USA > Ohio > Biographical and historical memoirs of the early pioneer settlers of Ohio, with narratives of incidents and occurrences in 1775 > Part 37
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amounted to more than forty thousand dollars. This sum, expended chiefly amongst the mechanics, laborers, and farmers of this new region, where money was scarce, and hard to be obtained, was of very great advantage to their interests; and Mr. Blennerhassett may be considered as the greatest benefactor, in this respect, that had ever settled west of the mountains.
The island mansion was built with great taste and beauty ; no expense being spared in its construction, that could add to its usefulness or splendor. It consisted of a main build- ing, fifty-two feet in length, thirty in width, and two stories high. Porticoes, forty feet in length, in the form of wings, projected in front, connected with offices, presenting each a face of twenty-six feet, and twenty feet in depth, uniting them with the main building; forming the half of an ellipsis, and making, in the whole, a front of one hundred and four feet. The left-hand office was occupied for the servant's hall ; and the right for the library, philosophical apparatus study, &c. The drawing which accompanies this memoir is a correct likeness of the mansion, taken from the descrip- tion of Col. Barker, one of the principal architects.
A handsome lawn of several acres occupied the front ground ; while an extended opening was made through the forest trees, on the head of the island, affording a view of the river for several miles above, and bringing the mansion under the notice of descending boats. Nicely graveled walks, with a carriage-way, led from the house to the river, passing through an ornamental gateway, with large stone pillars. A fine hedge, of native hawthorn, bordered the right side of the avenue to the house, while back of it lay the flower garden, of about two acres, inclosed with neat palings, to which were traced gooseberry bushes, peaches, and other varieties of fruit-bearing trees, in the manner of wall fruits. The garden was planted with flowering shrubs,
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both exotic and native; but especially abounding in the lat- ter, which the good taste of the occupants had selected from the adjacent forests, and planted in thick masses, through which wandered serpentine walks, bordered with flowers, imitating a labyrinth. Arbors and grottoes, covered with honeysuckles and eglantines, were placed at convenient in- tervals, giving the whole a very romantic and beautiful ap- pearance. On the opposite side of the house was a large kitchen garden, and back of these, orchards of peach and apple trees of the choicest varieties, procured from abroad, as well as from the Belpre nurseries. Lower down on the island was the farm, with about one hundred acres under the nicest cultivation ; the luxuriant soil producing the finest crops of grain and grass. For the last three or four years of his residence, a large dairy was added to his other agri- cultural pursuits, under the management of Thomas Neal, who also superintended the labor of the farm. The garden was conducted by Peter Taylor, a native of Lancashire, Eng- land, who was bred to the pursuit, but under the direction of Mr. Blennerhassett, whose fine taste in all that was beau- tiful, ordered the arranging and laying out the grounds.
The mansion and offices were frame buildings, painted with the purest white, contrasting tastefully with the green foliage of the ornamental shade trees, which surrounded it. An abundance of fine stone for building, could have been quarried from the adjacent Virginia shore, but he pre- ferred a structure of wood, as less liable to be damaged by earthquakes. The finishing and furniture of the apartments were adapted to the use for which they were intended. The hall was a spacious room ; its walls painted a somber color, with a beautiful cornice of plaster, bordered with a gilded molding, running round the lofty ceiling ; while its furniture was rich, heavy, and grand. The furniture of the drawing- room was in strong contrast with the hall; light, airy, and
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elegant; with splendid mirrors, gay-colored carpets, rich curtains, with ornaments to correspond, arranged by his lady with the nicest taste and harmonious effect. A large quantity of massive silver plate ornamented the sideboards, and decorated the tables. Yet they had not entirely com- pleted their arrangements, when the destroyer appeared, and frustrated all their designs for comfort and future hap- piness. The whole establishment was noble, chastened by the purest taste, without that glare of tinsel finery, too com- mon among the wealthy.
Their style of living was in unison with the house and furniture, elegant, easy, and comfortable.
