| Melville Williams | |
 | |
| Birth: | 21 February 1910 Barbados |
| Age: | 110 years, 218 days |
| Country: |  BRB
|
| Unvalidated | |
Biography
Early life
Melville was born on 21 February 1910 to Napoleon and Mariah Williams. His father who was also a saddler, was a prominent and prestigious worker at several plantations. Williams came into his craft from a young age, by becoming the protégé of his father’s main assistants, who taught him the intricacies of the craft. He later became his father’s most dexterous worker and was employed at every plantation in St. Lucy, St. Andrew and St. Peter. As an accomplished saddler and entrepreneur, he produced saddles and harnesses to outfit horses for buggies, donkey carts and tralalas, as well as bridles and collars for race horses. He found employment in places as far as New York and Pennsylvania, and in Trinidad for the Police Force, where he was renowned for his skill.
Later life
After lengthy employment abroad, Williams returned to Barbados in his later years with the intention of sharing his knowledge and skills by teaching others the art of making saddles and other apparel for horses, to keep the manual art of the trade alive. He has nine children: seven daughters and two sons. Even in his centenarian years, he’s still mobile, manages himself well and has a good memory.
Williams currently lives in Lonesome Hill, Saint Peter, Barbados, at the age of 110 years, 218 days.
References
- Melville Uriah Williams [dead link]
- 106 and still hearty Nation News, 22 February 2016
- Just for you, daddy Nation News, 20 June 2016
- 107 and still going strong Nation News, 25 February 2017
- 110th birthday Facebook, 21 February 2020
