The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-09-24
From, the Massachusetts Journal.
The SHIPWRECKED WANDERER.


THE SHIPWRECKED WANDERER.
The following story is strictly true; and
it is published in hopes some light may be
thrown upon the fate of the boy frequently
alluded to in the course of it. The writer
can imagine no injury the facts can do any
one, and has hope they may do some good
to the interesting individual concerned.
In the autumn of 1927, a gentleman in
Norridgewock, (Maine,) was drawn to the
Court House in that place by the report that
an Irish woman had been taken up as a
vagabond, and was about to be committed
to Jail. When he entered, the supposed
culprit was bathing her forehead in some
cold water, which had been brought her,
and frequently clasped her temples as if she
was in pain. Though her dress was coarse
and very much soiled, and her appearance
wretched and way-worn, it was plain enough
at a single glance, that she was no vaga-
bond. The answers she gave to the ques-
tons directed to her were wandering and
incoherent; but though her intellect was
evidently in ruins, the broken fragments be-
trayed that il had been rich and highly cul-
tivated. Her face had no pretentions to
beauty, and its expression indicated intense
mental suffering but her figure was grace
majesty characteristic of well educated Eng
lish women. There was an air of modestv
and dignity about her that even in her for
lorn condition would have protected her
from the insults of the most thoughtless /:
and as it was evident that the poor wander
er labored, al least, under occasional deiri-
um, the gentleman, after consulting his wife
on the subject, offered her the shelter of his
LODI DO
refined conversation, and extreme wretch
edness, completely gained her the heart of
her hostess; and here she fingered seven
weeks, while her new friends were trying
to ascertain in what way they could render
her the greatest assistance. Her mind was
often wandering, sometimes absolutely fran
tic; but during her intervals of reason she
is described as an uncommonly fascinating
and elegant being. Her walk was remark
ably elastic and graceful, she managed
horse finely, and sang French songs with
much taste and feeling. The account she
gave of herself in her collected moments is
singularly romantic-yet it has an air of
truth about it.
She said she was the daughter of the
wealthy DR.. Bowring of London, and had
two brothers one named VIM. Augustus
Bowring, who resides in London, and the
other, whose christian name have forgot
ten, residing in Bolton, not far from Lon
don. She married Mr.. Bradlee, lawyer,
without property, but as she says, very ac-
ceptable to her family on account Of his
worth and abilities. This Mr. Bradlee was
liberal in politics and religion and hav-
ing been gather too active to be we'll pleas
ing to the British government, he grew dis
gusted with the state of things there, and
resolved upon making a purchase in some
part of America, where it would be agree
able to establish himself, and family, con-
sisting of wife, one son, and two little
daughters. For this purpose he visited the
United States at the time Lafayette was
making his famous tour through the coun-
try. He brought his son with him, his wife
and daughters remained at his residence in
Bolton, awaiting the result of his travels
Several anecdotes she told proved the gen.
uineness of this part of her story; among
the rest she said her husband wrote at the
close of one of his letters to her, "Lafay-
cite has lost his trunk and cane, and the
Americans will rake the Mississippi TO find
them" Her husbands letters indicated
that he was pleased with this country, and
intended to reside here. In one of them he
mentioned that he regretted having taken
his son George with him; as the variety oil
new objects he saw, and the attention he
received, were likely to prove injurious to
his character and manners, and on that &C
count he had placed him under the care Of
James Townsend of New Haven. In sub.
sequent letters he spoke very highly Of Mr.
Townsend, and seemed to have great conf.
dence in him.
Mr.. Brodlee took fever and died. / an
not sure that his widow told where he dice
II believe it was in New Haven. The news
soon reached London, and VIM. Augustus
Bowring went Immediately to Bolton to in.
form his bereaved sister. From her own
account, it is probable the tidings rendered
her delirious; for she says she does not re.
member much that happened to her, till she
found herself in a travelling carriage with
her brother, on her way from Edinburgh
and was told that the physicians had order
ed her to travel for her health. When hel
mind became comparatively calm, her favor
lite project was to bring her daughters tC
this country, and educate the whole famil,
here, as she supposed her deceased HUSBAND
had intended and wished. Previous to car
rying this design into effect, she visited q
relation in Ireland, lord Agar; and agreea.
bly, to his advice sailed from Belfast, Ireland
in vessel, which Ithink was called the Rot
Roy. An old and faithful nursery maid
who had long lived in the family, accompa.
MED her to take care of the little girls, She
died on the passage, and was thrown into
the sea. Mrs. Bradlee and the children suf
alarming accident happened to them till they