Aaron Burr on Saint Simons Island

 

Aaron Burr, colorized by Josh Dukes
from an engraving

This story originally appeared in the Aug 2022 issue of Discover Downtown Brunswick, published by The Brunswick News, Brunswick GA.  Written by Josh Dukes

On July 11th, 1804, Vice President Aaron Burr became a fugitive after his illegal dual with Alexander Hamilton. Killing Hamilton, Burr found it necessary to avoid public scrutiny by removing himself from Philadelphia and New York. He sought refuge with his friends on Saint Simons Island.

Burr was welcomed into the homes of Major Pierce Butler at Hampton Plantation (Butler’s Point) and Mr. John Couper at Cannon’s Point Plantation, both located on the north end and separated by Jones Creek. Several decades earlier in 1738, General James Oglethorpe had located soldiers and their families in this area to settle the bluffs and protect the area from surprise invasions from the Spanish.  After immigrating from Scotland to Georgia, John Couper built his home at Cannon’s Point in 1792.  Major Butler was born in Ireland and came to Georgia by way of South Carolina.  He acquired his land in 1790. Burr and Butler were well-acquainted after serving together in the United States Senate, and Hampton Plantation proved the perfect location for Burr’s hideaway.

Major Pierce Butler hosted Burr at
Hampton Plantation.
Colorized by Josh Dukes

Burr was close to his daughter Theodosia, who he wrote often during his stay.  In one letter he wrote, “The plantation affords plenty of milk, cream, and butter; turkeys, fowls, kids, pigs, geese and mutton; fish, of course, in abundance. Of figs, peaches, and melons there are yet a few. Oranges and pomegranates just begin to be eatable. The house affords Madeira wine, brandy, and porter. Yesterday, my neighbor, Mr. Couper, sent me an assortment of French wines… Madame Couper added sweetmeats and pickles. We have not a fly, mosquito, or bug. I can sit a whole evening with open windows and lighted candles without the least annoyance of insects; a circumstance which I have never beheld in any other place. I have not even seen a cockroach.”

Burr, 48, had been pursuing a relationship with Celeste, a youthful Philadelphia Belle, at the time of the dual and before he fled. Of the affair, Burr wrote to Theodosia, “If any male friend of yours should be dying of ennui, recommend to him to engage in a duel and a courtship at the same time.”

Two fishermen and four bargemen were always available to assist Burr, and he visited the neighboring islands, fished, shot birds, and “frightened crocodiles (alligators)”. He rode by carriage with young ladies at John Coupers’ place, for visits to more distant parts of the island. He also boated to Saint Marys on at least one occasion.

Cannons Point Plantation, painted circa 1860
by John Lord Couper

One notable incident during his visit was the unexpected arrival of a major hurricane.  On September 7, Burr was visiting Couper and his family at Cannon’s Point when the winds began to rise, making it too dangerous for him to return to Hampton. Between noon and 4:00 p.m. the next day, the storm was at its peak. Burr later reported to Theodosia, “The house… shook and rocked so much that Mr. Couper began to express his apprehensions for our safety. Before three, part of the piazza was carried away… The house was inundated with water, and presently one of the chimneys fell.” When the winds subsided, Burr insisted on being rowed back over Jones Creek by the slaves who had accompanied him. They reached the Hampton Plantation house just as the back eyewall struck, and the storm continued throughout the night.

Later in September, perhaps at least partly as a result of the rattling experience of the storm, Burr set out for his return north, where he completed his term as Vice President without prosecution.

Though Burr avoided punishment for killing Alexander Hamilton, his situation did not improve.  In 1807, Burr faced treason charges for conspiring to plan the secession of several western states. He fled to Europe, returning to New York after his acquittal. His professional and personal life remained in tatters until his death in 1836.

Today, visitors and residents of Saint Simons Island can identify the locations frequented by Aaron Burr and his hosts by the current roads leading to the respective areas on the north end of the island – one named Hampton Point Drive and the other Cannon’s Point Drive. 

-          Above facts compiled from glynncounty.com and from Dolores B. Colquitt's article in Flags of Five Nations. Black and white portraits of Aaron Burr and Pierce Butler colorized by Josh Dukes.