The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-03-22
Mne: 0ctavIe walton Ee Vert.

Auo ButSuy CuaTNtHS anu widely
known lady died on the 18th inst, neal
Augusta, Ca, aiter long life, which was
not without trouble, but which. was also
full of honors and successes. Nine. Ii
Vert came Of distinguished stock. Her
grandfather, George Walton, q native oi
Prince Edward county, Virginia, was cne
OF the signers of the Declaration of In
dependence. He waa member Of the
First Congress, convened at Philadelphia
and held successiyely the Offices Of Gov
ernor Of Georgia and Judge of the Su.
ond con of this couple, was educated a,
Princeton, n. j., end married Miss Sallie
hiinge Walker, the daughter OF distin.
guished lawyer of Georgia. Octavia was
the result of this marriage, hsting been
born at Belle Vue, near Augusta. Short.
ly after her birth her parents removed to
Florida, of which State General Jackson
wos then Governor.
Colonel Walton succeeded the General
in the Governorship Of the new State.
The seat of government was then at Pen
aacoia, but during Governor Walton's
administration was removed to "Talla-
hassee," this Indian name, signifying the
beautiful land" being selected for the
u.
The first public notice taken of the young
Cctasia was at Mobile during the last
visit there of General Lafayette. This
distinguished General having been. on
terms of intimate friendship with her
grandfather during the Revolutionary
struggle, the Committee of Reception
presented the young Girl to his notice
The old General gazed upon her for n
few minutes, then, bursting into tears.
caught the child to his heart, exclaiming,
"The living image Of my brave and noble
friendP Young Octavia, encouraged by
his affection, prattled freely in his native
tongue (for she was even then an accom-
plishcd linguist,) and after long inter
view the General turned to one of the
committeeman and remarked "a truly
wonderful childi She has been conyers-
ing ell this while with intelligence and
tact in the purest French. I predict for
her brilliant career" Her history since
chat time teB fully borne out this predic-
ton. Shortly after the removal of her
parents to Mobile, Octavia, In company
With her mother Ind brother, made q tour
throughout the principal cities of the
Union; and then commenced tn, emar-
kable career as social genius which gave
her worldwide celebrity. In the most
select circles she was hailed by acclarha-
ton as the feighing belle, but this title
never affected her high toned and com.
prehensiye mind. Il was during this tour
that Miss Walton became acquainted
with Washington Irving. The acquain-
tance was the result Of accident in the
first place, but only ceased with tho death
OF Mr.. Irving. Their last interview at
Sunpyside was of the most interesting
character, and on parting the author Of
the Sketch Il B,ok" said, ~ feel as If the
sunshine was oil. going away with you,
my child" MiEs Walton was constant
attendant of the stormiest session of Con-
gress under President Jackson's admins.
tration. and committed to her note book
the salient points in the speeches of
Webster, Clay and Calhoun. With Mr.
Clay she was e7sT fa7oIito, and 70 mis-
memory she has given o glowing and
affectionate testimonial. IN 1899 Misc
Walton married DR.. Henry Le Vert, of
Mobile, whose father was feet surgeon
under Rochambeau, and who was present
at the siege Of Yorktown. In 1916 Mrs.
LIE Vert was visited by Lady Emeline
Stuart Wortley, who was then sojourning
in this country. In the summer of 1858
she accepted an invitation from the Duke
of Rutland, and in company with her
father and daughter sailed for England.
Her reception in England and Throughout
the continent amounted almost to an ova-
ton, end she added lustre to NIL the brill
liant courts to which she waa welcomed.
Returning home in 1854 Mrs. LIE Vert
spent year in seclnsion and then revisit
ted Europe. 1t was during this last visit
that her celebrated Souvenirs of Travel"
were given to the public. The ''Sorve-
Mrs" were writer: by advice of Lamar
tine, with whom she became acquainted
during q visit to Paris. Tbs work at
once obtained for its authors varied abil-
tiles the appreciation of all Intelligent
Americana, to whom Nine. Le Vert had
been previously unknown, and was read
as eagerly in Europe as II America.
Mime. lie Vert wns strongly opposed to
the accession Of the South, and did net
forbear to make known her feeling on the
subject, even after the outbreak or hostiI-
tiles. She remained ut her home in Mo.
bile throughout the whole course of the
war, however, and exerted her large SYM
pathies and marked abilities in those hu-
name services Of which the Southern SOL
diery had peculiar need. At the end of
the war she visited the national capital
to ask pardon for her friend General
Beau.egard, who had previously been the
recipient of her most decided opinions of
the civil war. Several years ago she Wis.
ited the North, and found new fame and
hosts of new friends wherever she went.
In person Nine. LefVert was of medium
height, with c0untenance in which was
blended beauty. intelligence and amiabii-
ity. There Is not q State or the Union
In which her departure will not he
::iourned by sincsTo adn1iiffoia adn1iffoia Of her wit,
wisdom and hobleness Of character. .-Ne,oy
York Herald. ifci5 5 l13I