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Aaron Burr Wife - A Look Into His Marriages And Family Life

Aaron Burr and His Wife Theodosia Bartow Stock Photo - Alamy

Jul 15, 2025
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Aaron Burr and His Wife Theodosia Bartow Stock Photo - Alamy

Aaron Burr's life story is often remembered for a dramatic duel, but a fuller picture includes his personal relationships, especially those with the women who shared his life and bore his children. These connections, too, it's almost, shaped his path in ways that are perhaps less widely discussed than his political struggles or his famous confrontation.

His personal world, you know, was quite complex, marked by both deep affection and later, by considerable strife. We will be exploring the lives of his wives and other significant women, giving a clearer picture of the people who stood by him, or sometimes, against him.

This piece will shed light on the women connected to Aaron Burr, moving beyond the well-known events to uncover the stories of his first wife, his later spouse, and his beloved daughter. We will, in some respects, look at their contributions and the ways their lives intertwined with his.

Table of Contents

Aaron Burr - A Life Remembered Beyond the Duel

Aaron Burr, born in 1756 in Newark, New Jersey, came from a rather prominent family, as a matter of fact. He was the son of Aaron Burr, Senior, who served as the second president of Princeton, and he was the grandson of Jonathan Edwards, a widely respected figure. He completed his college studies at the age of sixteen from the College of New Jersey, initially focusing on theology. However, he later decided to change his direction, choosing to study law instead. Burr's military service began around 1775, when he volunteered to join the cause, and he took part in Benedict Arnold's march, which was quite an experience for him.

Aaron Burr's Personal Details

Born1756, Newark, New Jersey
ParentsAaron Burr, Sr., and Esther Edwards
GrandfatherJonathan Edwards
EducationCollege of New Jersey (Princeton), studied theology, later law
Military Service BeganAround 1775
First MarriageTheodosia Bartow Prevost (1782)
Second MarriageEliza Jumel (1833)

Who Was Aaron Burr's First Wife, Theodosia Bartow Prevost?

Theodosia Bartow Prevost Burr was Aaron Burr's first wife, a woman of notable intelligence and a quick wit, which many people admired. She was, you know, even considered a trusted advisor to her husband, a testament to her sharp mind. Her letters to Aaron Burr, for instance, show a remarkable ability to discuss deep philosophical matters, as well as affairs of the heart, painting a picture of a thoughtful and feeling individual. Sadly, her letters to other family members do not seem to have been kept over time.

She was married to Aaron Burr in 1781, following the passing of her first husband during the Revolutionary War. Theodosia Prevost, as she was known before her second marriage, was already a woman of considerable wealth and influence. She was a gracious hostess, often welcoming many important people to her home, called The Hermitage, located in New Jersey. This suggests she had a certain presence and ability to connect with others, very much a social figure in her own right.

What Was Theodosia Prevost's Background Like?

Theodosia Prevost, the woman who would become Aaron Burr's wife, was born into circumstances of poverty, which might surprise some people given her later standing. However, a fortunate marriage to a successful merchant allowed her to gain considerable financial security. This union made her one of the richest women in New York by the time she passed away, a significant change in her fortunes. Her life story, in a way, shows a remarkable rise from humble beginnings to a position of considerable means and social standing.

Before her marriage to Aaron Burr, she was the wife of James Prevost, or Jacques, as some sources refer to him. He held the rank of a major in the British 60th regiment. While her husband was away in Georgia, she formed a connection with Aaron Burr. James Prevost, her first husband, passed away sometime around the conclusion of the Revolutionary War, which then paved the way for her marriage to Burr. This part of her story, you know, adds a layer of complexity to her life before she became Aaron Burr's wife.

How Did Aaron Burr's First Marriage Begin - Aaron Burr Wife

Aaron Burr married Theodosia Prevost, who was a widow and ten years his senior, in 1782 when he was twenty-four years old. He also took in her five children, showing a readiness to embrace a ready-made family. Their relationship, it is said, had quite a controversial beginning, which suggests a certain boldness on their part. Their first child together, also named Theodosia, was born in 1783. She would grow up to be, as many accounts suggest, the absolute favorite person in her father's life, the apple of his eye, so to speak.

Sadly, their family experienced a great deal of sorrow. Two boys were stillborn, and a daughter named Sally Burr passed away at the tender age of three. For a period of four years, his wife Theodosia suffered from ongoing pain and poor health. In 1794, she passed away at the age of forty-eight due to stomach cancer, leaving Aaron Burr to face a significant loss. This period, very much, must have been a difficult one for him and his surviving child.