Mr. Blennerhassett was a highly intellectual man, greatly devoted to scientific pursuits, which his ample library and leisure time afforded every facility for pursuing. He was studious, and fond of experimenting in chemistry, electricity, and galvanism. His apparatus, though not extensive, was ample for such experiments as an amateur would wish to make. Astronomy was also a favorite study; for which he had a fine telescope to examine the constellations in their courses, and a solar microscope, to inspect the minuter bodies of the earth. In music, he possessed the nicest taste, and an uncommon genius, composing harmonious and beautiful airs, several pieces of which are now remem- bered and played by a gentleman, who, when a youth, was intimate in his family. His favorite instruments were the base-viol and violoncello, on which he played with admira- ble skill. The spacious hall of the mansion being constructed so as to give effect to musical sounds, the tones of his viol vibrated through it with thrilling effect, calling forth the admiration of his guests. Electricity and galvanism re- ceived a share of his attention, and many experiments were tried in both these wonderful branches of modern science. Amongst his trials in chemical operations, was that of 32
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converting beef into adipocere, large pieces of which were submerged in the beautiful little cove between the landing and the sand-bar at the head of the island. He fancied it might be used in place of spermaceti, for light; but the cat- fish and perch interfered so much with his trials, that he could never bring the adipocere to perfection. He was a good classical scholar, and so highly was he enraptured with Homer's Iliad, that it was said he could repeat the whole poem in the original Greek.
His manners were gentlemanly, and disposition social, hospitable, and kind, especially to those with whom he wished to associate, but rather haughty to others. In mind, he could not be said to be masculine and strong, but was rather wavering and fickle; easily duped and deceived by the designing and dishonest. He had quite a taste for med- icine, and read many authors on that subject, which, with his natural propensities, often led him to think himself at- tacked with imaginary diseases, and it was sometimes diffi- cult to convince him they were merely ideal. To his sick neighbors and servants, he was kind and attentive, often visiting and prescribing for their complaints ; freely tender- ing his medicines, of which he always kept an ample sup- ply. His own heart being perfectly honest and free from deceit, he was unsuspicious of others, and very credulous in regard to their statements, which often led him into pecu- niary losses in his business transactions.
In bargaining with a notorious cheat for a quantity of the shells of the river clam, which, in the early settlement of the country, before quarries of limestone were opened, were calcined in log-heaps, and used for plastering rooms, the fellow said it was a difficult matter to collect them, as he had to dive under the water where it was six or eight feet deep, and must charge fifty cents a bushel, when, in fact, he could collect any quantity, where it was only a few inches.
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Thinking the man told the truth, he paid him the price, which was at least five times as much as they were worth.
He was very kind and charitable to the poor and unfor- tunate backwoodsmen. A Virginian, who had lost his house and furniture by fire, was soon after invited, with his wife, to dine with him. This man owed him a considerable sum of lent money. After dinner he told him he would either cancel the debt, or give him an order on his store at Marietta for an equal sum, and let the debt stand. The sufferer was a man of honorable mind and just feelings. He, therefore, chose not to add to his present obligations, but accepted the canceling of the debt, which was immediately done. This man still lives, and related the incident in 1846. Many such facts were known to have occurred while he lived on the island.
His wife was still more charitable to the sick and poor in the vicinity, many of whom felt the benefit of her gifts.
With all these kind acts fresh in their memories, several of these men were found among the banditti, who ransacked his house and insulted his wife, after he had been forced to leave the island from the hue and cry of treason, which maddened and infuriated the public mind in the valley of the Ohio.
In person, Mr. Blennerhassett was tall, about six feet, but slender, with a slight stoop in the shoulders. His motions were not very graceful, either as an equestrian, or on foot; forehead full, and well formed; with rather a prominent nose, and good proportioned face; eyes weak, and sight im- . perfect; seeing objects distinctly only when near; so that in reading, the surface of the page nearly touched his nose. They had a nervous, restless agitation, which probably arose from weakness of the optic nerves, requiring the constant aid of glasses. Yet with this permanent and continual an- noyance, he was a great student and operator in experiments.
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.
