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

memorable conspiracy OF Aaron Barr, made
the name. of Herman Blannerhassett as ia
miliar as household word to the people of
this country some 40 years ago. His fame,
misfor,uues and history embalmed in the
gorgeous eloquence of Writ, are still familiar
to many. But whilst every declamatory
school hoy recites with voice altering from
shriIl treble to hoarse growling bass, the
glowing extract from the gifted orators ia
nous speech upon the occasion Of Burr's
trial, none perhaps ever enquired the iate OF
the noble Irishman after the failure Of Burr's
great conspiracy. When the treachery,
heartessness and villainy of Burr had de-
stroyed poor Blannerhassett's almost Eden.
like palatial home on the Ohio, and involved
the unsuspected owner in his degradation
and ruin, few inquired his fate and subse.
quent history.
Herman Blannerhassett, al of our read.
ers will perhaps recoect, was the son Of an
Irish nobeman who emigrated to this coun.
try in 1897. Possed of ample means, he
purchased beautiful island on the Clio
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-
nerhassett's residence an earthly PARADISE
Surrounded by all the appliances OF the most
refined, with a 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
past his residence upon the waters of the
Ohio Seduced by the enquence Of Burr.
Blannerhassett. at an unfortunate moment
became the confdante Of Burr, and was. ms
that persons accomplce, arrested, conveyed
to Richmond, cast into prison. but discharg.
ed, after the acquital of the principal con-
spirator.
The pecuniary embarrassments Of Blan-
nerhasse,t pressing heavily upon him, he was
forced to sell his magnificent palace aud es.
tate, and misfortune dogged his footsteps,
until he died in Ireland in 1923, broken
hearted and almost pauper. His 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 ancI his
family. ss5e,.,,,-.3. ~ So t:4-s
The following historyof the son Of Blan.
nerhassett, taken from Il recent perfectly re-
liable source. illustrates with melancholy
force the strange and remarkable revolutions
of the wheels of fortune, in elevatins, the
Iowly, and also in crushing the children of
the rich in tbs mire Of the Slough Of de.
spond.
A few charitable ladies short time since
visited the Five Points in New York-that
most horrible Of modern .Alsatiac-upon an
errand of mercy. Here among the lowest,
the vilest, the most wretched OF Gods crea.
lures, in damp. low unfinished. comfort.
less room, they found delicate, refinedloo
ing old man, destitute of every comfort Of
life, without sufficient bread or clohing,
forced to associate with the most rutfiauly
and unprinciped 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, palronized literature and the fine
arts, and had been courted and honored by
thousands, who had united with Burr TO con.
quer an empire, was found almost starving
in cellar in the vlest 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 affluent 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-wIlat the world had denied him
bread, and a humble roof to protect him
from the incIemency of Northern winter.
What a moral does this point of the insta.
bility aud uncertainty of worldly wealth and
position-the only surviving son Of Blan-
nerhassett, perishing almost for the want Of
the necessaries of life. in the Five Points,
and supported by the exertions OF a faithful
negro!
AN old DutchnaH who had recently join
ed the temperance society, was taken sick ;
,,J c.,t 70 tI,a d,o,or r., nroenriha for hin,