Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-03-02
The Late Mrs. John c. stevens.

The New York correspondent of the Charles
ton Courier gives the following sketch of the
late Mrs. John G. Stevens Of the former city:
On Saturday morning, at Blancard's Hotel, died
one OF the best and most eccentric of the women
of New York. Maria Livingston, the wife of Com
modore John @. Stevens, of Hoboken, is no
morel She had reached the ripe age of sixty-two,
though she preserved to the last all the vigor Of
intellect and vvacity of manner characteristic Of
her youth. She was childless
Mrs. Stevens was widely known in connexion
with the celebrity her husband had so honorably
gained. The Commodore, you will remember,
took the famous yacht America out to England,
which won the prize 80 gloriously. He and his
brother are the owners Of the town of Hobokcn,
and the ferries connecting ii with this city, from
which they derive colossal incomes. Commodore
Stevens is also large owner of real estate in this
city, and, among other things, the princely man
sion which he recently let tor the United States
court rooms, at $4,000 a year. This valuable
property he intends bequeathing to Columbia Col
lege at his death.
Mrs. Stevens was one Of the most charitable and
at the same time most singular women. She had
peculiar fancies and peculiar ways Of doing every
thing Sometimes she promenaded Broadway very
carelessly dressed leading little poodle dog. At
such times she wished 10 be incognitd, and even
her most intimate friends scarcely dared 70 recog-
Mise her II they met her. Her sngularitics some
times occasioned her annoyance. Once when in
her incognitd costume, she went into Greenwich
street, not great way from her then residence in
College place, TO make few purchases. In paying
for the articles she carelessy drew from her pocket
a large ron Of bank bills, which, taken in connec-
ton with her style of dress and general appearance,
excited the suspicious Of the shopkceper. lie
thought her some common woman and could not
understand how she came honestly by 70 much
money. He at once determined TO satisfy his
doubts, and sent for policeman, who arrested her
on suspicion Of something, neither knew what. She
was indignant, Of course, at the arrogant and
graceless insult put upon her. She told who she
was, but both the policeman and shopkecper
laughed at her impudence.
At last, weared out by their perseverance and
stupidity, she requested pen, ink and paper, aud
sat down and wrote TO her brother, her husband
not being in town Meantime she was taken 10
the nearest police station, where she was detained
on suspicion, until Mr. Livingston arrived, verified
that she really was the wife of John @. Stevens.
just about that time the Greenwich sbopkeeper felt
his heart beating and humping against his ribs in
most violent manner and the policeman skunk
away, yowing never toarrest any one again, unless
good security was given him that he was not max
ing a fool OF himself
Mrs. Stevens was III but fewdays. During the
early part Of last week she went out sleigh-rding,
when she contracted a cold, which resulted in her
death. There are very few ladies' in this city who
with so little ostentation, have done so much good,
or who will be remembered by the poor Of the
downtown wards with more tender gratitude when
the bell of St. Paurs church tolls her funeral this
afternoon, than Maria Livingston Stevens.