I have been at Bourdetts but have not received the I am going to morrow over to Staten Dr Husband Your Loving & Affectionate Wife Elizabeth Valleau" In the year 1767, Mrs. Valleau lost her life in an accident on the Delaware River. She had been visiting a sister, and on returning home by packet, a storm arose which upset the vessel. Instantly the cabin was filled with water, and the gangway blockaded with floating furniture, so that the prompt attempts to rescue the passengers proved of little avail. Cutting a hole in the quarter-deck offered the only hope of release, but while this was in progress all were drowned but two, one passenger, and the child, Mary Magdalene Valleau, then about eight years of age. The body of Mrs. Valleau was recovered. The loss of his wife under such circumstances threw a deep gloom over Peter Valleau for the rest of his life. The following is a copy of a letter* of condolence received by him at the time of his wife's death: "To Mr. Peter Valleau New York Aug. 8, 1767 Marcus Hook, Pa. [per favor of Capt. Ellis] Dear Brother We have received yours acquainting us of the death of Sister Valleau, a loss for which we both most sincerely condole with you and your dear family. You do not tell us whether your infant be living a circumstance we should have been glad to have been acquainted with-remember dear brother these are strokes of fortune we must submit to, they are the acts of God and the Dictate of Providence which consideration we hope may afford you comfort under so great a calamity our most affectionate regards to Polly and the family concludes us your loving brother and sister. John Bard After the death of her mother, Mary Magdalene became a member of the family of her uncle, Dr. John Bard, and some months after her arrival in New York, was taken seriously ill. Two letters† now given refer to this sickness, but do not state its exact nature: * Communicated by Mr. J. M. Bancroft, of Bloomfield, N. J. †The first letter was sent by Mr. Philip Bancroft Turpin, of Valdosta, Ga.; the second, by Mr. J. M. Bancroft. I. 2. Dear Peter. "New York April 18, 1768 I think Polly does not appear in so great danger this morning as she has been for some days past-tho' not yet free from considerable danger-her fever has been of the most dangerous kind-my wife sat up with her last night and thinks she past the night rather better than usual. I shall continue to acquaint you from time to time of her situation which I hope in God may be happy to us all I have now the pleasure to acquaint you that your little Polly, I think out of danger. Yesterday, her illness took a more favorable turn, after being brought to the brink of the grave. I have seldom known of more deadly symptoms. Mr.......family have been most tender of her. We have almost lived there night and day during her illness. Your serv t and brother Of the further history of Peter Valleau we have no knowledge, except that he came to Wilmington, Del., where he died in 1795, aged seventy-two years.* 1. Mary Magdalene Valleau Mary Magdalene, daughter of Peter Valleau and Elizabeth Cole, was born at East Whiteland, Great Valley, Chester County, Pa., April 28, 1759. She married Daniel Bancroft, M.D., September 8, 1776. They had five children, viz.: Elizabeth Maria, Harriet Carolina, Edward Augustus, Mary Ann, and Amelia Louise. Biography of Mrs. Bancroft:† Living under the personal care and supervision of Dr. and Mrs. Bard, Mary Magdalene was educated by them with great care, so that at maturity her character was patient, pious and self-reliant. She became the pride of this uncle and aunt. At the period of which we are now speaking she had just entered her eighteenth year, and was possessed of an elegant figure, a fascinating manner, and was endowed with great conversational powers, all of which caused her to be esteemed a beauty. Her uncle, Dr. Bard, had long been solicited by a sister of his wife, living in * Date of death from "A History of the Original Settlements on the Delaware," by Benjamin Ferris. †This Biography of Mrs. Bancroft has been chiefly extracted from "Reminiscences of Wilmington," by Elizabeth Montgomery, and to this has been added public and private information from other sources. Miss Montgomery belonged to an old Wilmington family, and early in life gathered much of the traditionary lore of her native town. She was the daughter of Captain Hugh Montgomery, who was the first officer to hoist the flag of the United States at sea, on the news of the Declaration of Independence, 1776. This incident took place at the Island of St. Thomas, W. I. The Reminiscences of Wilmington" is a work of marked interest and value, but is now out of print. The family legend of the Revolution, given by Miss Montgomery, is considered by Mrs. Bancroft's descendants to be correct. Elizabeth Montgomery died at Christ Church Hospital, Philadelphia, Pa., February, 1863, aged eighty-four years. Philadelphia, to allow their niece to make her a visit, and at last reluctantly consented. The War of the Revolution having just broken out, and the dangers many, the young lady was placed under the care of Brigadier-General Daniel Roberdeau, who saw her safely to her destination, then a two days' journey from New York. Upon arriving at her aunt's mansion, she was, for the first time, introduced to the gayeties and pleasures of fashionable society, and at once became an object of attraction. It was at this time that there was brought into her life a new acquaintance, one who will figure prominently in this narration. We refer to Daniel Bancroft, who was of English parentage,* and who was born at Westfield, Mass., November 2, 1746, but went to England in his early years, and was thus called an Englishman. He was endowed with superior intellect, highly cultivated. Choosing the medical profession for his vocation, he studied in a small town, near London, with a physician who was an eminent chemist. As the science of Chemistry was particularly attractive to him, he devoted his time to it, and aided by every facility, his arduous labor was rewarded by his pre-eminence in the study. His only brother, Edward, a distinguished physician in the royal household, was interested with him in a yellow dye that they had discovered in black oak bark, the quercitron of commerce, and they had been honored by a patent from King George the Third, giving them the exclusive right, for seven years, of importing this product into England. They were calculating on an immense revenue from this source, and Dr. Daniel Bancroft came to America to select a suitable place for their exports, arriving here at the commencement of the trouble with the mother country. The brother in London, who was to be the recipient, so warmly espoused the cause of the Colonies, that it betokened ruin to their schemes, and when hostilities began he deemed it prudent to retire to France, where he educated his children. Dr. Daniel Bancroft leaning to royalty, resolved to remain neutral and not express his views; but neutral ground was scarce, and not finding such a spot whereon to rest his foot, he cautiously formed an acquaintance in Philadelphia with others of similar views. Among these was the wealthy Mrs. Mary Magdalene Kearsley, at whose house he mingled with the elite, his intellectual powers and courteous manner making him a desirable addition to their society. Dr. Bancroft foresaw his own critical situation, and felt the propriety of retiring to some sequestered spot where he might remain unknown. Upon apologizing to this hospitable lady for his abrupt withdrawal from her delightful circle, she manifested great regret at his conclusion, for an interesting niece, Miss Vallois,† the daughter of her brother (Peter), was expected from New York to make her a visit. She had relied much on his gallantry to promote her niece's pleasure, and had intended to surprise him with an introduction. A brilliant reception was to crown her arrival, and surely he could wait a few days to be present. The request was too impressive to be resisted, and he complied. The Doctor's meeting with Mary Magdalene changed the course of events, and rendered his judicious plan of retirement not so easily accomplished as he had thought. Society had its charms for him, and the young lady was attracted by his personality, and, added to this, the aunt omitted nothing that would make a favorable impression upon either, although well aware that her niece's guardians would *The names of his parents have not been ascertained. His brother Edward, born 1744, married in London, and had five children, viz.: Samuel Forester, Edward, Catharine, Julia, and Their mother, after the death of her husband, married David Bull, by whom she had two daughters, viz.: Mary and Anna, both of whom died without issue. † Valleau. |