Washington sentinel. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1856, 1855-06-02
Personal sketch OF Madame Jumcl, wiz
OF Aaron Burr.

Personal sketch OF Madame Jumcl, wife
OF Aaron Burr.
From the Albany New York; Express, May l6
In Lossings Field Book of the Revolution,
there is picture Of house on this island that
was erected one hundred and fifteen years ago,
and which at one time the headquarters Of
General Washington. IL is situated near the
High Bridge, over the Harlem river, and though
really within the city limits, is surrounded by for
est and dells, giving it rural and wild aspect
The grounds are beautifully improved, the gard
ems laid out with taste, and everything around
the establishment bears the marks Of refinement
and wealth.
On this historical spot lives a venerable woman
whose history has been varied as the changes in
her countrys progress have been rapid. Madame
Jumel is native of Providence, Rhode Island.
Her maiden name was Miss Bowen. She came
10 this city about the year 1893, and in 1905 was
married TO Monsieur Jume, a native Of France,
but then a refugee from the bloody massacre OF
st. Domingo. They did not live long together
from incompatibility 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 a
style commensurate with her husbands preten-
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-
qnently married Aaron Burr, somewhere about
the year 1916, but they, too, soon separated
After his DEATH she continued to live in seclusion
at her stately residence ON this island, with the
exception Of occasional visits to Paris
She was there soon after Louis Napoleon be-
came Emperor, and was at the Tuileries on the
occasion Of grand ball, where the Emperor re-
| cognited her the widow of his old friend
| (which enc tradition does not State) A friend
\ Of mine visited Madame Jumel n few DAYS ago
| and this has brought freshly TO my recollection
the romantic incidents Of her chequered career
Her residence is described as an earthly paradise
| minus the angels
/ Everything that art can achieve, or taste de
sire, or money procure, may be found there
/ Costly paintings, land among them genuine
| Ruben's, articles of vertu, presents from nobl,
| and distinguished persons, autographs and every
thing that is considered rare, and costly, and Gu
rious, may be seen there in lavish profuson
Madame Jumel lives the life Of recluse. Sh,
knows nothing Of, and will have nothing to d,
with her neighbors around Fort Washington
with very few exceptions. Even the boys hav'
a iudicious fear Of her, and trouble neither he
orchards nor her flower gardens, nor anything
that il hers.
Every evening gun is fred off on her prem
iscs to warn intruders. Very few persons eve
solicit permission TO view her grounds, and onl.
favored minority Of these ever have their peti
ton granted.
This old lady, now seventy-eght years OF age
has one penchanf; and that is for gathering aroun
her refugees from Europe. She is always takin
care of a flock of them, and TO make them useful
whenever good musician comes along she get
him the instrument with which he is most fam
liar, and in this way she keeps up very plcasar
} band ofmusic, which entertainsy her by their r.
peated performances.
Madame Jumel, from having mingled so muc
in the best kind of society, has all the COURT
graces and blandness of manner which distir
guishcd les danes dHonneur Of the last century