The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-03-24
The Last of the Blannerhassctts.


The eloquence Of VIM. Writ and the memorable
conspiracy Of Aaron Burr, made the name OF
Herman BIannerhasset familiar house
hold word 10 the people OF this country some forty
years ago. His fame, misfortune and history, en-
bamed in the gorgeous eloquence OF Writ, are sill
familiar 10 many. But whilst every deciamatory
school boy recites with voice alternating from a
shriII treble to boarse growing bass the glowing
extract from the gifted orators famous speech upon
the occasion OF BuIrs trial, perhaps ever en-
qured the fate of the noble lrshman after the
failure of BuTr's great conspiracy. When the
treachery, heariIessness and viiIainy of Burr had
GrsIFayed poor 3a.,nerhasseu's almost Eden-like
palalIal home OH the Ohio, and involved The un-
Suspecting owner in his degradation and ruin, few
inquired his fate and subsequent history.
Herman Blannerhasset, all Of readers will
perhaps recoect, was the son Of an Irish noble
man who emgra!ed 10 this country in 1907
Possessed of ample means, he purchased beau
tilul island on the Ohio river, and expended near
ly hundred thousand dollars in the erection Of
an edifce remarkable for its almost Aladdin beau
ty of decorations and proportions. The ornamental
grounds in their beauty, and floral and horcuI-
tural ornaments, rendered Blannerhassett's resi-
dence earthly paradise. Surrounded by all the
appliances of the most refined luxury, with
magnificent library, costly furniture, superb pain
Ings, blessed by the society of a refined wife and
cited the admiration and envy Of all who glided
by his residence the waters of the Ohio
Seduced by the eloquence OF Burr, Blannerhassett,
unfortunate moment, became the confdan,e
of Burr; and was, as that persons accOmpIlce
arrested, conveyed to Richmond, cast into prison.
but discha rged after the acquital Of the princ pal
cOnspirator.
The pecuniary embarrassments of Blannerhas
self pressing heavily upon him, he was forced 10
fortune dogged his footsteps, until he died in Ireland
in 1928, broken hearted, and almost pauper.-
His wife and only surviving son returned 10 New
York IN the year 1881, in very reduced circum-
stances. The mother died many years ago, and
until few weeks since, the world had forgotten
the famous BIannerhassett, and his family
The following history of the son of BIannerhas-
sett, taken from recent perfectly reliable source,
illustrates with melancholy force The strange and
rema rkable revolutions of the wheel of fortune,
in eevating the IowIy, and also in crushing the
children Of the rich IN the mire Of the Slough Of
Despond.
few charitable ladies a short time since, vsi-
ted the Five Points in New York,-that most
horrible Of modern ALSntiaS,-upon an errand of
mercy. Here among ;he lowest, the vilest, The
most wretched OF Gods creatures, in damp, low,
unfinished, comforfless room, they found de-
licate refined looking old man, destitute of every
comfort Of life, without sufficient bread clothing,
forced to associate with the most rufianly and
principlcd OF the population of New York. He
was the only child Of the once wealthy and dis
tnguished Blannerhassett. The of a man
who had set up merchants, patronised literature
and the fine arts, and been courted and honored
by thousands, who had united with Rurr to conquer
empire, was found almost starving in cellar
in The vrst portion of New York. One alone had
proved faithful to the last of the Blannerhassetts
-one alone clung to the last spar OF shiPwrecked,
broken, forgotten family. An old negro woman,
a slave Of Herman BIannerhassett, in the days of
his prosperity, who had held young Blannerhassett
in her arms, when his father was the afluent
gentleman and associate OF Burr-was found by
the SamarIana who visited her master, devoIing
all of her remaining strength to her feeble and
helpless master. Forgotten by the world, this
faithful slave afforded TO the son of the celebrated
Blannerhassett-what the world had denied him
bread, and an humble roof 10 protect him from
the incIemency Of Northern winter. What
moral does this point Of the instability and
tainty Of worldly wealth and position-tne only
surviving son Of Blanne-hassctt, perishing almost
for want Of the necessaries Of life, in Five Points,
and supported by the exertions of faithful negro!