He was also much attached to hunting, shooting quails, and other small game on the island. To enjoy this sport, he had to call in the aid of some other person, whose vision was more acute than his own, who pointed the gun for him at the game, and gave the word when to fire. This person was often his wife, who, with the greatest kindness, attended him in his short excursions, and with the tact of an experi- enced sportsman, pointed out the object, leveled the gun, and stood by with the most perfect coolness, while he discharged the piece.
His general habits were sedentary and studious ; prefer- ring the quiet of his library to the most brilliant assemblies. In conversation, he was interesting and instructive; confin- ing his remarks to the practical and useful, more than to the amusing.
As a lawyer, his wife, who had probably heard his forensic eloquence, has been heard to say that he was equal to Mr. Emmitt; and frequently urged him to enter as an advocate at the higher courts of Virginia and Ohio, instead of wast- ing his time in obscurity, at his philosophical pursuits on the island. His library contained an ample supply of law books. A list of thirty volumes, loaned to James Wilson, a lawyer of Virginia, a few days before he left the island, is now among his papers in the hands of his agent at Marietta.
Mr. Blennerhassett dressed in the old English style, with scarlet or buff-colored small clothes, and silk stockings ; shoes with silver buckles, and coat generally of blue broad- cloth. When at home, his dress was rather careless; often, in warm weather, in his shirt-sleeves, without coat or waist-coat; and in winter, wore a thick woolen roundabout, or short jacket.
In this quiet retreat, insulated and separated from the noise and tumult of the surrounding world, amidst his books, with the company of his accomplished wife and
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children, he possessed all that seemed necessary for the happiness of man; and yet he lacked one thing, without which no man can be happy : a firm belief in the overruling providence of God. Voltaire and Rosseau, whose works he studied and admired, had poisoned his mind to the simple truths of the gospel, and the Bible was a book which he seldom or never consulted. At least this was the fact while he lived on the island ; whatever it might have been, after misfortune and want had humbled and sorely tried him.
Mrs. Blennerhassett was more aspiring and ambitious ; with a temperament in strong contrast to that of her hus- band. Her maiden name was Margaret Agnew ; the daugh- ter of Capt. Agnew, a brave officer in the British service, and at one time the lieutenant-governor of the Isle of Man. Gen. Agnew, who fell at the battle of Germantown, in the American Revolution, was her grandfather, and a monu- ment was erected to his memory by his granddaughter, af- ter her arrival in America. She was educated and brought up by two maiden aunts, who took great care to instruct her in all the useful arts of housewifery, laundry, pastry, sewing, &c., which was of great use to her in after-life, when at the head of a family. They were led to this, in part from their own limited means, teaching them to be frugal, and the need there is, for every woman who expects to marry, to be acquainted with all the useful branches of housekeeping.
In person, Mrs. Blennerhassett was tall and commanding, of the most perfect proportions, with dignified and graceful manners, finely molded features, and very fair, transparent complexion ; eyes dark blue, sparkling with life and intelli- gence ; hair, a rich, deep brown, profuse and glossy, dressed in the most elegant manner. When at her island-home, she often wore a head-dress of colored silk stuff, folded very full, something in the manner of an eastern turban, giving a noble and attractive appearance to the whole person.
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These were of various colors, but always composed of a sin- gle one, either of pink, yellow, or white, adjusted in the most becoming manner and nicest taste; in which particular, few women could equal her. White was a favorite color for dress in the summer, and rich colored stuffs in the winter. Her motions were all graceful, and greatly hightened by the expression of her countenance. No one could be in her company, even a few minutes, without being strongly at- tracted by her fascinating manners. A very intelligent lady, who was familiarly acquainted with her in her best days on the island, and has since visited and seen the most elegant and beautiful females in the courts of France and England, as well as Washington city, says that she has beheld no one who was equal to her in beauty of person, dignity of man- ners, elegance of dress, and in short, all that is lovely and finished in the female person, such as she was, when "queen of the fairy isle."
