Find A Grave Find A Grave

IN AUGUST 1904, an Irish woman named Mary Murphy died in Meadville, Pennsylvania – after claiming to be a whopping 134 years old.

Her story was reported in a number of different newspapers, with Murphy previously telling a report that she was born in 1770 on Christmas Day in Dublin:

Library of Congress A story in the Arizona Republican Library of Congress

Her death was also reported in the Los Angeles Herald;

But was her story true?

It’s unlikely.

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More

One amateur geneaologist said that she checked vital records and cemetery records, which proved that Murphy was “more like 104 years old” – still a grand age to have reached.

US census records from 1870 show that a Mary B Murphy of Meadville was born in 1800 in Ireland, which could be the same woman. She was one of a number of Mary Murphys from Ireland born that year who were settled in Pennsylvania.

Considering her long life, perhaps we can forgive Mary Murphy if she did embellish her story somewhat. But until we know the exact truth, it would be nice to think that it was possible to live to such a great age…