To all the Nay sayers! While I can only go by what I have seen. You make the call. As a 17 year old boy in Florida, I sat and talked with Charlie at least 8 times while I travelled from FT Myers, Fl to Starke, Fl and back. This was in 68/69. Charlie told me he was not sure of his age, but then showed me two papers. One was his release from the military in the Civil War, the other was a paper issued at the same time that said he was a free man. I have no proof of these documents, but I believe Charlies accounts. He told me he had been a slave and was from Africa. He loved Coke in the 6 ounce bottles and chocolate candy bars. I just knew him as a very nice man. It was 3 or 4 years later that I read about him in a World Record book. He was listed as the oldest but with no verifying documentation. I remember people giving me the "sure you did" look when I told them about it. Maybe Charlie lied. I prefer to believe Charlie! I remember the time when you took a man or woman at their word. Years have passed and my mind is alittle grey, but I do remember his smile. It was beautiful and honest.. I saw it each time I stopped as he would hand me a soda pop (as he called them) and said "sit down here boy and we's kin talks abit"! :-)