The broad ax. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1895-19??, 1924-07-19
NEW JERSEY FARM
ONCE KINGS HOME
Joseph Bon0p0rte, Ex-Ruler
Of Spain, Refugee There.

"A few citizens Of the United States
at one time had the rare privilege OF
neighboring with a king, for Joseph
Bonaparte, after wearing the crown Of
Spain and Naples. spent the remainder
OF his life as a country gentleman on
his magnificent estate near Borden
town, N. j.. writes Irene Cowan Tap
pert In Country Life.
What a picturesque figure. this
Frenchman, brother to the great Cor
slcan. Napoleonl Once playing a lead
Ing part In a brilliant world drama,
later we find him going about the
commonplace duties Of a landholder.
clad in a favorite old tramping suit
and a faded hat Suave and courteous,
he won universal respect and admira-
ton.
The idea Of selecting New Jersey
as a place OF residence originally
came from Napoleon while he was still
emperor Of France On one occasion,
In the presence of Joseph and several
of his officers, he unrolled a map Of
the United States and Indicated a spot
half way between New York and Phil
adelphia, saying:
IF am ever forced to fly to Amer
ics, j shall settle there-where can
receive the earliest intelligence from
France by ships arriving at either
port"
Later, when preparing for his es-
cape, Joseph sent a final message to
his brother urging him to 90 in his
stead and seek refuge In the quiet
spot he had previously selected. which
offer, as may be imagined, was imme
diately declined.
Joseph's escape to America as mar
rated by his secretary, Maillird, In
''Bonaparteis Park and the Murats,"
tells us that the vessel selected for
the journey was small, common
looking brig, the Commerce, weighing
200 tons, and loaded with a cargo Of
Bordeaux wines.
A skillful captain, Messervey, a
Swede, was In command Of the Com
merce. Three times the vessel was
stopped on the high seas and
searched by English frigates who
were on the lookout for the de-
throned emperor, but so carefully had
the papers and the passports been
prepared that even the captain did not
know the Identity of his distinguished
passengers until after the vessel had
landed On the following day, in blaz-
ing headlines, Messervey read all
about the voyage and the successful
escape Of a former crowned head Of
Europe.
The city of Philadelphia became the
first place of residence for Count de
Survilliers, which was the former
kings title in this country, and he first
occupied a house on Ninth street, later
renting one OF the ten pretentious
houses of the Girard trust fund in
Girard row, located on Chestnut street
below Twelfth. He lived in apparent
comfort for the space Of several
years.
Soon after his arrival in America
Joseph had applied to the legislature
Of New Jersey for permission to hold
real estate without becoming natural
lied. Approaching his peculiar posi-
ton, the legislature. after due consid-
Grafton, complied with his request.
The count then purchased some
land. His real estate consisted of ten
1 farms on the banks of Crosswicks
creek, extending up TO the opposite
village Of GroverviIle, and park of
about 1000 acres. This park, known
as Bonaparte's park, was situated on
an elevated plateau near Bordentown.