, 1856-11-14
A Personal sketch of Madame JumeI, Wife
OF Aaron Burr.

The correspondent Of the Albany E1.
Press, writing from New York, May 10th,
gives the following interesting sketch:
In Loosing's Field Book of the Rcvolu-
tion there is Il picture of house on this
island that was erected one hundred and
fifteen years ago, and which was at one
time the head quarters Of Gen Washington.
1t is situated near the High Bridge, over
the Harlem river, and though really within
the city limits, is surrounded by forest and
dclls, giving it a rural and wild aspect
The grounds are beautifully improved, the
gardens laid out with taste, and everything
around the establishment bears the mark
Of refinement and wealth.
On this historical spot lives venerable
woman, whose history has been as varied
as the changes in her country's progress
have been rapid. Madame Jumel is ma
tive Of Providence, Rhode Island. Her
maiden name was Miss Bowen She came
to this city about the year 1898, and in
1905 was married to Monsieur Jumel,
native Of France, but then refugee from
the 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 liv-
ing in n style commensurate with her hus.
bands pretensions aud wealth. She moved
in the highest circles, both in France and
in this country, Of that day, and received
the court and homage of the most distn.
guished men Of the time. She subse-
quently 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 occa-
sional visits to Paris.
She was there soon after Louis Napoleon
became Emperor, and was at the Tuileries
on the occasion Of grand ball where the
Emperor recognized her as the widow of
his old friend, (Which one tradition does
not state.) a friend Of mine visited Mad
anne Jumel few days ago, and thus has
brought freshly TO my recollection the ro-
mantle incidents of her eheqnered career.
Her residence is described as an earthly
paradise, minus the angel.
Every thing that art can achieve, or
taste desire, or money procure, may be
found there. Costly paintings, (and among
them'a genuine Rubens), articles of vertu,
presents from noble and distinguished per-
sons, autographs, and every thing that is
rare and costly and curious, may be seen
there in lavish prolusion.
Madame Jumel lives the life of q recluse.
She knows nothing Of and will have moth
ing to do with her neighbors around Fort
Washington, with very few exceptions.
Even the boys have a judicious fear Of her,
and trouble neither her orchards nor her
flower gardens, nor anything that is hers
Every evening gun is fred of on her
premises to warn intruders. Very few per-
sons 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 Penohaat, 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
a good musician comes along she gets him
the instrument with which be is most fa-
miliar, and in this way she keeps up very
pleasant band Of music, whio4r entertainS
her by their repeated performances.
Madame Jumel, from having mingled SO
much in the best kind of society, has oil
tue courtly graces aud blandDess of manner
which distinguished les danes dhOnReur Of
the last century, To society and the world
generally she bears herself very haughtily,
forbidding anything like approaches to fa-
miliarity. She is as much Of deSpot in
her own dominions as any monarch who
sways sceptre. She likes her mode of
living, has wealth enough, has seen the
world, outlved the desires of life, and will
consequently probably 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.