France's Joseph Bonaparte - New Jersey's colorful resident

After Waterloo, then what? 

When Napoleon Bonaparte was defeated at Waterloo, life for a Bonaparte became a little more treacherous. For Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon’s older brother, it became untenable. Bonaparte’s were banished in France since the Bourbons reclaimed the throne, and as King of Spain, Joseph abdicated the throne after the French were defeated at the Battle of Vitoria in 1813, and other European countries had place restrictions on the Bonapartes. Where was a Bonaparte to go? Well, why not Bordentown, New Jersey?

In 1816, Joseph Bonaparte, under the assumed name of Comte de Survilliers, arrived in America. After spending time in New York and Philadelphia, he became enamored with the picturesque landscape of New Jersey and set about acquiring a bluff along the confluence of the Delaware River and Crosswicks Creek, an area known locally as “Point Breeze” in the Bordentown area. It seemed a logical choice, being on major roads to New York along with easy river access to Philadelphia. “Point Breeze” was owned by Stephen Sayre, a noted Revolutionary War figure, who occupied the mansion on “Point Breeze” until the summer of 1816. After New Jersey passed a law allowing foreigners to own land, the title transfer was completed in 1818. Locally it was nicknamed “New Spain” and later “Bonaparte’s Park”.

Life of a French vivant.

Like most European “gentleman” of the day, Joseph had an entourage living with him: friends and confidants, along with his two daughters, Zenaide and Charlotte. Zenaide was married and lived with her husband and family in nearby Lake Villa. His wife Julie Clary, on doctor’s orders, remained in Brussels, so Charlotte became the lady of the house and a favorite of local visitors and dignitaries for her “merry temperament.” She did, however, rejoined her mother in 1824. Joseph remodeled the mansion to house his extensive collection of art and library the likes of which were not known in the United States at the time. Some said the contents were paid for with the crown jewels he had “taken” while King of Spain. The townspeople came to love Joseph not only for what he did for the local economy but also for his “open heartedness and generous hospitality.” Many townspeople helped rescue his art and books when, in 1820, the mansion burned to the ground. After the fire, Joseph rebuilt around the concrete stables which were closer to Trenton Road.

Once completed, it was the perfect country estate with extensive picturesque gardens. He opened his estate to the townspeople and delighted in “shocking” the local Quaker women with his art collection of scantily clad young women. His sometimes outlandish behavior became legendary. Joseph, with his wife in Europe, was known to have relations with one local woman, Annette Savage, and fathered at least one daughter.

He also had an encountered with the New Jersey Devil of the Pine Barrens folklore. While out hunting alone he came across tracks resembling those of a “two footed donkey”. He followed the tracks until they ended abruptly. Trying to comprehend the situation, he heard a hissing sound, turned and saw “a large winged creature with a horse-like head and bird-like legs”. Frozen with astonishment, they stared at each other for a while. Then the creature hissed again and flew off. He never saw the creature again.

Bonaparte's restless heart.

Although he seemed to enjoy his time in America, the changing environment in Europe held his attention. Notables such as, French Generals Bertrand Clauzel, Desmonettes, along with Marquis de Lafayette, Henry Clay, Daniel Webster and John Quincy Adams came to visit, bringing news of happenings in Europe. When Napoleon’s only son died in 1832, Joseph arranged to move to London in order to take the throne of France should the opportunity present itself. He returned to America only once more in 1837 “in order to settle his affairs”. In 1839, he rejoined his wife in Italy and died in 1844.

Joseph left “Point Breeze” to his grandson Joseph Lucien Charles Napoleon, son of Zenaide thinking it would remain in the family. But the grandson quickly sold it off piece by piece. Nothing remains of the mansion or the estate except in the records of local historical archives.