When she rode on horseback, her dress was a fine, scarlet broadcloth, ornamented with gold buttons ; a white beaver hat, on which floated the graceful plumes of the ostrich, of the same color. This was sometimes changed for blue or yellow, with feathers to harmonize. She was a perfect equestrian ; always riding a very spirited horse, with rich trappings, who seemed proud of his burthen; and accom- plished the ride to Marietta, of fourteen miles, in about two hours; dashing through and under the dark foliage of the forest trees, which then covered the greater part of the dis- tance, reminding one of the gay plumage and rapid flight of some tropical bird, winging its way through the woods. In these journeys she was generally accompanied by Ran- som, a favorite black servant, who followed on horseback, in a neat, showy dress, and had to apply both whip and spur to keep in sight of his mistress. She sometimes came to Marietta by water, in a light canoe, (the roads not being
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yet opened for wheel-carriages,) navigated by Moses, an- other of the colored servants, who was the principal water- man, and had charge of the boats for the transport of pas- sengers from the island to the main. Her shopping visits were made in this way, as she directed the purchase of gro- ceries, &c., for the family use, as well as for the clothing. She possessed great personal activity ; sometimes in fine weather, choosing to walk that distance, instead of riding. In addition to her feats in riding and walking, she could vault, with the ease of a young fawn, over a five-rail fence, with the mere aid of one hand placed on the top rail, and was often seen to do so, when walking over the farm, and a fence came in the way of her progress. It was performed with such graceful movement, and so little effort, as to call forth the wonder and admiration of the beholder.
She was passionately fond of dancing, and greatly ex- celled in this healthful and charming exercise, moving through the mazes and intricacies of the various figures, with the grace and lightness of the "queen of the fairies." Her tastes in this respect were often gratified in the numer- ous balls and assemblies, given at that day in Marietta and Belpre, as well as at her own house; where the lofty hall frequently resounded to the cheerful music and lively steps of the dancers.
With all this relish for social amusements, Mrs. Blenner- hassett was very domestic in her habits ; being not only ac- complished in all the arts of housewifery, but was also an excellent seamstress ; cutting out and making up with her own hands much of the clothing of her husband, as well as preparing that for the servants, which was then made by a colored female. At that period, when tailors and mantua- makers were rare in the western wilderness, this was an accomplishment of real value. She being willing to prac- tice these servile acts, when surrounded by all the wealth
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she could desire, is one of the finest and most remarkable traits in her character; indicating a noble mind, elevated above the influence of that false pride so often seen to at- tend the high-born and wealthy.
She was a very early riser; and when not prevented by in- disposition, visited the kitchen by early dawn, and often man- ipulated the pastry and cakes to be served up on the table for the day; when this service was completed, she laid aside her working dress, and attired herself in the habiliments of the lady of the mansion. At table she presided with grace and dignity, and by her cheerful conversation and pleasant address, set every one at ease about her, however rustic their manners, or unaccustomed they might be to genteel society.
Her mind was as highly cultivated as her person. She was an accomplished Italian and French scholar; and one of the finest readers imaginable ; especially excelling in the plays of Shakespeare, which she rehearsed with all the taste and spirit of a first-rate actor. In history and the English classics, she was equally well read; and was often called upon to decide a disputed point in literature, under discus- sion by her husband and some learned guest. Her deci- sions were generally satisfactory to both parties, because founded on correct reasoning, and delivered in so gracious a manner. Few women have ever lived, who combined so many accomplishments and personal attractions. They strongly impressed, not only intellectual and cultivated minds, who could appreciate her merits, but also the unedu- cated and lower classes. One of the young men, a farmer's son, of Belpre, rented and cultivated a field of corn on the island, near the avenue leading from the house to the river, for the sole purpose of stealing a look at her beautiful per- son, as she passed by, on her way to ride or walk, as she was wont to do every pleasant day. Wirt's celebrated
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panegyric on this lady was in no way undeserved; although in appearance so much like romance.
Eight years had passed rapidly and happily away since they took possession of their island home. Two children, Harman and Dominic, had been added to their domestic blessings, whose lively prattle and cheerful smiles served to make life still more desirable.
