The Washington herald., 1908-02-29

Argus letter purporting TO have been
written by Cotton Mather ITO Ye Aged
and Beloved AR Esaias Holcroft of
London. saying that the general court
had given secret orders 10 capture VIII
liam Penn and a hundred more malig-
nant Quakers on an incoming ship and
sell them 10 Barbados for rum and sugar.
At once. Mr.. Burr exposed the sham.
Cotton Mather in 1892. the date Of the
letter given, was divinity student, nine
teen years OF age, and not likely TO be
made the confdant on any secret orders
Of the General Court OF Massachusetts,.
The names given in the letter were found
10 be fictitious and II is now known the
letter was concocted for sensational pur-
poses
After the death Of Bishop Fenwiek in
Boston, in 1876. letter was published pur-
porting 10 have been written by him long
before. describing the death-bed scene and
alleged renbnciation Of Thomas Paine. in
1909. as witnessed by himself and a fel-
low-priest. The letter was republished
from time 90 time aIi,' was embodied in
the lives Of deceased bishops" in 1872.
At the request OF the editor OF the
Truth Seeker. Mr.. Burr proved the letter
10 be a fabrication. The exposure is pub
lished as an appendix 10 Col. IngersOlT S
Thomas Paine Vindicated-"
4 Literary RecIusc.
Mr.. Burr's later years in Washington
were those Of a literary reciuse. although
he had few choice friends. who. like
himself. were delivers into literary lore,
and who were investigators Of every new
cult brought before the public.
Mr. Burr was a great reader. His
work naturally caused him 10 spend
many hours among the books Of the liz
brary Of Congress. He read the daily
papers and kept abreast OF the times. the
local newspapers often being favored
with letters and articles from bis pen.
His views OF life. OF politics. and re-
ligion were complex. He was always
ready 20 grasp p new idea and ft Il into
his philosophy There were scarcely any
cults or isms OF latter days that ne had
not thoroughly gone into. Although nc
passed through many mental vicissitudes
regarding religion, his later years were
marked by a decided leaning toward
spiritualism.
The Secular League Of this city re-
garded him as one OF its foremost mem
bers. and on Sunday afternoons was in
the habit Of giving little talks on curren;
events and their relation 70 the social
conditions of the day.
He was not propagandist- While al
ways willing TO give his view. when asked
10 do so. he was not in the habit OF en-
deavoring 10 convert any one 70 his way
Of thinking That he himself was con-
vineed Of a point was sufficient.
He assumed the attitude Of DassiviD
.saL
dilettante I'm everything toward whict
his interest leaned. Many examples OF
his portrait work are in existence to-day
Il having been his privilege while in New
York TO paint many notable sitters.
Good Musician.
He was known locally many years ago
as a viollnlst OF note. having been a
member or the famous Georgetown Or
chestra. in which he was frst violin Tor
some time. He was a man who had a
kindly work for every one. who hated
hypocrisy and un6SThand dealing. HIS
generosity and charitable nature were In
many ways exemplifed. and many are
the benefactions that were had at his
hands
Financial reverses. in which he losl
his entire fortune. made his later years
less comfortable than he had hoped for
but money 10 him was a means only OF
doing good. and his only concern at dying
a comparatively poor man was on ac-
count OF others.
Mr.. Burr was twice married In IS5
he married Miss Julia Simonton. the
daughter OF James W. Simonton, Of New
York City, by whom he had one daughter
who survives him In 1863 he was married
20 Miss Victoria A. Osborn, the daughter
Of the late William Osborn. an English
man. also living in New York City Mrs
Burr, who is still living in this city. had
no children. although three grandchildren
the children Of his only daughter. have
been the pleasure OF their grandfather's
old age.