Polly Bryant, nee Moore (1910?-present)

Recently, the Gerontology Research Group gathered and reviewed again all the available documents, reports and evidence that aids in age determination for Pauline “Polly” Bryant, nee Moore. In most recent years she has claimed birth December 26th 1910. Here follows what was found:

Polly’s claim to birth on December 26th appears to have been consistent throughout life. The year has varied though.

Checking the birth index for the Hampton County area has revealed no birth registration for anyone with her name, although this is not unusual. Birth registration did not start in South Carolina until 1915 and black people often did not get registered in the southern states.

Polly was not recorded in any census in 1920 in Peeples, Hampton County, South Carolina, or in the wider area – despite claiming to have been born in Hampton County (from 1930 onward she was recorded living in Peeples).

Polly was recorded as age 11 in the 1930 census in Peeples, living with grandparents, pointing to birth in 1918 or 1919.

In 1940, she was recorded as age 25, pointing to a birth year of 1914. By this time she was living with her husband – Freddie Bryant. Freddie is recorded as age 24, pointing to his year of birth as 1915/1916. This cannot be correct for him as he was born around 1910 and was older than Polly. So Polly’s recorded age here is cast into doubt also.

In 1950, seen living with Freddie again, her age is recorded as 30, pointing again to birth around 1919.

Whilst we have been unable to find her marriage record, despite much searching, her name change is confirmed by two death certificates for two children. Her maiden name is recorded here. Historic marriage records in South Carolina are not available to order for 100 years after the event, unless you are ordering one to replace an original of your own.

Polly had children up until at least July 1960. Given her claimed age, she would have been only a few months from 50. While this is indeed possible, it seems a little unlikely.

At some point between 1950 and 1993, Polly claimed in a United States Public Record that she was born December 26th 1917.

In 2012, the South Carolina General Assembly congratulated Polly on having celebrated her “100th” birthday on December 26th 2011, thus pointing to birth in December 1911.

Since at least 2018, Polly’s age claim has been December 26th 1910.

Conclusion: It is our belief, considering all the available evidence, that Polly was most likely born December 26th 1919, but possibly 1918. Not being recorded in the 1920 census, which was taken January first, is a possible indicator that 1919 is more likely. If December 26th is correct, then she would only have been a few days old and probably still in hospital or a ‘mother’s home’. So, Polly is currently likely 104 or 105 years of age.