Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-12-09
"Reminiscences OF Pavnell's Grand
mother.

WAsnISGroN, Dec. 8 S-Apr0pos of the
recent episode which makes the PArnell
family more conspicuous than ever before,
an old master Of "reminiscences writes to q
local paper:
1.-THE atte ntion of the whole civilized
world being attracted to the Parnell name,
it might Interest your readers to know that
10 the past his grandmother resided here,
and, in another way, was ~ much an OBJ
ject Of remark and comment - her grand
son 10 now. cannot say when II was that
Mrs. Commodore Stewart resided here
but my memory Of her 10 very good. She
was . very handsome woman, as l recall
her. but eccentric in appearance and in her
general intercourse. | used to see her
almost every day on the avenue, and she
walked with very queer gait, hardly lame.
but like one wearing tight shoes which
were painful.
There were two daughters living here
with her who shared their mothers pecu-
liarities. One Of them remember dis
tioctiy who was known as Peggy Stewart.
and the other one cannot recall. Wheih-
er either Of the ladies was subsequently
Mrs. Parnell do not know, but it would
not surprise me, as any of the family
ties which have occasioned so much remark
of late. Mrs. Commodore Stewart, as the
memory Of her comes back to me, while
not recluse, seems to have had but few
associates. They, Mrs. Stewart and ber
daughters, would take their daily walks
but always alone. do not remember
ever to have seen them together or with
any one. Mrs. Stewart was supposed to
be wealthy but made no display of it.
1.-THE story of her separation from the
Com nodore is almost Legendary, coming ~
it does from the long past, but As told me
in my boyhood have never forgotten it.
1t was customary at one time in the navy
for officers of certain grade TO take their
families with them on the long cruises
which sailing vessels had to undertake, and
Mrs. Stewart accompanied the Commodore
to the Mediterranean station. While at
Naples revolutionary disturbance occurred
and one Of the leaders Of the revolt sought
shelter smoDg the vetsels in the harbor and
eventually reached the United States ship
commanded by Commodore Stewart, where,
appealing to the sympathy of Mrs. Stewart,
he was secre,ed ia the ship
1.-The ship sailed soon after, and wien
some dis ance from Naples Mrs. Stewart
informed the Commodore of the presence
of this person on the ship. The Comodore
at once returned to Naples and delivered
the fugitive to the authorities, and, IS ]
was told, put Mrs. Stewart on vessel sail.
ing for America and never saw her again.
There was good deal of kindly sympa-
thy for her. for no one ever questioned
The purity of her motives, and her friends
said it was the harsh treatment of the Com
modore which produced in her the strange
after life she led.
II have understood that Mrs. Parnell
was one of the two daughters who were
with her here, but do rot know it, Only a
few months ago Mrs. Parnell was appeal
ing to the country for help. and IN Irish
comedian, then playing an engagement in
New York, gave benefit for her which
realized. as I remember, something like
$500. 1t was sent her, but her need was
not relieved, as it was said some creditors
seized il"