@unmapped_florida: Charlie Smith’s headstone at Wildwood Cemetery says he was born July 4, 1842 and died October 5, 1979. That would make him 137 years old. For decades he was celebrated as America’s oldest man, interviewed on TV, photographed with celebrities, even tied to old outlaw legends. Records tell a different story. A 1910 marriage certificate lists his age as 35, putting his real birth year closer to 1874. Bone density tests done after his death estimated he was somewhere between 99 and 105 when he died. Still a remarkable life. Just not the one carved into the stone. Bartow buried the legend anyway. Full story at unmappedflorida.com 🪦 Hashtags: #FloridaDarkHistory #FloridaCemetery #UnmappedFlorida #DarkFlorida #CharlieSmith
is the black or white because I was born a Smith but I am white
2026-09-03 06:41:17
1
Julieann :
So he REALLY WAS 137 when he passed?!?! I've seen his grave and thought it was a joke or hoax.
2026-08-13 23:10:49
7
Auntie Deb :
I remember Mr. Charlie he lived on Palmetto St. now know as MLK St. before they placed him in a nursing home.
2026-08-13 21:59:54
29
user1826540730508 :
I AM 57 AND WHEN I WAS IN GIRL SCOUTS WE WENT TO SING TO HIM FOR HIS B-DAY AT THE NURSING HOME. PRECIOUS MAN!!!
2026-08-14 02:20:27
43
ParticularTouch Productions :
He said that he believed he was older than that, but that was far back as he could remember. He also said that he felt like he lived a long life due to his twin brother passing at a young age. My grandfather visited him all the time.
2026-08-14 11:29:38
50
Ahonie :
I’m going to ask my great gma she’s 89
2026-08-14 15:04:10
6
Gator :
I used to go see him in a nursing home and Bartow awesome man
2026-08-14 01:18:03
6
Mystic- Southern Suga :
I will check that out!
2026-08-13 23:32:02
3
Buddy Gary :
I remember them saying when he died they found a civil war bullet in his leg
2026-08-14 01:03:08
18
Sherry Wilder :
My aunt is laying to rest in the same cemetery so sad 😞 😔 😟 🙁
2026-08-13 20:41:30
15
mobetta787 :
We lost our 106 last week: Mr. Herbert Dixion he would have been 107 this month. They will lay him to rest tomorrow 😭 RIp Mr. Dixion
2026-09-05 01:41:19
2
SheSo100♒️ :
oh bless him! I pray I can make it to at least 75 😒
2026-09-05 18:18:15
3
Sherry🍷wine :
Back growing up in the projects he was my neighbor and would tell us stories about how he rode the horses with Jesse James, who were an American train and bank robber and gang leader. I used to say wow Mr Smith and he held on to that black pocketbook until the day he died 😁
2026-09-15 13:13:27
2
sunny.d.bright :
You know what, even if he wasn’t the age he claimed to be, I still respect that. He wanted to be that age, let him be. A lot of us want to be younger, some even lie and say we are younger. Maybe he just wanted to be older, that’s all. Rip ♥️
2026-09-03 17:04:59
2
fish :
I remember this man! Bless his soul!🙏🙏🙏
2026-08-13 20:03:17
10
Glow-worm Sparkle Toot :
My grandparents knew Mr Charlie. They lived in Bartow from 1955 till my Grandmothers death in 1991. They’re both buried in that same cemetery not far from Mr Charlie as are many of my family members.
2026-09-21 20:53:54
1
Quit Playing 🎯 :
A precious soul, Amen Mr.Charlie……Amp
2026-09-08 00:21:09
1
charliecalhoun543 :
His son was name Chester and Mr Charlie real name was Mitchell Watkin and he lived in Polk City Fla
2026-09-22 13:29:28
1
Janice ✝️💚🌻 :
This is where my grandmother was laid to rest💚
2026-08-17 09:56:42
2
GLSMOOVE X :
I remember local TV doing an interview with him.
2026-08-13 21:29:25
4
David and Yolanda :
Have the best amount of city that I have lived in my past I really enjoyed Bartow everything from the police to the people. If you see me you know who I am and reaching out, saying hi to you good people.
2026-08-14 01:03:08
4
trickrick88 :
I met him and played a game of checkers with him while he was in the nursing home.
2026-08-13 22:31:22
4
@MachaleTheMortician :
My grand father, other relatives and friends are out there.
2026-08-13 20:43:54
4
🦋Mechelle🦋❌ :
Thank you for sharing
2026-08-13 20:22:07
3
rdburke2663 :
my brother and father in law are buried there. I will join them later.
2026-08-14 00:14:56
3
To see more videos from user @unmapped_florida, please go to the Tikwm
homepage.