John Ludwig Snyder

John Ludwig Snyder (5 August 1746? – 23 March 1860) is a German-American supercentenarian claimant who claimed to be a veteran of the American Revolutionary War of 1775-83. His claim to age 113 is currently unvalidated by the Gerontology Research Group (GRG).

Biography
Snyder claimed to have been born in Michelstadt, Hesse, Germany, on 5 August 1746 to Johann Jacob Schneider and Maria Agantha List. He allegedly emigrated to Pennsylvania, United States, in 1758. According to a newspaper article about him, he spent a lot of time with George Washington, including crossing the Delaware River on Christmas night, 1776, and being encamped at Valley Forge on 11 December 1777.

Snyder also claimed to have been in the Battle of Monmouth in 1778, as well as being with Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette (known as Lafayette) at the surrender of Cornwallis at the Battle of Yorktown in October 1781. In 1820, Snyder moved to Clearfield County, Pennsylvania, and in 1832, travelled to France for General Jean Maximilien Lamarque’s funeral.

Snyder married Anna Maria Gilman and had eight children with her. At the supposed age of 107, Snyder made a "perfect" gun, having been a gunsmith by trade for most of his life. By the 1850s, he allegedly had over three hundred descendants.

Snyder died in Bells Landing, Pennsylvania, United States, on 23 March 1860 at the claimed age of 113 years, 231 days. If his claim were true, he would be the first known supercentenarian by over 40 years, and the first person to reach 113. His claimed age would not be surpassed until Fannie Thomas did so in 1980.