Parties of the young people from Marietta, Belpre, and Wood county, with occasional visits from more distant re- gions, whom the far-famed beauty of this western Eden had called to see and admire, often assembled at their hospita- ble mansion. Social parties of the older and more sedate portions of the community, were invited to visit them, and spend several days and nights on the island; especially fe- males of the families where they visited themselves ; so that they were as abundantly provided with social intercourse, as if living on the main land. A large portion of their vis- itors came by water, in row-boats, or canoes; as the coun- try was so new, and destitute of bridges across the numerous creeks, that carriages were but little used. If travelers came by land, it was on horseback. A gentleman of taste, who visited the island in 1806, describes it as "a scene of enchantment, a western Paradise, where beauty, wealth, and happiness, had found a home." The wild condition' of the surrounding wilderness, and the rude log-cabins in which the inhabitants generally lived, by their striking con- trast, added greatly to the marvelous beauty of the im- provements on this remote island. Steamboats were then unknown, and traveling on the western rivers was slow and painful. Each man or family provided their own vessel; usually fitted for the temporary voyage in the rudest man- ner. A journey of one hundred miles was a long one ; more formidable than five hundred or a thousand at this day. The settlement of Belpre was the only one from
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Marietta to Cincinnati, that showed marks of civilization, in its well-built houses, nicely cultivated farms, and blooming orchards ; indicating an intelligent and refined population, who could appreciate the worth of their accomplished neigh- bors. A gentleman who once lived in Marietta, and was a great favorite in the family, from his many personal and mental attractions, says, "I was but a boy when they left the island, but I had been a favorite in the family for years, and had passed many of my happiest days in their society. My intimacy in the family of Blennerhassett, is like an oasis in the desert of life. It is one of those 'green spots in the memory's waste,' which death alone can obliterate; but the verdure of the recollection is destroyed by the knowl- edge of their ruin and misfortunes."
In an evil hour this peaceful and happy residence was entered by Aaron Burr, who, like Satan in the Eden of old, visited this earthly Paradise, only to deceive and destroy. "Like some lost, malignant spirit, going to and fro upon the earth, to harass and sneer at poor humanity ; was always so courteous, so polite and decorous; so interesting, nay, fascinating, when he strove to engage the attention, that it was impossible to resist his influence. It was the at- mosphere of his presence that poisoned all who came within its reach."
In the spring of the year 1805, this intriguing and artful man first visited the valley of the Ohio, his mind restless and uneasy, a disappointed, vexed man, whose hands were still red with the blood of the great and noble-minded Ham- ilton. No ordinary occupation could satisfy the mind of such a being; but some vast, difficult, and grand scheme of ambition must be sought out, on which he could employ his exuberant faculties. Filled with his future project of found- ing a vast empire in the provinces of Mexico, with a portion of the valley of the Mississippi, then, as he had ascertained,
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ripe for revolution, (but the plan chiefly confined, at that time, under a cloud of mystery, purporting to be a set- tlement of the lands he had bargained for on the Washita river.) "He descended the Ohio in a boat, landing as a passing traveler, merely to see and admire the far-famed improvements of the island. Mr. Blennerhassett, hearing that a stranger was on his lawn, sent a servant to invite him to the house. The wily serpent sent his card, with an apology ; but Mr. Blennerhassett, with his usual hospitality, walked out and insisted on his remaining a day or two. He, however, made a visit of only a few hours ; long enough to introduce the subject of a splendid land speculation on the Red river, and to allude to the prospect of a war of the United States with Spain, and the ease with which the Mexi- cans might, with a little aid, throw off the foreign yoke which had so long oppressed them. He then proceeded on his way.
A large portion of the following winter was spent by Mr. Blennerhassett and his lady, in Philadelphia and New York, on a visit to his old friend Emmitt, where, it is probable, he saw Burr again, and matured the plan for a participation in the purchase of Baron Bastrop's lands on the Washita, as he had addressed a letter to him on that subject before leav- ing home, in December, wishing to become a partner in any purchase he might make of western lands: also offering to aid in the Mexican enterprise, as was afterward ascertained in the trial at Richmond.
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