Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1855-06-01
siu-uIa, " omaM---SFife OF Aaron Burr.

In Losing Field Book of the Revolutions there rs
a picture of house on Manhattan Island that was
erected one hundred ana fifteen years ago. and which
at one time The headquarters OF Gen. Washing
ton it is situated the High Bridge, over the
Hudson river and though really within the limits Of
New York city, is surrounded by forest and dells,
Civ, it a rural and wild aspect The grounds are
beautifully improved the gardens lad 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 has heen rapid, Madame Jumel
is a native of Providence, Rhode Island Her maiden
name was Miss Bowen. She came 10 New York about
the year 1898, and IN s05 was married to nj. Jumel
but then refugee from The bloody massacre Of ST
Domingo They did not live long together from in
compatibility of temper some other cause. He
soon afterv ards died, leaving her three millions Of
francs IN France.
She frequently visited Paris, always living in a
style commensurate with her husbands pretensions
and wealth She moved in the highest circles, both
in France and in this country, OF that day, and re-
ceved the court and homage OF the most distinguished
men of the time. She subsequently married Aaron
Burr somewhere about the year 1916, but they, too
soon separated. After bis death, she continued to
live in secusion at 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 the Tulleries the occasion
ii,
as the widow of his old friend (Which one tradition
does not stae.) Her residence IS described Il
earthly paradise, minus the angels.
Everything that art can achieve, taste desire, or
money procure may be found there Costly paint
ngs (and among them genuine Ruben's,) articles
of yerue, presents from noble and Distinguished per
sons, autographs and everything that il considered
ralc and costly and curious may be seen there in
lavish proiuson.
Madame Jumel lives The life Of a recluse She
knows nothing Of, and will have nothing to DO wish
her neighhors around Fort Washington, with a very
few exceptions. Even the boys have judci0us fear
/ OF her, and trouble neither her orchards nor her
slower gardens, nor anything that is hers,
Every evening gun is fired off on her premises to
warn ntrudeIs Very few persons ever solicit per
mission 10 view her grounds, and only favored mi
nority Of these ever have their petition granted.
This old lady, now seventy eight years of age, has
one penchant 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 insru-
ment with which he is most familiar and in this way
she keeps up a very pleasant band of music. which
enertains her by their repeated performances.
Madame JumeI, from having mingled so much in
the best kind of society, has all the courly graces
and blandness OF manner which distinguished les
DANES dHOnneur of the last century. To society
and the world generally she bears herself very
haughtily, forbdding anything like approaches to
familiarity She is much of despot in her own
dominons any monarch who sways sceptre. She
likes her mode Of living, has wealth enough, has
the world outved the desires of life, and will
consequently probably again emerge from the
quiet enclosure OF her elegant residence. She has
beautiful niece living in Bordeaux, who is married,
and 10 whom her property will most likely descend