The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1855-06-01
singuIar woman---WifeO of A aron Rim:

|
In Lossing's Field Book OF the Revolution tb.,'
is picture of house ON Manhattan Island ,b,,
was erected one hundred and fifteen years auo
and which was at one time the head quarters If
General Washington. tits situated pear the HpI
| Bridge, over the Harlem river, and though reaIv
whiting the limits of New York city, is surround,
ed by forest and delfs giving it rural and wild
aspect The grounds beautifully improved
the gardens laid out with taste, and everythns
around The establishment bears the marks Of re-
fnemept and wealth.
On this historical spot lives venerable woman
whose history has been varied as the changes IN
her country's progress has been rapid Madame
Jumel is a native Of Providence, Rhode Island
Her maiden name was Mise Bownn. She cana
to New York about the year 1898, and in lsOa
was married 10 M. Jumel, native OF France, but
then refugee from tho bloody massacre of St,
Domingo. They did not live long together, from
incompata bility OF temper or some other cause
He soon afterwards died, leaving her three millions
of francs in France.
She frequently visited Paris always living in
style commensurate with her husbands preien,
sions and wealth. She moved in the highest cir.
cles both in France and in this country, of that
day, and received The court and homage Of the
most distinguished men of the time. She subse.
quentiy married Aaron Burr, somewhere about
the year 1916, but they, too, soon separa,ed.-
After his death, she continued to live in secluson
al her stately residence on this island, with the
exception OF occasional visits 10 Paris. She was
there soon after Louis Napoleon became Emperor
and was al the Tuileres on the occasion of grand
ball, when the Emperor recognised her as the
widow Of his old friend (which one tradition does
not state.) Her residence is described as an
earthly paradise, minus the angels.
Everything that art can achieve, taste desire;
| L IL. v
paintings, land among them genuine Rubens)
articles of vertu, presents from noble and dstu.
gulshed persons. autographs and every thing that
is considered fine costly and curious may be seen
there in lavish prolusion.
! Madame Jumel lives the life Of recluse. She
knows nothing OF and will have nothing to do with
her neighbors around Fort Washington, with
very few exceptions. Even the boys have judi.
cious ear OF her, and trouble neither her orchards
nor her flower gardens, nor anything that is hers.
Every evening gun is fired off her prem.
Uses to warn nrruders. Very few persons ever
solicit permission TO view her grounds, and only
favored minority of these ever have their petition
granted.
| This old lady now seventy eight years of age,
has one penchaDt. and that is for gathering around
her refugees from Europe. She is always taking
care Of a flock Of them, and TO make them useful,
| whenever good musician comes along she gets
| him the instrument with which he is most FAM.
liar, and in this way she keeps up very
| pleasant band OF music, which entertains her by
their repeated performances.
Madame JumcI, from having mingled so much
| in the best kind of society, has all the coUrIy
graces and blandEess of manner which dstn.
guished les DANES III Honneur of the las, century.
TO society ard the world generally she bears her
self very haughtiIy, forbidding anything like SP-
DPnAchPS n fAmilla rit ho ruuch nj n
despot in her own dominions any monarch who
sways scepsre. She likes her mode OF living
has wealth enough, has seen The world, outiwd
The desires Of life, and will consequently probs.
bly, never again emerge from the quiet enclosure
of her elegant residence. She has beautiful
niece living in Bordeaux, who is married, and to
whom her property will most likely descend.