Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-01-02
STORIES OF LIMOENWAL0
The Old Mansion in Which President
Van Buren, Lived.
Washington Irving and the
school Teacher--Hepry
Clay's Visit.

mainly cue 20 the TACT that II vas fox
many years the residence Of the eighth
President Of the United States.
"LindaDwald" received its name from
Martin Van Buren,, the little magi
elan,' whose social tact and hospital
ny made II a famous resort until the
day OF his death. The house was not
erected by Mr.. Van Buren,, as many
suppose, but by William P. Van Ness.
a Judge Of the United States District
Court for the southern district of
New York, who was Aaron Burr's
second IN the duel with Hamilton, and
whose ancestors, according to Dietrich
knickesbocker, invented the buck
wheat cake, While Judge Van
Ness lived at L~indenwald,
and during Van Buren's resi-.
dence there, it was the resort of
many famous men. Among the Wis
TORS were Henry Clay, Thomas H.
Benton, David Wilmot, Silas Wright
William l.. Marcy, Washington lr
wing, the Earl Of Carlyle, when trav-
cling ~incOgnito in this country as
Lord MoTpeth," Charles Sumner.
Prince John Van Bureu, Frank Blair,
aud many noted literateurs and poll
t%icians OF the day. 1t was here thai
Irving wrote part of the sketch
Book and "Knickerbooker's History
# New York la an autograph
letter, in the writer's possession.
written by Irving to Jesse Merwin,
who taught school near L~indenWald,
reference is made to their practical
prank in plundering John Moore's
anoe of perch and setting it adrifr on
the lake, TO make up Tor their own bad
luck. lrVIng's intimacy with Merwlu
was formed during his visit to Judge
Van Ness. 1t was then the custom
or the teacher TO board around. and
as Judge Van Ness had children At
Me:win's school, he came in turn to
board with the judge. But Merwin
proved such god company that long
after his term had expired he was per
suaded to make L~indenwald lis home.
In the same spirit OF playful humor in
which Butler burlesqued his host, Sir
'amuel Luke. in che character of
Hudibras, Irving caricatured his
schOolmaster friend. Jesse Merwin
was the original Of Ichabod Crane,and
his remains are buried in the village
cemetery.
The house in which Van Buren, was
born was in the southern part of the
village, nearly opposite the old
Dutch church. A few years ago il
was torn dOw n, and a new one was
built on ths old site.
M my legends haunt the spot where
ono, stood the old church. long since
rem wed. 1t was here that Martin
Van Buren, attended service when q
tow headed boy, in the homespun gray
suit and a little broad skirted butter.
nut cIlOred overcoat. Matty's parents
were illiterate and poor, but were
noted for servieeable, ~homebread com
mon sense. His father kept a tavern
which contained less than a half
dozen rooms for guests, and a small
choice stocked" bar. At an early
age the boy was set to school, and al
fourteen was ~apprenticed to Franci:
Sylvester, the village attorney, witt
whom he remained several years. Re,
moving to New York, he read Law
with Judge Van Ness and met Aaron
Burr. Returning to Kinderhook in
1913, he hung out his single, and
eumor says was soon engaged in I
cause which was rendered memorable
from the fact that Little Mattyn wa,
o. liged to stand on a table when he
made bis argument in court. in order
20 be cen and heard. From thai
day he made rapid rise in his profes.
sion. Politics opened a new field fol
his energies and set his mind aglow
1t is said that Van Buren, got hi.
Ooliticel condo from Thomas Jefcrsor
and his tactics from Aaron Burr. Hi,
enemies, who called him the Kinder
hook Fox, were eager to believe thaI
his private tutor was either Maohia
velii or the devil.
Alter leaving the White House tn,
OK President retired to L~indeuwald
where he spent the remainder ysarl
Of his life. His hospitality was un.
bounded, aud II there gathered arount
his table a Staid and sober company
Prince j jbu, the greatest of waes. leI
in a CLEAN Of fun. Henry CLAY,
visit made a great stir In the commu.
nifty, for be was then 10 the zenith O
his tame. IL is related by the veneer
able Henry g. Van Setback that
during Ulay's visit to Lindenwald 4
reception was given him at the villaR,
hotel. A young lady made her appear
ance to be introduced but the master
OF cere %nonits, Mr.. Beekman, had
iorgotte her name. Mr.. Clay happily
released the gentleman from his dilem,
ma BY spying:
Mr.. Beekman, neyor mind the
young lady'S name now; she will
change it soon."
An amusing auecdote is told by an
old inhabitant Of Thomas II. Benton
when the guest Of Mr.. Van Buren,, a,
one o fthose famous dinner parties FOR
which Lindenwald was noted 10 ia
palmy days. After the dessert had
been served finger bowls we're brought
IN and were viewed with some aus.
piciou on the part of one or two of the
guests. Later Benton said TO a friend.
Il observed Mr.. Van Buren, immersc
the tips of his fingers in one Of those
little bowls and wipe them dsintilv
on his napkin, but | Just rolled back
my cuffs and took good, plain Re-
publican wash"
One day the principal Of Kinder.
hook Academy called at Lindenwald
with an autograph album which con.
tanned Baron Humboldt's signature
and requested Van Buren'sautograph
Where shall | put my name, Mr
Postp" asked the ex. President !
"0h, anywhere, Mr., Van Buren, wa,
the reply, yen will find plenty oI
blank pages in the book" The ex,
President turned over the leaves care
lessly, and seeing Humboldt's sigma.
ture, paused, tcek up a pen, and wrot,
his own name directly under the
Baron's.
The ex- president in his old age did
not lose his youthful nerve and vim
and was universally respected and
loved here. Though he could moi
boast a comgsadiDg presence, he had
an elastic figure and carried himself