Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-05-07
&eadiug.
AARON BURR'S ESTATE.

AARON BURR'S ESTATE.
Six streets north of Canal street, as the
Sixth avenue horse cars 60, is the site of
Richmond hill, at Charlton and Varick
streets, New York. This princely estate,
so we'll known to elderly citizens, was for
many years q chief attraction Of suburban
New York. Situated on commanding
eminence, surrounded by groves of ancient
trees, it extended through intervening wales
to the shores of the Hudson River. The
checkered fortunes of the owners of this
beautiful region were not more remarkable
than the conflicting conditions which fol-
lowed the title of the estate as it passed into
the hands of successive prOprletors.
| About ten years before the Revolution
an English gentleman, Major Martler, for
merly commissary in the English army,
acquired possession of this tract and erected
on conspicuous eminence Il spacious and
imposing edifce, to which he gave the name
of Richmond Hill, and on which he gener-
ously expended much money in improve
ments and adornments, until his death.
During 1776 General Washington and his
family occupied it under military tenure.
1t was during this period that Colonel Aaron
Burr was appointed an aid, with the rank
of major, on Washington's staff, and thus
early became acquainted with the attrac-
tions of the place. During the seven years
of British occupation of the island little is
known of it. The year 1888 witnessed the
departure of the rOyalistS and the return
of peaceful citizens to their property and
rights. During the first year of the conven-
ti0nal government it was occupied by Vice
President John Adams. In 1897 it came
into possession of Aaron Burr, by whom it
was retained as a country residence for tif-
teen years.
Colonel Burr retired from the army in
consequence of impaired health some years
before the close of the war: He entered
actively into the practice of law and was
subsequently elected to the United States
Senate; at the close of that service he was
elevated to the Office of Vice-President.
Much of his time was necessarily spent at
the seat of the government, but all his home
life was spent in the society Of his family at
Richmond Hill. His hours of enjoyment
and the brilliant scenes of his social enter
tainments always found him in the chosen
spot. It was here he received with fitting
honors the distinguished strangers from ev-
cry land who came to study the country
and the people newly entered into the fami-
ly of nations. Certainly no man Of Of that
day was better qualified to perform the du-
ties he had taken upon himself. Born as
it seemed to adorn society, rich in knoWl-
edge, brilliant in conversation, gifted with
charm of manner that was almost irresisti-
BILE, he was the idol of all that came within
the magic circle of his friendship and social
influence. In his immediate family circle
was centered his purest joys and hopes.
Burr's married life had been one Of un-
interrupted happiness, save from the de-
cining health of his wife. His daughter
Theodosia, after the death of her mother,
was his delight and chosen companion of
his hours of ease and luxury.
Among the frequent guests of Burr's
house, during the period of his prosperity
and popularity, were the accomplished Vol
ney, the courtly Talleyrand and the prince
ly-born Louis Philippe. These were all
of class of men who could appreciate and
enjoy the elegant hospitality which was ex-
tended them. And it was there that Theo-
dosia, at the age of fourteen, her father
being at the seat of Government, gave a
dinner party to the celebrated Indian chief
Brandt.
The years that were passed at Richmond
Hill in the companionship of his wife and
daughter comprise his ten years of public
service. In that brief period Of time, cul-
minated, declined and passed away forever
the fame, distinction and happiness of Aa-
ron Burr. There is no parallel in personal
history of such fate, so sudden, so lrrepar-
able as that which befell the once honored,
respected admired and feared master OF
Richmond Hill. AS brave and faithful
soldier Of the Revolution he was without
fear and without reproach. In his first bat
tie he was chosen to lead forlorn hope at
the assault of Quebec, and while under fire
he bore the body of General Montgomery
from the crimsoned snOW-bank where he
fell. Chosen by Washington as an aide he
filled that confidential position until he
was transferred to like position at the side
of General Putnam, and from thence ne
was changed to more active duty in the
command of regiment. Distinguished in
the arduous duty of maintaining the integ-
rity of the neutral ground of Westchester,
his conduct won the admiration of every
commander. Successful wherever he led
an independent command, on the disastrous
field of Monmoth he made his final sacri-
flee of health, and ambition for his country,
and retiring from duty as an invalid he
returned to the walks of private life with
shattered health, but few Of the hOnors and
none of the rewards of faithful service.
Such is the brief, but true military record
of Aaron Burr. Is there nothing in such a
record to justify the hope of a memory wor-
thy to be cherished rather than the eNecu-
ton of undying enmity?
Of the great host of enemies SO suddenly
raised up and who relentlessly followed the
footsteps of this stricken man, how many
were there who should have shuddered to
cast the first stone!
His subsequent career was one OF long
continued sorrows. The melancholy death
of his daughters only child (Theodosia
married Governor Aston, of South Carroll
na) and the subsequent loss of the devoted
Theodosia herself on her voyage home to
meet her beloved father, make one of the
most pathetic stories in personal literature:
Burr determined to visit Europe, and
Richmond Hill was sold to meet some pres
sing debts-and thus they passed-those
broad acres and that beautiful home, into
other hands. From time to time it decreasd
in size and attractions and its glories and
fortunes declined. In 1922 a public garden
was opened on part of the place. Having
passed through all the mutations of subur-
ban property the Street Commissioner made
his influence felt; streets and avenues were
opened, hills disappeared and valleys were
filled up, until the mansion soon found
itself shorn of it's grandeur, stripped of its
groves, despoiled Of its lawns sitting sadly
at the noisome and unsavory corner of
Varick and Carlton streets. Alas, for the
changes wrought by the relentless hand of
time!
Burr died at Staten Island in New York
Harbor in September, 1886. Thus passed
away all the glories and the shadows of
Richmond Hill and of its master. All that
remain of them are q few floating memo
ries and page or two of history-tast fad
ing into oblivion.
The last of the line of Burrs died and was
buried few weeks ago. He was halter
born in Western New York in 1910. He
came to the metropolis about 1852; he pat
ented a hat machine for making hat bodies,
i {1,@n hnS fr.N6