The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-04-15
Strange Death bed Confession

The reader of biographies Will re
member that Theodosia, the only dauSh-
Ter Of Aaron Burr, was never heard Of
after her vo7age to visit her father IN
New York. and that hitherto all specu-
lations as to her death and disappear
ance have been fruitless. James Parton
in his latest revised life Of Burr, mem
tons that no tidings Were ever received
of the vessel upon which she sailed. She
was the wife Of Joseph Aston, then
Governor Of South Carolina. After the
death of her only son, she languished,
and her health fast failed ner. With
view of improving It, and again seeing
her beloved father She set sail from
Charleston in the schooner Patriot, De
cember 80, 1912, on voyage to New
York. The vessel was commanded by
an experienced captain, and had fer sail
ING master an old pilot noted for his
skill and courage. The vessel was
staunch ship and noted for her fast sail
ing. and it was expected that she would
reach her destination in about five days
Timothy Green, a retired lawyer of New
York. friend of Colonel BUR-, went by
land to accompany her, and the news OF
their departure was telegraphed to Burr,
who was looking forward with great an
ticipation of ioy to the visit OF his
daughter, after so many years OF separa.
ton. The full time for the arrival OF
the vessel was passed, and still 1t did
not come. Every possible means was
resorted to to obtain information, but no
tidinrs were ever heard Of the vessel or
the passengers At last, when Burr
came to realize that his daughter was
lost. the blow nearly killed him. Par
ton saws in his history that he wrote to
her husband. Governor Aston, that the
world was blank to him, and he telt
severed from the whole human race,
The generally accepted theory CT the
sad occurrence at the time was that the
vessel was wrecked off Cape Hatteras,
and all had gone down.
While the Inter Ocean representative
was at Cassapolis, Michigan, recently
and in conversation with the keeper OF
the County Poor House, while speaking
of the occupants who were and hat
been there. he related to US the strange
death bed confession of an old sallol
who had died there, and was buried IL
the little cemetery attached to the poo
house. The sailors name was Benjamin
auF8gs'Ubv qpd hfu W5Ss bars hiFf' d rSp5S
about, as he was very oil and infrm
de was the Arabian Nights entertain
ment to the poor unfortunate inmate.
with Lis wonderful adventures anc
stories of sea faring life. Usually he
was suilen AM morose, sitting apar,
from the others for hours and appar-
emily meditating. Feeling that his end
was near. he one day called the wife OF
the Methodist minister, Mrs Parks. II
his bedside, and, in the hearing OF three
other reliable witnesses, gave the follow
ing death bed confession. He told her
that he knew his end was near, that he
had but short time to live, and he had
a terrible secret which prayed so much
upon his mind that he felt he must con-
fess it before his death. He then told
her that he was the murderer of Mrs.
Theodosia Burr Aston. When very
young he was on board pirate ship,
and on the Sd Of January, 1918, they
came across the ship Patriot Chase
was Immediately gwen, the vessel cap
tured, and everything of value taken
out and transferred to their vessel. They
then compelled the captain, crew, and
every passenger on board to walk the
plank into the sea, and all persisted.
He SAID there was one lady on
board who WAS beautiful appearing.
intelligent and cultivated lady, who
gave her name as Mrs. Theodosia Al
ston. When her turn came to walk the
fatal plank, she asked tor a few mo-
ments' time, which was grufiy granted
her. She then retired to her berth and
changed her apparel, appearing on deck
in few moments clad in pure white
garments, and, with a Bible in her
hand, she announced that she was
ready. She appeared as calm and com
posed as if she was at home and not a
tremor crept over her frame or a palior
overspread her features as she walked
toward her fate. AS she was taking
the fatal steps she folded her hands over
her bosom and raised her eyes to
heaven. She fell and sank without a
murmur or sigh. alt was my unhappy