The mountain Democrat., 1865-09-23
The late Madam Jumsl, Wife OF
Aaron Burr.

The New York Times contains the fol.
lowing interesting biographical sketch of
Madam Eliza B. Jumel, whose death, in
the 92d year Of her age, was lately chron.
iclcd in the Bulletin:
Madam Jumel was very Singulsy DEF
son, about whose name twined MANY mar
velous stories, and with whose history
the greatest men Of colonial and Revolu.
tionary days were intimately connected.
according to one historian, she was born
of an English mother, Mrs. Capet, in the
cabin Of French frigate, which in the
year Of our Lord 1869 was carrying troops
to the West indies from La Brest. The
mother died as the child drew the first
breath Of life. Somewhat embarrassed
by the tender charge, the Captain conclu-
ded to keep her, but afterward, when
driven into Newport, R. l., harbor, he
placed her in the custody of an elderly
lady named Thompson. who agreed to
take good care of her. Mrs. Thompson
was good woman, and many clergymen
visited her comparatively humble 6well
ing, SO that the early years of the little
one were passed among good influences.
Many Of His Britannia Majesty's off.
GERS d~elt in Newport, Among them was
a certain Colonel P. Croix, whose person
al appearance is reported to have been
most taking-whose position in society
was excellent. The Colonel met Miss
Capet when she was about II years Of
age, and fell in love with her pretty face
aud pleasant figure. She reciprocated the
tender passion, which eventuated in an
elopement, the indscreet but entirely
happy pair proceeding to New York,
where the lady lodged at a handsome
wooden structure" but recently standing
where now rests the north wing of Stew.
arts marble palace.
Brought at once into contact with the
best people of the city, the LADY became
a cultured woman Of the world, fond Of
its pleasures, Versed in its intrigues, in.
terested in the cabals OF politicians, and
espou>lng with ardor one side or the 9TH
er oi the military emeutes with which
the latter days of the eighteenth century
were so cursed in New York city. She
was present at the opening of the first
session Of Congress at Philadelphia, in
( ISNFNNhpO!s 49, II al'H dt t1e llduSuIALlOIl
of Washington as President, she created
decided impression by her beauty and
/ general air Of savoir faire. She was about
20 years Of age then, and very elegant in
! person and distinguished in bearing. -
Madam Jumel first met Aaron Burr when
he ranked as Captain in the army, and
was greatly impressed by his power and
! expression. She was even then intimate
with Benedict Arnold, whose wife she
Iancled her best friend and with Patrick
/ Henry, in whose breast of reserve she
/ started a dangerous fire of love and pas
sion but, forgetful of those noted men,
and Of the scores who bent willingly be-
/ fore her shrine, she wrote thuS Of the
man who, in after years. was destined t"
be her lord, il not her master. She says:
Capt. Aaron Burr, in the hey day of
his youth, as he now vaS. appeared to mr
the perfection Of manhood perSoniti"d.- -
He was beneath the con mon size Of men.
only tive feet aud half higr, but his ii.
ure and form had been fashioned in the
models of the graces Petite as he com
parative!y was, he had a martial appear
ance, and displayed IN all his movements
/ those accomplishments which are onl,
acquired IN the camp, and embelishrd H.
the b0ndor OF the graceS. ln a word, hc
was c"mhinrd model Of Mars and Apol
10. His eye was the deepest ha K, and
spnrkIed with an ircomp: p:ehvnSihle bril-
hancv when he smiled; but il eniageI
it, power was absolutely terrific. Into
whatever female society he charc,d, hy
the fortune "f war or hy the vci>silud,s
OF private life to he cast. he cunqueren
all hearts without an effort; aud, until
he became deeply involved in the cares of
State, and the veXationS incident to the
political arena, | do not believe female
capable Of the gentle emotion Of love ever
looked upon him without loving him -
Wherever he went he was petted aud "a
re>>ed bv our sex, al hundreds WED
with each other in continuous struggle
to offer hin some testimonial Of their all
ulation. And yet, with all this popuaIi
ty in the polite circles, he never took ad |
vantage Of his position, and do not be
Ii, We that any female ever had cause to
complain Of his seductive wileS, pertidy
or Injustice"
The casual meeting between the two
took place at the rooms of Lady Stirling, |
and resulted in Miss Capet'S acceptance |
OF an invitation to accompany Capt Burr |
that evening to the theatre. On the way
to the house. Burr asked permission to
stop for friend, and so doing, he brought !
into the carriage and introduced to Miss
Capet as his friend the afterwards crle
brated Margaret MOncrief A desperate
Irritation followed, but beyond that moth
ing of any moment occurred between
them, and he soon after was called away,
so that for years they did not meet.
Continuing her gay career, Miss Capet
met and knew intimately the great lead
ers of the Revolutionary struggle. Thom-
as Jefferson was frequent visitor at her
house, and friendship formed between
them which ceased only with bis death,
in 1920 Old Ben. Franklin called her
his "EAiry Queen" and was on terms
Of such intimacy with her as permitted
him to salute her lips in the presence of
friends. Gen. Knox was likewise wor
shipper before her, and Lafayette was
greatly charmed. That such a woman as
this should have gone through eScapades
and adventures is but natural; that she
should take pleasure and pride in bring
ing men of loftiest position to her feet is
quite understandable and that her repu-
tation should materially suffer by the
scandal of her rivals and the jealous tat
things of her female friends is what one
would expect; hut that she should final
" accept the hand of and marry quiet,
hard working. adventurous trader, ls a
vagary difficult Of explanation. She did
it, however. In the early days Of this
century she was wooed and won by a
Frenchman named Stephen Jumel, who,