Most family have something that is passed on from generation to generation. Sometimes it’s jewelry or photographs, other times it’s recipes or furniture, but we’ve never heard of a heirloom loaf of bread — until now!
Terry O’Kelly is the 92-year-old owner of a loaf of bread that is 114 years old! The loaf was given to O’Kelly’s grandfather, Joseph Harrison, when he was released from prison in 1899 and for some reason instead of eating it, Harrison saved it!
Apparently, Joseph Harrison was sentenced to fourteen days in jail for failure to pay a fine after he refused to let his daughters be vaccinated against smallpox. When he was released and given the role, he kept it as a reminder and would often pul lit out of a brown paper bag to show other family members.
“He was very proud of it, although he never spoke about his time in prison. All his life he was involved with the anti-vaccination campaign,” explains O’Kelly, who now keeps the loaf protected in a glass case. When asked if he had ever taken a bite of the vintage loaf, O’Kelly replied, “Oh no, it’s hard as a rock.”
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