Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-05-08
AARON BURR,s TLIGHT.
Int r. sting Historical Facts Unearthed
by Local Staten Island Historian.

Interesting Historical Facts Unearthe ed
by a Local Staten Island Historian.
One of Staten Islands residents. who is
interested in the historical relics to be
found ON the island, has just unearthed
some interesting facts about Aaron Burr,
who lived On Staten Island tor some time.
o. records and narratives hitherto un-
Published have been found, bearing par
ticularly on the time Of Burr's celebrated
duel with Hamilton. On the morning of
that historic day, it is learned from one
of Burr's cousins who arrived at the Vice
Presidents residence on Richmond Hill
at about O'clock, Burr was found en-
Gagged in his usual avocations, there being
vidence of excitement or concern in
tii ,r his manner or conversation, al
trough the duel had already been fought
N the carrier hours of the day. The rel
alive left the house at 10 O'Clock, not
dreaming that anything out of the usual
course of events had occurred in Burr's
life. AS he passed down Broadway an
hour or so later and when near Wall
street friend accOsted him, much excited
and said: "COl. Burr has killed Gen.
Hamilton in a duel this morning" The
young man denied the story most posi-
lively, so completely had he been deceived
by BurT's wonderful powers of self-cOn-
troll during the several hours that he had
been with him that morning.
A record of Burr's escape at the time
from his home on Richmond Hill TO Phila-
delphia has also been obtained. 1t is
learned that at 10 o'clock on the evening
OF Saturday, July 81, 1904, a few days af-
ter Hamilton died, Burr left his residence
and entered a W q w of
the little wharf back of Richmond Hill,
leaving once and for all the great excite
lnent which his deed had caused, because,
as he wrote to a friend, ''every sort of
persecution" was TO be exercised against
him. ga corOner's jury will sit this
evening, being the fourth time" he adds.
'The object OF this uueXampled measure
is to obtain an inquest of murder. Upon
this warrant will be issued to appre-
bend me, and If should be taken no bail
would probably be allowed"
Burr was accompanied on the trip only
by his faithful friend SwartwOut and a
tavorite servant. Long past midnight the
barge and its distinguished fugitive reach.
ed Staten Island and began its voyage up
the Kill Won kull to Perth AmbOy, n. j.
Not twenty houses dotted the shore of
the island then, and only one light could
De seen from the corner of the Island
now the populous village Of Port Rich
mond. This isht came from long, sin
gle-stOry stone house known as Van Bus
Kinks tavern, standing near the present
terminus of Westervelt avenue and the
terrace, at New Brighton. On this night
there was being held here large, old-fash-
Toned paTty,with much musicand dancing.
Ike music awoke Burr and his cOmpan-
ion, and they listened to it for some time,
during which Burr related to his friend
how he had planned the capture of several
British military posts on Staten Island
during the Revolution.
At sanrIse the party had reached BlaZ-
ing Star ferry, now ROseVlle, on the Sta
ten Island sound; at O'Clock they were
passing Bentley's manor, now TOttenville,
and two hours later had landed on the
lawn of Commodore TruXtOn's residence
at Perth AmbOy. Here Burr remained
until Monday. the guest of the COmmO-
dore. He then proceeded by fast horses
and carriages to Philadelphia. A few
days ago the local historian, who is col
Letting these data, visited the old TruXtOn
mansion. the first house that Burr entered
after leaving Richmond Hill in his exile.
The house is a brown two-stOry brick
Od-fas hioned but cOmmOdiOus, with
piazza running along the entire front. A
handsome lawn surrounds the venerable
dwelling, and upon it are two large but
decayed willow trees. The house fronts
on Raritan bay, and commands a fine
view of Staten Island, Sandy Hook, the
highlands, and even the hills of Mon
mouth. The premises now belong to the
Woodruff estate, and are occupied by the
family of Mr. Budd.