Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-04-05
EDGEFIELD, IS. c., APRIL 5, 1854.
The last of the Blannerhassetts.

the name. of Herman Blannerhassett as ia.
miliar as household word to the people Of
this country some 40 years ago. His fame,
misforunes and history embalmed in the
gorgeous eIoquence of Writ, are still familiar
to many. But whilst every declamatory
school hoy recites with voice altering from
s!lrill treble to hoarse crawling bass, the
glowing extract from the gifted orators ia
nous speech upon the occasion Of Burr's
trial, none perhaps ever enquired the fate OF
the noble lrishman after the failure Of Burr's
great conspiracy. When the trcachery,
heartlessness and villainy of Burr had de.
stroyed poor Blannerhassett's almost Eden.
like palatia home on the Ohio, and involved
the unsuspected owner in his degradation
and ruin. few inquired his fate and subse-
quent history.
Herman Blannerhassett, MI of our read.
ers will perhaps rec"llect,. was the son Of an
Irish nobleman who emigra,ed to this coun-
try in 1897. Possrd of ample means. he
purchased beautiful island on the Ohio
river, and expended nearly hundred thou
sand dollars in the erection of an edifce re.
markahle for its almost Aladdin. beauty of
decorations and proportions. The orna-
mental grounds in their beauty. and floral
and horticultural ornaments. rendered Blan-
nerhassetts residence an earthly paradise
Surrounded by all the appliances OF the most
refined, with magnificent library. costly
furniture, superb paintings, blessed by the
society of refined wife and intelligent
children, his wealth and prosperity excited
the admiration aud envy of all who glided
pas, his residence upon the waters Of the
Ohio. Seduced by the el"quence Of Burr.
Blannerhassett, at an unfortunate moment,
became the confdante of Burr, and was, rs
that persons acconplice, arrested, conveyed
to Richmond, cast into prison. but discharg.
ed, after the acquital of the principal con-
spirator.
The pecuniarv embarrassments Of Blan-
nerhasselt pressing heavily upon him, he was
forced to sell his magnificent palace and es.
tate, aud misfortune dogged his footsteps,
until he died in Ireland in 1923, broken
hearted and almost pauprr. lis wife and
only surviving son returned TO New York in
1881 in very reduced circumstances. The
mother died many years ago, and until a
few weeks since, the world had forgotten
the once famous Blannerhassett and his
family. .s-
The following history of the son Of Blan'
nerhassett, taken from Il recent perfectly re.
liable source. illustrates with melancholy
force the strange and remarkable revol lulions
of the wheels of fortune, in elevating the
Iowly. and also in crushing the children of
the rich in the mire of the Slough Of de.
spond.
A few charitable ladies short time since
visited the Five Points in New York-,hat
most horrible of modern Alsatiac-upon an
errand of mercy. Here among the lowest,
the viIest, the most wretched OF Gods crea.
lures, in damp, low unfinished, comfort.
less room, they found delicate, refined look.
ing old man, destitute of every comfort of
life, without sufficient bread or clothing.
forced to associate with the most rutfianly
aud unprincipled of the population of New
York. He was the only child Of the once
wealthy and distinguished Blannerhassett.-
The son of the man who had set up mer.
chants, palronizrd literature and the fine
arts, aud had been courtcd and houored by
thousands, who had united with Burr to con.
quer an empire, was found almost starving
in cellar in the vilest portion of New York.
One alone had proved faithful to the last of
The Blannerhassett' s-one alone clung to the
last spar of shipwrecked, broken, forgot
ten, family. An old negro woman, slave
of Herman Blannerhassett, in the days Of
his prosperity, who had held young Blan-
nerhassett on her arms, when his father was
the afiluent gentleman and associate of Burr
was found by the Samaritans who visited
her master, devoting 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 Blan-
nerhassett-wllat the world had denied him
bread, and humble roof to protect him
from the ncIemency of Northern winter
What moral does this point of the insta-
bity aud uncertainty of worldly wealth and
positon-the only Surviving son Of Blan-
ncrhassett, perishing almost for the want of
the necessaries of life, in the Five Points,
aud supported by the exer,ions OF faithful
negro!