Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1891-03-03

Antwerp company" said that the coun
had selected ga tract abounding with pic
turesque landscapes, whose remote and
extensive forests, affording retreat to
game, win enable him to establish a great
hunting ground; quantities of soil and ft-
ness for settlers were only secondary con-
siderations." This description of the re-
gion is q truthful one to-day, for although
miles of the forests have disappeared,
much forest still remains, and the delight
full landscapes LIE Ray spoke of have lost
none of their beauty by the clearing and
cultivation of large areas of what is still
known as the Bonaparte tract BY an act
of Congress of March 81, 1926, Joseph
Bonaparte was empowered to hold the real
estate above described by deed.
The eI-king remained on his northern
estate most of the time, until soon after
he heard of the French revolution of July,
1880, when he abandoned his American
estates, and, going back to Europe, never
returned. By an instrument dated July
IA, 1882, he made Joseph Raphineau his
attorney to dispose of his holdings in
America, reserving tract-goodly in eI-
tent, but almost valueless for agriculture
to become the property of his natural
daughter, Charlotte. The mothers maid
en- name was Annette Savage, and when
Joseph Bonaparte returned to France she
married a Frenchmsn named Delatoils
Bonaparte had given her q large tract of
land near Indian River, jefferson county,
and here they resided in fine country
mansion for a number of years When
Mrs. Delafoile was left widow she had
three children to provide for, as two had
been born to her after her marriage to
Delafoile. She moved to Watertown, and
aided in their support by keeping a small
sta fnr tha Gala IS
the Bonaparte estate Charlotte received
twelve hundred dollars per year until the
Franco-Prussian war. She married Zebu-
Ion II. Benton, who survives her, and re-
sides on the remnant of the estate in JEFF
ferson county. 1t is rich in iron ore, be-
yond a doubt; but, owing to lack of tact,
Mr.. Benton has never been able TO do any
thing advantageous with it, although for
many years the couple lived fairly well
upon the proceeds of sales of piece after
piece suitable for timber or pasturage.
But the possibilities in this line narrowed
down, and Mrs. Benton had for some years
aided in their support by teaching French
in this city and elsewhere. She was the
Bonaparte Benton, of Philadelphia, and a
daughter, who, it is believed, also resides
in Philadelphia.
Mr.. and Mrs. Benton visited Paris in
1856 and were recognized by Napoleon Ill
as of his kindred, and were kindly enter
| tanned by the emperor and empress, who
presented them with souvenirs, which are
at the same time testimonials of the visit.
Napoleon Ill at this time legitimized by
his imperial will the union of Mrs. Ben.
toms parents, and thus in French law
made her legitimate child, fact of
which she was certainly proud. He also
| made her daughter, Josephine, maid of
4 honor to Empress Eugenie, which place
| she occupied until affairs in France com
PEELED their return to this country Ma
| poleon III often said to Mrs. Benton,
"Que je faime," in speaking of her visit
| to France, thus expressing the regret he
| felt that she had not come before, SO that
| he might have placed her children in the
| places to which they were entitled
| Mrs. Benton was known in her youth as
i Miss Caroline Celatoile. When in her
teens she attended for some time the
school taught by Mrs Evarts, on Whites
boro street, this city. She was particu-
larry handsome girl, and her eyes were
| large, dark and lustrous, and never
| dimmed by age. She had many souvenirs
| given her by her mother that were left by
| her father, and she received many more
| on her visit to France 1t was her delight
| to talk by the hour about the BonapsrteE
and the French people. She wrote bool
called France and her People" and cor
responded with many papers and severa
magazines. Throughout her life, so far a.
known, she had an abiding faith in for
tune tellers, and her belief in them in n,
manner departed as her years increased
| Few women had greater ambition, and the
downfall of her family and fortunes wa,
the source of much grievous disappoint
ment