Maggie Barnes | |
---|---|
Born | Maggie Pauline Hinnant March 6, 1882 Kenly, North Carolina, United States |
Died | (aged 115 years, 319 days) Kenly, North Carolina, United States | January 19, 1998
Nationality | American |
Children | 15 children |
Maggie Pauline Barnes (née Hinnant; March 6, 1882 – January 19, 1998)[1] was an American supercentenarian. She was a resident of Johnston County, North Carolina. Barnes died from complications following a minor foot infection.[2] Barnes, who was born to a slave and married a tenant farmer, was survived by four children; 11 of her children preceded her in death.[2] Some dispute exists as to her date of birth. Though the 1882 date is written in the family's bible, the 1900 US Census lists her as having been born in 1881, and her marriage license says she was born in 1880.[2]
In 1997, however, her family claimed she was the world's oldest person, born on March 6, 1880, based on her marriage certificate. In addition, the 1900 census listed her as having been born in March 1881. Although Guinness World Records decided to give the "oldest person" title to then-116-year-old Marie-Louise Meilleur of Canada (born August 29, 1880), Maggie's age was later verified to be not less than 115 years old.[3]
She is the fifth-oldest African-American on record, and holds the record for North Carolina's oldest person. She died on January 19, 1998 at the apparent age of 115 years, 319 days, from gangrene.[4]
References
- ^ New England Supercentenerain Study. Oldest Authenticated Centenarians[dead link] Boston University Medical Campus. Retrieved August 5, 2008.
- ^ a b c Musante, Glenna B. (January 22, 1998) "Johnston woman, one of world's oldest, dies at 117" The Raleigh News & Observer. Section: News; B1.
- ^ Supercentenarians - Page 198
- ^ Maggie Barnes