In 1896, just
seven years after the experiment commenced, the reports say he is
the father of 370 children.
The following is a report from Raleigh, N.C., on July 28, 1893,
to the New York Evening Post:--
"The fecundity of the negro race has been the subject of much
comment and discussion. A case has come to light in this State
that is one of the most remarkable on record. Moses Williams, a
negro farmer, lives in the eastern section of this State. He is
sixty-five years old (as nearly as he can make out), but does not
appear to be over fifty. He has been married twice, and by the
two wives has had born to him 45 children. By the first wife he
had 23 children, 20 of whom were girls and 3 were boys. By the
second wife he had 22 children--20 girls and 2 boys. He also has
about 50 grand-children. The case is well authenticated."
We also quote the following, accredited to the "Annals of
Hygiene:"--
"Were it not part of the records of the Berks County courts, we
could hardly credit the history of John Heffner, who was
accidentally killed some years ago at the age of sixty-nine. He
was married first in 1840. In eight years his wife bore him 17
children. The first and second years of their marriage she gave
birth to twins.
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