The Lancaster Gazette

Interesting Reminiscence.--Men distinguished for their patriotism have in all ages been distinguished for their longevity. No less than thirteen of the fifty-six signers of the Declaration of American Independence lived to the patriarchal age of eighty-one and upwards, viz:--
Charles Carroll, of Maryland....95
William Ellery, of Rhode Island, 93
John Adams, of Massachusetts,..91
Samuel Adams, do.......81
Robert Treat Paine, do.......83
Benjamin Franklin, do.......84
William Williams Connecticut, ..81
William Floyd, of Long Island. .87
Thomas M'Kean, of Pennsylvania83
Thomas Jefferson, of Virginia, ..83
George Wythe, do.....89
Matthew Thornton, of Ireland,. 89
Frances Lewis, of South Wales.90
Total,.....1129
This is an average of eighty six years and two months each--and the aggregate excess of the "time honored thirteen" over four-score, is just eighty years. No deliberative assembly of equal magnitude, was ever more remarkable for the virtue, temperance and longevity of its members, than the one which declared the American Colonies free and independent.