Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-09-07
BONAPARrEs OF BALTIMORE.

BONAPARTES OF BALTIMORE.
From APPleton's New American Cyclopedia
The branch of the family residing in Balti-
more, Maryland, was derived from the mar
rage OF Jerome Bonaparte, brother of the EN-
peror Napoleon L., with Elizabeth Patterson,
daughter OF William Patterson, an eminent
merchant in the city Of Baltimore She was
scarce eighteen years of age when Jerome
Bonaparte in command of a French frigate,
landed in New York, in 1903 She, at that
time was distinguished by uncommon personal
beauty, and is said, moreover to have striking
ly resembled the BOnaparte family The fame
OF Napoleon insured for his brother Jerome a
distinguished reception in America and where
ever he went he was most Hospitality enter
tanned On visiting Baltimore he saw Miss
Patterson, and soon became much attached to
her, .partiality which she readily returned,
and being ambitious in her views of life, she
at once accepted his offers of marriage, and
was united to him December "a, 1903. The
marriage ceremony was performed by the
Bishop of Baltimore, John Carroll, brother OF
Charles Carroll, of Carrollton, the signer Of
the Declaration OF Independence, and in ac-
cordance with the ritual of the Roman CatboIic
Church. The marriage contract, considered OF
Importance, was drawn up by Alexander j.
Dallas, subsequently Secretary of the Treas
ury, and witnessed by several official person.
ages, including the Mayor of Baltimore.
jerome Bonaparte remained in America for
afuil year, visiting, with his wife, various parts
OF the country. At length they embarked for
Europe In the spring of 1905, in the American
ship Erin, and arrived safely at Lisbon. The
news of the marriage proved very distasteful
10 the dictator OF France, partly because Je-
rome had dared to marry without his consent.
and partly on account of his own wish to unite
all his brothers to European princesses. Be-
fore the newly welded pair could reach Europe,
an order went forth to every port under French
authority, forbidding them to land. The hopes
OF tne fsir American were now forever blighted,
as Napoleon sternly refused to recognize her
marriage Jerome left her at Lisbon, and
hastened to Paris, hoping by personal inter
view 10 soften the Emperor, directing the yes
sci to proceed to Amsterdam, as the state of
his wife 5 health would not admit of her un-
dergoing long land journey, even if a pass
port could be obtained for her, which was yery
doubtful On the Erin's arrival at Trexel
Roads, Madame Bonaparte found that an order
had been awaiting her coming, which probib-
tied her from landing. She was obliged to
sail at once for England, where she established
her abode, and at Camberwelll, near London,
july z, 1905, gave birth to a son, Jerome Ma
Poieon Bonaparte, now living in Baltimore.
She never saw her husband again, except in a
casual meeting many years after their separa-
tion.
Jerome, who was originally much attached
10 ms wife, In vain petitioned the Emperor TO
recognize her, and was finally obliged TO Weld
TO the despots iron will, and marry the Prin-
cess Frederica Catharine, of Wurtemberg. AT.
ter the downfall of Napoleon, Madame Patter-
son (as she was styled for long periodD visited
Europe, and is said to have encountered Je-
rome Bonaparte, with his Princess, in the gal
lery OF the Pitt Palace, in Florence On meet
Ing, jerome started aside, and was overheard
to say to the Princess, "That Iadv is NV
former wife" He instantly left the gallery
and next morning departed from Florence
Napoleon Bonaparte never succeeded in in
ducing the Pope Plus VII to declare Jerome's
hrst marriage null and void. To the Pontifrs
honor be 1t said, he invariably refused, and
this protest has of late been brought forward
In question involving the rank of the Balti.
u more BonaPartes as princes of the Imperial
household. Madame BOnaparte has, since the
birth Of her son, generally resided in Balti.
more, as she does at present, in the possession
OF abundant wealth. Notwithstanding her
treatment by Napoleon, she has ALWAYS ex.
pressed the highest admiration for him. and
prophesies that her grandson is eventually to
succeed him as Emperor of the French-Je
rome Napoleon, son of the preceding, born in
England, July z, 1906. His mother returned
to the United States during his boyhood, and
ne was reared in Baltimore He entered Har-
ward College, and graduated from that institu-
tiOn in 1925
Mr.. Bonaparte had then some intention of
pursuing the legal profession, but, although he
studied for the bar, he never practiced law.
lie was married early in life to Miss Susan
Mary Williams, daughter of BENJAMIN Will
liams, Esq, originally of Ro1bury, Mass. Miss
Williams was lady of very large fortune,
which. united with Mr.. Bonaparte own pron,
erty, has made him one of the wealtbiest citi-
zens OF Baltimore. Since his marriage he has
devoted his time to the management of large
estate, and partly to agricultural pursuits. He
has two children; son, Jerome Napoleon.
born In 1852, now in the French army, and
another son, Charles Joseph, born in 1852.
For many years Mr.. Bonaparte received
handsome allowance from his father, with whom
he was on terms Of intimacy in his several visits
to Europe. During the reign of Louis Phil.
llppe, Mr. BOnaparte was permitted to sojourn
In Paris, but for a short period only, and under
his mothers name of Patterson Although
travelling tncOsnito, he attracted much atten-
ton from his singular likeness to the great
Emperor. He has always been thought to re-
semble him more than any of the monarch's
owR brothers did. lie is distinguished by the
same shape Of the head and perfect regularity
OF features, bronze countenance and dark
eyes OF peculiar tint, which Napoleon had.
and which characterize the Corsican people
Ills hgure, too, is cast in the square mould
HiNh VIC SEC III lne pictures OF Napoleon. Mr..
BonaParte has long been on good terms with
Louis y Napoleon, and since his assumption of
the imperial purple, has visited the French
Court with his son, by the invitation of the
Emperor. In regard to the validity of his
fathers first marriage with Miss Patterson,
which, if fully recognized by the Conrt Of
France, would give him precedence over his
half brothers and the Princess Matb;Ids ths
children of Jerome's second marriage. nothino
has rs yet transpired of public nature.
The refusal of the Pope Plus VII. to confirm
the order of Napoleon I, declaring the Amer.
lean marriage null and void, is still maintained
by the Papal Court But up to this time all
transactions affecting the rank of Mr.. Bona
parte and his children are considered of deli
cate nature, in which the family alone, and
not the community, have the right of inquiry.
II Is well understood, however, that Jerome
Bonaparte is violently opposed to the recog-
milton of precedence for the Baltimore Bona
parties, and as far as he is himself concerned,
refuses to acknowledge bis son and grandson
bby any name but that of Patterson. jerome
Napoleon, SON Of the preceding, born in Balti-
more, In 1882. He entered Harvard College.
where he remained two years, but was trans.
ierred 10 west Point Military Academy. where
ne graduated high in his cta 81 IN 1880 IL.