Theodosia Bartow BURR^{[1, 2]}

1783 - 1813  (29 years)

• Name	Theodosia Bartow BURR
  Birth	23 Jun 1783	Albany, New York   [3]
  Gender	Female
  HIST	died as a victim of a mysterious shipwreck THIS MONTH IN S.C. HISTORY Dec. 31, 1812, Theodosia Burr Alston is lost at sea Image courtesy of the Library of Congress Theodosia Burr Alston most likely died at sea on Jan. 2 or 3, 1813. Posted Thursday, December 9, 2021 6:00 am BY THE SOUTH CAROLINA HISTORICAL SOCIETY If you've seen the musical "Hamilton," you have heard the lovely ballad titled "Dear Theodosia" that Aaron Burr sings to his baby daughter. Theodosia was Burr's only child and received an outstanding education that was rarely provided to females in the 18th century. Like her mother, Theodosia Prevost, the younger Theodosia was extremely intelligent. In addition to speaking three languages, she read Greek and mastered subjects such as arithmetic, music and English composition. After losing her mother at 10 years old, Theodosia grew even closer to her father. At just 14, she served as hostess for the elaborate parties that her father held at his country estate, Richmond Hill, near New York City. Both charming and pretty, she had a great many suitors. In 1801, she married Joseph Alston, the son of a wealthy rice planting family from South Carolina's Georgetown District. The couple resided at The Oaks and had one son, Aaron Burr Alston. The birth was difficult for Theodosia and left her with multiple medical conditions. She struggled with illness for the remainder of her life. While she loved her husband and doted on her son, Theodosia missed New York and her father and frequently traveled north to visit him. She was with Aaron Burr when he was tried for the murder of Alexander Hamilton and later accompanied him to Ohio. In 1807, Burr was denounced as a traitor and tried for treason. He was once again acquitted but left the country with a ruined reputation. These ordeals weakened Theodosia's already poor health, and she returned to South Carolina. In 1812, Theodosia's 10-year-old son died of malaria. With her father still overseas, she sank into a deep depression. Burr returned late in the year and wanted Theodosia to visit him. By this time, the United States was at war with Great Britain, and her husband, Joseph, worried about her safety as she traveled. She insisted and Joseph, who was governor of South Carolina, sent a letter to the British Navy requesting safe passage. Burr sent Timothy Green, a physician and good friend, to accompany her on her journey. On Dec. 31, 1812, Theodosia, her maid and Dr. Green boarded a schooner named the Patriot at Georgetown. After two weeks, Burr and Alston began to suspect the worst. They knew that there had been a gale off Cape Hatteras around the first of January that had scattered the British fleet. As for the Patriot, the schooner, its passengers and crew were never seen again.  [2, 3]
  _UID	30E10E6AE0CF4529AE3A14BDB7F4E46351EF
  Death	2 or 3 Jan 1813	at sea off North Carolina   [2, 3]
  Person ID	I8945	Singleton and Related Families
  Last Modified	30 Dec 2021

  
  

  Father	Vice-President Aaron BURR,   b. 1756   d. 1836 (Age 80 years)
  Mother	Theodosia BARTOW   d. 1794
  _UID	5846A989F5344C7DBEF8CB906E85490E1D13
  _UID	5846A989F5344C7DBEF8CB906E85490E1D13
  Family ID	F3244	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  
  

  Family	Joseph ALSTON,   b. 1779   d. 10 Sep 1816, Georgetown, South Carolina (Age 37 years)
  Marriage	2 Feb 1801	Albany, New York   [3]
  _UID	3C7CDF9360C0461BB842241D3CC07FBE1FFF
  _UID	3C7CDF9360C0461BB842241D3CC07FBE1FFF
  Children	1. Aaron Burr ALLSTON,   b. Abt 1802   d. Jan 1812, Dubordieu Island, South Carolina (Age 10 years)
  Family ID	F3243	Group Sheet  |  Family Chart
  Last Modified	16 Aug 2003

  
  

• Sources

  [S64] simons gedcom - received by e-mail. [S29474] This Month In S.C. History - Dec 31, 1812, Theodosia Burr Alson is last at sea. [S2533] Helen Milliken, (Heritage Information Fund Press, PO Box 1984, Spartanburg, SC 29304).