The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1903-03-31
LABORER is
BROTHER OF
ADMIRAL
william B. CrownInshlsId Lives
In q Little Cottage at BIutfton,
Ind..-Is Happy and Contented

Biuffton. Ind, March 3L--William Bent
ley Crowninshield, a brother Of Rear Ad-
niral Aren't s. Crowninshield, lives in
little cottage in this city, and works at
day labor as a horticulturist. Until
few years ago he owned a farm west OK
the city and raised fruit and garden
products for market. Incidentally he
manufactured a grape wine that became
noted throughout this part of the state
for Its age and fine vintage.
Although the one brother has climbed to
fame and an annuity. while the other
has hardly put away a competency for
old nge. II is doubtful whether the rear
admiral enjoys life more than his humble
brother or has closer friends.
Bentley Crownnshield is a wit and ls
possessed Of a fund of good humor. Such
a thing as envy OF his brother has 10
place in his being, but. ON the contrary,
he Is proud OF his achievements, as they
add lustre to an old and honored family.
which since the days OF the Revolutlon
has mad some member In high position
with the government.
SAILED AROUND THE HORN.
Jacob Crowninshield. grandfather OF the
rear admiral, was secretary OF the navy
under jefferson. and their grandfather $
brother. Ben Crowninshield. occupied the
place under President Madison. To their
father. also named Jacob. was left for
tune. which he spent fitting out ships 10
eall around tho Horn for the gold fields
OF California. and every such venture In
which hts money was Invested turned out
dismal failure. one OF the ships was
used as a prison by the city Of Sacra-
mento, Cal, until II rotted to pieces, a
few years ago.
The rear admiral entered the navy In
1860. being appointed to Annapolis by the
congressman representing the district IN
which their home. Seneca Falls, n. Y,
was located. He graduated I'm time tC
take part In the attack on Fort Fisher
but his first sea duty was in taking the
training ship Constitution from Annapo-
lis TO Newport. when IL was feared the
Southern armies would capture the for
mer place. Since the rear admiral en-
tered the service OF the navy his brother
here has seen him but twice.
Once they met at their old home In
Seneca Falls and once at Nashville, Tenn
Bentley and his brother George went &c
California I'm the early CO.'S and tried 70
mako fortune in sheep raising, but rhey
met with about the same success thai
expeditions. Bentley has since lived IN
Hfllsdale, Mich, but moved here twenty
years ago. He has followed farming and
gardening since his return from the West
A FAMILY TRADITION.
Each member OF the family possesses q
silver fork. which, family tradition
says. was taken from the barge Cleo.
patra, which was ntted out Tor the pur
pose OF resculng Napoleon Bonapart,
from the eland OF St Helena. Georg,
Crowninshield. a brother OF the rear ad
mirars grandfather, fitted out the barg,
at his own expense, employed the crew
and made the plans for the abduction o
the prisoner.
This barge sailed intot ne Mediterranean
rnd at Naples n consultation with mem
bers OF the Bonaparte family was held
1'he family, among them Jerome. formei
King OF Spain. ate dinner on board ship
and used at the banquet the forks nov
preserved by the Crowninshields. Tive
English men,of-war chased the Cleopatrs
out OF the Mediterranean. and Napoleon
looked TO other quarters for rescue.
other relics handed down from fathe
10 sor urc autograph letters OF President
Washington. Jefferson and Madison
Bentley has a letter written by Genera
Washington. but. while the signature and
PORTION of the letter are sail plain. tho
greater part Of II cannot be read. A lettet
from Thomas Jefferson TO Jacob Crownin
shield. hIa secretary OF the navy. thank
ing him for a duintal OF FISH. Is also pre-
Pcrved.
The family II related 10 William c. En-
dicott. a member OF President Cleve
lands Cabinet and 90 Lord Randolph
Churchill OF England