The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1909-06-03
MANSION GONE TO DECAY.
Was Once Home of Theodosia Burr.
Now q Mass of Ruins.

"The Oaks that now desolate
mansion on the Waccamaw river,
near Georgetown, to which Governor
Joseph Aston, in 1901, brought as
his bride the beautiful Theodosia,
daughter of Aaron Burr, is the sub
ject Of an article in the New York
Evening Post.
The old mansion is still standing
but is tenantless, and other planta-
tions of the neighborhood are also
deserted. You can't get the people
to come out of the towns to work
'em,''. the visitor was told. "The
Oaks" long ago went to waste be
cause of the difficulty of getting
hands" to till it's lands. No Aston
has occupied the house since the war
of 1S61-5, and one must go to Char
lesion or New York to find the de-
scendants of the famous couple who
lived there hundred years ago sur
rounded by all the luxuries of that
period. One of the members of that
historic family now residing in
Charleston is thus quoted:
"Never was there couple more
devoted or so much in love with
each other. Mr.. Aston, though col
lege bred, knew little French and
Theodosia became his teacher, while
he continued the masculine, almost
legal, training begun by her father.
Both loved books and The Oaks con-
tained a fine library. They practiced
music together and attended to the
wants of a large family of slaves.
Outdoor employment and recreations
were much INDUCED in. Theodosia
was passionately fond of riding and
boating. Their favorite ride was
across the sands to the ocean, a good
three miles, and q brisk gallop up
and down the smooth, hard strand.
There was a pleasant and even bril-
liant society in the neighborhood at
that time. Plantation houses lined
the bank of the river quite to George
town. Their owners were mostly
college bred men, and many, with
their families, had made the grand
tour. Their homes were models OF
elegance and ease. In this brilliant
circle Theodosia at once became a
prime favorite. Her personal charms
and engaging manners would have
won her the position even if she had
not been the daughter Of the vice
president. Afternoon teas, riding
parties, picnic excursions to the
beach were the principal social rec
reations.
'.The reading and answering of
letters from friends in the North en-
gagged good share of the young
matron's time. Col. Burr wrote fire.
quently and his epistles, which have
been preserved, we're models in their
way, filed with wit, politics, home
gossip, and with tender solicitude for
her welfare. When the days of her
fathers adversely came, he had no
stauncher friend than his daughter,
and when the infamous trial for
treason came on at Richmond, she
flew to his side, and sustained him
by her presence and filial attentions.
Then came Burr's four years of exile
in Europe, during which she re-
NAMED here on the rack of anxiety.
at last new president, Madison,
came in, and chiefly through her per-
suasions and the influence of her
husband, Burr was permitted to re-
turn. On his arrival in New York
he wrote her to join him there. She
hastened to obey; and. as her
strength would not allow Of the te-
dious land journey, she embarked at
Georgetown for New York in the
Patriot, small but staunch schoon-
er, which had often made the
sails sank beneath the sea line moth
Ing was ever heard Of her.
"a story arose that she was cap
tured by pirates, but we never be-
ieved it, deeming it more probable
that she foundered in fierce gale
that swept the coast about the time
she was due to arrive of Hatteras.
Perhaps the above is chiefly nota-
bic because Of the remarkable refer
ence to the Infamous trial of
Aaron Burr for treason-he who
conspired against his country and as
pired to make himself emperor of
the West! Charleston, like most old
Southern cities, is full Of bitter men,
ories, but they are chiefly concerned
with the tragedies of the war be-
tween the States and Of reconstruc-
ton. It is almost with shock Of
surprise that one learns
of inherited bitter memories among
contemporary Burr-Alstons reaching
all the way back to the days when
President Jefferson caused Aaron
Burr to be tried for treason.
It may be noted in this connection
that when Burr passed through
Georgia as a prisoner, he spent the
night en- route near Milledgeville.
The house Is now standing, and is
the property Of Mrs. Furman, the
daughter OF: Joseph LeConte, Of Co.
and the mother Of Mrs. J. N.
Talley, of Macon. The place is known
as Scottsboro. Old servants still on
the plantation now, assert that
spirits haunt the room Burr oc-
cupied. ---
Suspected of Wife-Murder.
Chicago, May 30.-Mrs. Nora Jane
fIeminson 90 wears old: was found