Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1873-08-23
SAD TRAGEDY.
The Fate Of TbeOdOsia Burr-One of
the Saddest Tragedies in
History.
CTo the Editor of the Daily Graphic.)


CTo the Editor of the Daily Graphic.)
In yours of Tuesday. you have an |
article concerning the daughter Of |
Aaron Burr. She was, indeed, the |
good angel of that misguided man,
and to James Parton we owe our knowl- |
edge of her sweet and lovely character. |
There is mystery connected with her
disappearance. and, as you say the
vessel never reached its destination
was never heard from after leaving
Charleston harbor" With your per-
mission, will tell you what know Of
the matter. What | am about to relate
may be Evolutionary in a degree, but
still may possess peculiar interest to
the reader. 1t was understood, at the
time, that the causes of Theodosia's
coming north to her father was because
Of the differences between herself and
husband regarding Burr. Theodosia
defended her fathers actions, while
Governor Aston denounced them.
This was the cause Of a separation.
Theodosia embarked in a vessel for
New York, in the care of Mr.. Grey
wealthy Carolinian. She took two of
her children with her, also large
quantity of family plate. TidiDgs of
her departure reached New York and
her arrival was anxiously waited by
the lonely old man. But, alas she
never came. The bereaved father
gave her up as dead whether the YES
sci foundered at sea, or what happen
ed they never knew At this time, my
great grandfather, Phillip Freneau,
visited Burr. As he entered the Office,
Mr.. Burr met him, and grasping his
hands, said, MIR. Freneau, | know
what you came for; | have received
no tidings: l am desolate As he
spoke the tears gushed from his eyes,
and he cried like a child. Freneau
tried to reassure him, but to no effect
the conviction that she was lost to him
could not be shaken. Touched by the
grief of the wretched father, Freneau
afterwards sent him poem, entitled
"Theodosia in the morning star,
which was published in one of the
early editions of hispoems. Deprived
of the only being who loved him
friendless and alone, the old maj
gradually sank, until death ended his
grief. Now comes the mysterious par
of the sad story. Icannot vouch fol
the truth of it, as | have been unable
to procure anything Of documentar!
nature bearing upon the subject
Many years ago, a notorious pirate
named Gibbs, was captured, 5rough
to this port and condemned to be hun.
and gibetted. On his condemnation
he made a confession, and among 9th
er crimes confessed TO having captured
the vessel which contained Theodosi;
Aston. He said that he received in
formation that a vessel intended leav
ing Charleston, having on board plat
of great value. He resolved to lay il
wait for her; he did so and captured
the vessel, with all on board. In tn
struggle for the possession many o
thecrew and officers were killed. Glib
resolved to put the survivors to dealt
as the safest way of disposing of them
Mrs. Aston begged for the lives 0
herself and children; she offered hin
all the wealth she had and promised L
secure him from harm. She kneele,
to him and entreated HIM in the mos
beseeching tones, but the pirate wa
memorable. He said that if he save
them, he must save the rest, and tina
he couldnot do. He now forced ther
to walk the plank" The turn Q
the two little boys came, and, as the
disappeared in the sea, the mothe
firmly and proudly stepped off til
board to follow them. Whether thi
is the true story of the fate of Thee
dosia | do not know. If there is
copy of Gibbs confession in existence
this incident would very likely be men
toned. If true it was well that Bur
was spared the additional pain @
learning the mode Of his daughter
death. | give it for what it is wortl
Respectfully yours,
c. TOWNSEND HARRIS.
Piermont, n. Y, July 81.