The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1899-06-06
A Colonial Bachelor

DOSTON'S famous bachelor, Peter
ID Faneuil, came to Boston from the
family home at New Rochelle, N. Y,
and was soon received at the home Of
his uncle, Andrew Faneuil, freaky
old man, who, although having been
married in his early life in France,
seemed determined to prevent any 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 Tre-
mont street until a fair young lady
CHANGED to cross Benjamin's pathway,
and aid was up, for he was engaged
before he hardly realized it, and was,
consequently, banished from his un-
cle's home and prospective fortune.
1T was then that Peter stepped into
the beautiful home OF luxury on the
same conditions.
No arrangement of domestic affairs
at the fremont street mansion could
have been more to the mind of the
deceased uncle than to 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,
lector of the port of Boston, his queen
ly wife, with two sons and two daugh-
ters, who were not far from his age.
Here Peter found most congenial so
ciety. Joseph and Richard Je4yll with,
Peter Faneuil 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-
tured by the old Huguenot, were early
found before the large pierglass at the
Jekyll home, and the rariies 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,
son of Andrew Belcher, contemporary
of Andrew Faneuil. Young Jonathan
had been sent to England as agent for
the colony, and made so 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
Faneuil presented his Huguenot sister
when the company took positions for
the dance
Peter and Mary came in touch with
the Jekyll ladies', and a mutual admira-
tion at once sprang up. When the
Jekyll sisters displayed their grace in
the minuet Peters eyes were riveted
upon them
Fearing that his uncle Andrew might
detect his emotions, Peter plunged in to
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 collector, and the
| Jekyll 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 go to London. The real es.
tate in Boston was left In Peter
| Faneuips charge. These duties he per
formed with willing heart. When
signing 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 &C
companied it with letter, which con.
cluded with his characteristic, Il sa
lutte you, kiss my hand" etc.
When the Huguenot uncle was Ill
Peter was notified by the Jelkyll broth
ers that their sisters were about to sal
for Boston to be in his care.
! So fearful was Peter of losing th<
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 a.
Fanenil's wharf; the guests were wei
coined by Peter Faneuil, escorted to hi,