Mexborough and Swinton Times May 28, 1937
Born in 1843, Mr Joseph Taylor of 42, Pearson Field, Wombwell, is still going strong.
Wombwell’s oldest inhabitant turned another leaf towards the century mark on Tuesday when he entered his 94th year. There seems ample ground for forecasting him as a centurion judging from his apparent good health and activity.
Recently I had the opportunity of interviewing a man in another district of similar age. He too was the oldest inhabitant of his particular town, but Mr Joseph Taylor looks to have the brighter future.
Apparently Mr Taylor has had a good “Press” in previous years. When I met him he said “Now you will not say much will you? Just say that Mr Taylor is still knocking about. You know I have had my name in all the papers before, and there is of the grand old man I was able to gather what kind of affection Wombwell generally holds for him. He told me that one day he was in a crowded Butcher store in town when the woman suddenly threw her arms around him and kissed him.
“Ah bless you” she exclaimed, “I hope you will live forever,” and she thrust the silver coin into his palm.
Mr Taylor spoke with some feeling when he said that he could not say a wrong word about anyone in Wombwell.
Like many other Wombwellians Mr Taylor had a new suit at Whitsuntide, which is yet another example of the confidence which he has himself to live for some years yet.
Just a few more lines about Mr Taylor which perhaps you know of. He is a seen almost every Sunday at Wombwell Wesleyan Church, and by the way, is daughter-in-law, Mrs Taylor, is one of the few people in Wombwell ( he thinks she’s the only woman) who possesses a bill announcing the opening of the church.
He has seen Wombwell grow during the last 60 years; he has lived in one street all the time; one house for 52 years, and “you can tell them I am going to stop a bit longer,” says he.
He has a son 69, a grandson 42, and a great-grandson 14, there being six grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Mr Taylorhad the usual lot of greetings and good wishes on Tuesday.