Iron County register., 1899-03-16
A Colonial Bachelor


DOSTON'S famous bachelor. Peter
ID Faneuil. came to Boston from the
family home at New Rochelle. Y. Y.
and was soon received at the home OF
his uncle, Andrew Faneuil. a freaky
old man, who. although having been
married in his early life in France,
seemed determined to prevent anv OF
his nephews from indulging in that
alliance.
This old Huguenot merchant had
taken his nephew. Benjamin. brother
Of Peter, TO his heart and home. with
the tacit understanding that he should
have his great fortune on condition
that he should remain single Things
went on well IN that mansion on Ire
mont street until a fair young lady
charced to cross Beniamin's pathway,
and all was up, for he was engaged
before he hardly realized il. and was.
consequently. banished from his un-
cle's home and prospective fortune.
II was then that Peter stepped into
the beautiful home of luxury on the
same conditions
No arrangement of domestic affairs
al the fremont street mansion could
have ceen more to the mind OF the
deceased uncle than Jc have his nephew
Peter and niece Mary Ann each in sin
gle life occupying that which he could
no longer enjoy and feasting them
selves upon the good things of his gar
den Theirs was lot envied by many.
Among the homes to which young
Peter was introduced when coming to
Boston was that of the Jekyll family.
consisting of the head. who was col
lector of the port of Boston. his queen
" wife. with two sons and two Gaugh-
tiers. who were not far from his age.
Here Peter found most congenial so
-ciety. Joseph and Richard Jekyll with
Peter FaEeuil made happy trio.
Peter most generously shared his
portion OF the Coleman pears from his
uncle's garden with these companions.
The cinnamon roses. so carefully cul-
Jured by the old HuguenOt. were early
found before the large pierglass at the
-Jekyll home. and the rarities produced
in the Faneuil hothouse were slyly
shared with the Misses Hannah and
Mary Jekyll.
In August. 1870. Jonathan Belcher
appeared as the governor of the prov
ince. He was of Massachusetts birth,
of Andrew Faneuil Young Jonathan
had been sent 10 England as agent for
the colony. and made 50 favorable an
impression on the king, George l., that
his majesty had appointed him as gov
ernor of his native province.
The coming of the young man in this
capacity was an occasion of great pomp
and parade in the town There was a
reception at his residence in Orange
street The people of quality in the
town were all in attendance. and Peter
Faneun presented his Huguenot sister
when the company took positions for
the dance
Peter and Mary came in touch with
the Jekyll ladies, and mutual admira-
ton at once sprang up When the
-Jekvn sisters displayed their grace in
the minuet Peters eyes were riveted
upon them
Fearing that his uncle Andrew might
detect his emotions. Peter plunged into
business in hopes to conquer himself.
In vain did Peter seek relief in bust
ness
In less than three years the port of
Boston was without a collector. and the
-Jekyn pew was shrouded in mourning.
mourning gloves were freely given, and
Peter was honored with a mourning
ring from the Jekyll heirs
In the course of settling the estate
the family was obliged to leave Bos-
ton. and 60 TO London. The real es-
tate in Boston was left in Peter
FaneuiI's charge. These duties he per-
formed with willing heart. When
signing a receipt for rent in behalf of
the Jekylls he felt that he had a per
sonal interest in the welfare of each,
and when making a remittance he ac-
C-ompanied it with letter, which con-
cluded with his characteristic, Il sa-
lutte you. kiss my hand" etc.
When the Huguenot uncle was i'll
Peter was notified by the Jekyll broth
ers that their sisters were about 10 sail
for Boston to be in his care.
So fearful was Peter of losing the
conditional fortune that he had not
even intrusted his secret to his sister.
Mary Ann. and she planned to wei
come the young sisters at the mansion
on fremont street.
The ship arrived and cast anchor at
Faneuil's wharf; the guests were well
coined by Peter Faneuil. escorted to his
carriage and conveyed to the family
mansion, and after a temporary rest
20 other lodgings, Uncle Andrew being
too iii 10 have guests in the house.
The Jekyn brothers request to Peter
Faneuil applied only to their sisters
financial interests, but he construed IT
fn mean their entire welfare.