John Besant

October 20, 1909

After serving the King family of this city for a period of five generations as a bodyguard and servant, John Besant, a negro, aged 100 years, died last night at the H.C. King home on Quincy street from old age. He had once been a slave owned by the King family.

The funeral was held this afternoon from the King residence and interment made in the family lot in City Cemetery No.1, Rev. Arthur Jones, officiating." Death certificate has age as "about 90", birthplace Georgia, Burial in City Cemetery No. 1, undertaker Sloan and Hagy.