Beasley, of Bulloch County Still Active, fought in Indian War but, was 
Too Old to Fight in Civil War Fifty Years Ago—Elaborate Plans Being' Made to 
Caleb rata Hit Birthday on February 29th.

STATESBORO, Feb. 6.—Though he says he may be the junior of many centenarians 
in the United States, probably no living being can boast of the birth record 
of Prigden (Prig.) Beasley, of Bulloch county.

If Mr. Beasley lives to see the 29th of this month he will celebrate his one 
hundredth anniversary, and the chances are he will, as his health is said to 
be equal to a person fifty years this junior.  A peculiar thing about Mr. 
Beasley's anniversary will be the fact that he will have seen 100 years and 
has had only twenty-five birthdays, being born in a leap year, on the last day 
of the month, which falls every four years.  Whether or not he has been 
celebrating February 28 or March 1 as his anniversary in the years intervening 
leap year is not known, but his actual birthday comes only every four years.

He was born in the upper edge of Bulloch county, February 29, 1812, and was 
reared on a farm in that section where he has lived all his life.

He was twice married, first to Miss Martha Anderson, of this county, by whom 
three children, Mrs. Elizabeth Bird, of Orlando, Fla., Mrs. M.J. Green, of 
Bulloch county, and Mrs. G.T. Brewton, of McRae, now survive.  By his second 
wife, who was a Miss Roe and is still living, one son, B.O. Beasley, of 
Bulloch county, is living.  He was the only child of the second union.  A.B. 
Green, of Statesboro, is one of his grandchildren and when asked how many 
grandchildren and great grandchildren had come from this centenarian, he said 
that it would take some counting to ascertain that.  The oldest child of Mr. 
Beasley is now 68 years old, and is said to look much younger, and that she, 
too, bides fair to carry out the longevity record of the family.

Although he is 100 years old, Mr. Beasley has fought in but one war, doing 
service In the Everglades during the Indian war, When the civil war came on he 
was beyond the age limit and did not serve In that struggle, although he was 
In sympathy with the cause of the Confederacy, He now lives in the same place 
he did a hundred years ago.  He saw Bulloch county when it was a wilderness 
and no railroads traversed this section, All conveyance was made by road carts 
and all trading, what little there was at that time, was done in Savannah, 
making weekly or monthly trips to that place in carts.

In his old age it is said Mr. Beasley gets around his place equal to a man of 
fifty, and unless he breaks down very suddenly he bids fair to go considerably 
beyond the century mark.  He has followed the pursuits of the farm all his 
days and made a success of it.  His home is connected by telephone, his front 
road is swept over by flying automobiles, and he now seen many other modern 
things, which never entered his ancient, dreams.  To think of an automobile, 
or a person talking from one city to another in Mr. Beasley's youth would have 
seemed nothing short of a dream.  He has lived to see it all, however, and 
takes pleasure in telling of the contrast between this age and his boyhood 
days.  Extensive preparations are being made for the celebration of his 
century birth, and an effort will be made to have each of the children, 
grandchildren, and great grandchildren present.  Mrs. Elizabeth Bird, of 
Orlando, Fla., and Mrs. A.T. Brewton, of McRae, have been notified of the 
Intended reunion of the family and will probably be here with their children, 
if any.  The posterity of Bulloch county will probably be equal to a 
multitude.  There are also many relatives around Claxton, in Tattnall county, 
among whom are the Greens, Moores, Beasley’s, Roes and other families who will 
attend this celebration, and it is being looked forward to with a great deal 
of Interest, as It will be an unusual event.  It is a record of which probably 
no other person can boast, having but twenty-five actual birthdays in 100 
years.  Mr. Beasley Is the second centenarian Bulloch county has had within 
the past few years, A.B. Kelly, of Clito, who died a little over a year ago, 
having reached that stage of life.  He was, however, much more feeble than Mr. 
Beasley and the latter will probably see many more years, though not many more 
actual birthdays, as the 29th of February comes but once every four years.

Additional Comments:
Is Hundred Years Old, Birthdays Far Apart Prigden Beasley, of Bulloch County 
Still Active (News Article)  Date: 1912-02-06; Paper: Macon Weekly Telegraph

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