Theodosia Burr - The Daughter of Aaron Burr's Wife

Theodosia Burr, the only surviving child of Aaron Burr and his first wife, Theodosia Bartow Prevost Burr, was born in July 1783. She was christened at the Albany Dutch Church later that month, on July 28th. Her mother's passing in May 1794 marked the end of her parents' marriage, leaving young Theodosia to be raised by her devoted father. She grew up in New York City, and especially after her mother's death, she became the center of her father's world. Her dramatic life and the mysterious circumstances of her passing remain a subject of much discussion, as the fate of Aaron Burr's daughter is still a point of debate for many.

After Aaron Burr faced exile, Theodosia Burr Alston, as she was known after her marriage, worked tirelessly to bring him back home. She even wrote to Dolley Madison, who was the wife of President James Madison, seeking assistance regarding her father's difficult situation. This shows her deep loyalty and affection for her father, as she went to great lengths to support him during a challenging time. Her efforts, you know, truly highlight the strong bond they shared.

Who Was Eliza Jumel - Aaron Burr's Later Wife?

Eliza Jumel became Aaron Burr's second wife, marrying him in 1833. Her past included being a former prostitute and a mistress, and some accounts suggest her primary motivation for this marriage was to gain his money and social standing. Their union was short-lived, as she divorced him in 1836. Eliza Jumel lived until 1865, and upon her passing, she left the majority of her estate to charitable causes, which is an interesting detail about her later life. This marriage, in some respects, presents a different kind of relationship compared to his first.

It is worth noting that her divorce from Aaron Burr was finalized on the very day of his passing. This particular detail adds a rather dramatic element to the end of his life, as it means he was technically divorced at the moment of his death. Her story, you know, is quite distinct from that of his first wife, highlighting the varied connections he made throughout his long life.

Other Connections - More About Aaron Burr's Wives and Family

Beyond his two formal marriages, there are other figures connected to Aaron Burr's personal life that are worth mentioning, providing a fuller picture of his relationships. For instance, the story of Mary Emmons, a woman whose place in Aaron Burr's life and heart has been brought to light through careful historical research and creative storytelling. A bestselling author has, basically, woven together facts and fiction to tell Mary Emmons's story, inspired by events and a woman who had been largely overlooked by history. This suggests there were deeper, less public connections that influenced him.

There was also a Bengali woman born in Calcutta, India, known as Eugénie Beauharnais, who worked as a servant in the household of Theodosia Bartow Prevost, Aaron Burr's first wife. While working in the household, she had a relationship with Aaron Burr, by whom she had two children, including a daughter named Louisa Charlotte. This connection, you know, reveals another facet of Burr's personal life and the diverse people who were part of his family circle, even if not through formal marriage.

The Fate of Aaron Burr's Wives and Loved Ones

Aaron Burr experienced a great deal of personal loss during his lifetime, which undoubtedly shaped his later years. His first wife, Theodosia Bartow Prevost Burr, passed away from stomach cancer after years of enduring pain and poor health, a very sad end for her. His only surviving child with Theodosia, his beloved daughter also named Theodosia, and his grandson, all passed away before him, leaving him to face the world alone in his old age. This must have been an incredibly heavy burden for him to carry.

Furthermore, many of his important papers, which could have provided much insight into his life and thoughts, were lost in the shipwreck that claimed his daughter's life. This loss of both family and personal records means that much of his story, and that of his wives and family, has been harder to piece together fully. In contrast, his rival, Alexander Hamilton, left behind thirty-three volumes of his writings, providing a clearer historical record. The quest to find the missing resting place of Aaron Burr's cherished first wife, Theodosia Bartow Prevost Burr, continues to this day, a testament to her lasting impact and the enduring interest in her story.

This article has explored the significant women in Aaron Burr's life, from his first wife, Theodosia Bartow Prevost, and their daughter, to his later marriage with Eliza Jumel, offering a more complete picture of his personal world.

Aaron Burr and His Wife Theodosia Bartow Stock Photo - Alamy
Aaron Burr and His Wife Theodosia Bartow Stock Photo - Alamy
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr
Aaron Burr: A History of the Revolutionary Figure in Westchester
Aaron Burr: A History of the Revolutionary Figure in Westchester

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