Joice Heth facts for kids

Joice Heth (c. c – c. 1756 – February 19, 1836) was an African-American woman. She was shown to the public by P.T. Barnum. He falsely claimed she was 161 years old and had been the nurse for George Washington. Her shows and a public event after her death became very famous.

Joice Heth's Early Life and Shows

Not much is known about Joice Heth's early life. In 1835, she was an enslaved woman owned by John S. Bowling. He exhibited her in Louisville, Kentucky. Later that year, she was sold to other show promoters.

One promoter, R.W. Lindsay, claimed she was George Washington's childhood nurse. When this did not bring much success, he sold her to P.T. Barnum. Barnum was a famous showman.

Barnum's Big Claims

Barnum started advertising Joice Heth in 1835. His posters made big claims about her age. They said she was "the most astonishing and interesting curiosity in the World!"

The posters also claimed she was "the slave of Augustine Washington," George Washington's father. They said she was the first person to dress baby George. Heth herself would say, "she raised him." Barnum claimed she was born in 1674, making her an amazing 161 years old.

Poster advertising Joice Heth

Life as an Exhibit

When Barnum began exhibiting Joice Heth on August 11, 1835, she was blind. She was also almost completely unable to move, except for her right arm. She could still talk.

Barnum displayed her at Niblo's Garden in New York City. Her appearance made people believe her exaggerated age. She was very small, had deep wrinkles, and no teeth. Some historians believe Barnum may have removed her teeth to make her look older.

For seven months, Joice Heth traveled as an exhibit. She would tell stories about "little George" and sing hymns. Barnum earned a lot of money from her shows. Her story was widely discussed in newspapers.

Doubts and a Public Event

People began to doubt Joice Heth's age. Barnum then announced that when she died, her body would be examined in public. This event would be called an autopsy.

She died the next year, on February 19, 1836, in New York City. She was likely around 79 years old. Barnum arranged for a public autopsy to satisfy public curiosity.

The Public Autopsy Event

On February 25, 1836, Dr. David L. Rogers performed the autopsy. It took place in front of 1,500 people at New York's City Saloon. Barnum charged people to watch this event.

Dr. Rogers announced that the claim about her age was false. Barnum then tried to trick the public again. He said the person autopsied was not Joice Heth. He claimed the real Joice Heth was still alive and touring in Europe. Barnum later admitted that this was another trick.

Barnum stated that Joice Heth's remains were "buried respectably" in his hometown of Bethel, CT.

See also

In Spanish: Joice Heth para niños

• Human zoo
• Sarah Baartman
• John Smith, subject of another longevity hoax