The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-31
THE PURCHASER or MONTICELLO.


hno IN beuersons Old Home.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. March 2s.-The
sale by auction VI Thomas Jefrerson's resi-
dence at Monticello to Jefferson NJ Levy. who
was named for the greut statesman. for $40 500.
awakened strong interest in the old homo
stead. The sale took place on the 25th inst,
tho chief bidders being Mr.. Keller. who repre-
scented a Joint stock company. and Mr.. Levy.
the nephew Of the late Commodore Uriah p.
Levy Of the United States Navy. By whom the
ostato was originally purchased from the JEFF
ierson family The present Mr.. Levy is we'll
known ana wealthy young lawyer OF Now York
and is himself the heir under the Commodoro's
will to four seventies and one-third. or nine
teen-twcnty-frsts in all Of the estate. Mr..
Koler's object was to buy the homestead In be-
half OF a Joint stock company. He bid TO $1,000.
but the property was finally knocked down
to tho principal heir for the amount already
stated. 1t is Mr.. Levy's intention to occupy tho
Old mansion and grounds rs n summer resi-
deuce during six months OF the year. but II will
at all times rHnrn open TO tourists and to the
public. under proper restrictions The ancient
edifcc. together with tho surrounding grounds.
is to be restored. as far ns possible to the pre-
else condition in which Jefferson left II, and
work has already been begun with that view.
Jefferson's wife, Martha Skelton in addition to
her beauty. brought him dover OF l35 slaves
and 10000 acres OF land. His own patrlmony
was OF equal amount, 50 that tae revenue ot
the two combined formed IN income on which
an old Virginia gentleman Of the most liberal
tastes could live without pinching himself.
When Virginia cast In her lot with the Coniod-
erucy the ownership OF Monticello became y
! vexed question. Commodore Uriah 7. Levy OF
/ the United States navy. who sided with the
! North in 1862. WINS tho legal owner. but his
/ cinim WIS set aside by the Confederate, courts.
The property WIS finally conilscated and adver-
/ tsed for sale. An old copy OF II Richmond
paper OF OF. 90. 1864 printed on dirty white
mSnt Tor the sale o; Nonticciio in pursuance Of
| n decree OF the Confederate States Of America
in the court for the Eastern District 81 virginia.
. nocked 10 the sale. which soon stripped the Old
mansion 81 It's furniture and neirl9oms @, al
kinds. But two articles were left, the body Qf
the gig ia which Jefferson rode TO Philadelphia
90 DRAFT the Declaration OF lndepen icu"e and a
model ~ the man-oi-war Nnndalia. formerly
commanded 10y Capt. Levy. All the Old chairs
tables, wardrobes. Dresses, &c, which had 1e-
longed in the house for nearly a century were
auctioned OIL and scattered among neigh boring
residents Tor any miles around. Whom the war
was over the sale 81 the estate was annulled,
hut u was found to be- difficult thing 10 get
back the furniture. Although legally the hold
ers have no title To IT, It has been thought adyls-
able 10 purchase II back wherever the holders
are willing and Mr.. Levy has already pub
lished advertisements In the local papers Tor that
In 1880 Monticello was advertised for snle.
Andrew Jackson was President. and he sent
for Capt Levy. whom he knew 10 be rich and
TO entertain passionate admiration for Jeifer-
son and his principles.
What are, your wishes. Mr.. President?
II want you to buy Monticello" said Old
Hickory. leaning back IN his chair and speak.
in the hands Of some one who reverencrs the
memory OF Jefferson and who will maintain
and preserve his old homestead just rs Jeffer-
son left IT,. know your sentiments. and know
you are the man 10 do IL.
Mr.. President" answered the Captain. Il
always obey my superior's orders. l shall not
lie aiierwurd attended the sale, bought the
property, and kept his pledge TO Jackson In the
strictrst manner. He removed his family tC
Monticello. and with them inhabited the old
mansion during his leaves ot absence ashore.
In the same year, 1880, Capt Levy orderet
tho construction. in Frunce. OF the magnlilcen
statue of Jefferson. by David. Il was hlishet
in 1884 aud presented by Levy TO the United
States Government. The bronze model from
which the stntue WAS copied WINS presented by
the Captain 10 the city ot New York. aud 10 stu
/ 20 be sa-n In the Governors Room in the Cit
| Hall The Captain in return was presentes
with the Freedom of the city in gold box
/ During the Mexican war he held a command II
the feet that bombarded Vera Cruz. and wal
/ altcrward placed in command Of the port anI
castle. u" died IN lob2, anu was nurled u
Cypress Hills Cemetery. where 100000 obelisi
The LEWIS are n Hebrew family Of Anglo
early colonial times. Tho Commodore
mother presided at Monticello. from ITS pur
| chase 10 the time OF her death in 1899. Befor
her marriage She visited the court Of Geore
| Ill. whore she was called The American
Beauty Her sister atterward Lady Noel, WA
) tutoress TO the Princess Charlotte. whose pic
ture in full dress low neck lace and feathers, b
- Sir Joshua Reynolds still hangs IN the iamil
resdcnre In East Fortieth street. New York.
The Commodore who lived at Monticell
. ] during his sOJOurnings ashore from 1880 up 1
the breaking out OF the war. IS stu held u
. great esteem, and CHARACTERISTIC anecdotes q
) ! him are afioat in countless numbers. HIS fox
: hunting exploits. his bet Of $4,000 on Polk
[ election and other stories have become clAssi
. IN this vicinity. The news that his New lor
/ nephew Is to occupy the old mansion and d
what he can toward restoring It's former glorie
= and old time hospitality. has produced muc
genuine pleasure throughout the communitl