When New Store Guarded Aaron Burr

Virginia Village Cherishes Tradition of Time
When It Played Host to Prisoner Conspirator

By Annie Page Cox

It was a warm, spring day the latter part of March in the year of our Lord, 1807.

The morning dawned on the peaceful little village as many another morning had dawned, but as we shall see, the sun would set on a far different scene. By high noon the country for miles around was all agog with excitement, for had not a messenger the evening before ridden post haste into the little village of New Store, in the county of Buckingham, State of Virginia, with the startling news that Aaron Burr had been captured? Not only had he been captured, but was being brought by guards from "the far South," Wakefield, Washington County, Alabama, where he was arrested and was being taken to Richmond to be tried.

Every one in this section, which was settled by well-to-do planters, knew the story of Aaron Burr the ex-vice-president. Every one knew of his past political life, and of his prominence, his duel with Hamilton, and, last of all, his "treason" and the search that was being made for him. And now, wonder of wonders, Aaron Burr, the stateman, the duelist, the strategist, the criminal--the hero was to pass this way. Never before in its history had so noted a character ridden on the stage-coach which carried the hundreds of passengers of every walk of life, travelling east and west between the town of Richmond on the east and the village of Liberty, via Lynchburg, on the west. The news winged its way to many a remote plantation by means of the loungers at the tavern, the patrons of the post office, the customers of the two stores, not to mention "the grapevine telegraph," as the plantation gossip of the Negro slaves in later years was called.

Sheriff Kyle Helps To Guard Prisoner

By reason of the recent heavy rains, the stage coach, heavily laden with human and other freight, perforce crept along at a snail's gait, and it was long past noon next day before its arrival at the village. The driver, anticipating this delay, had informed the guard of the noted prisoner that they would spend the night at New Store. The guards, in turn, had employed the messenger who brought the news that the guard desired constabulary reinforcement, in order that they might get a much-needed rest, having been on constant duty for many days. It was, of course, necessary that every precaution should be taken and no risk run; for the escape of such a prisoner as Burr would be a calamity and disgrace to any respectable constabulary.

A messenger was dispatched from the village immediately for a Mr. Kyle, the owner of the adjoining plantation, who was high sheriff at that time. As long as he lived, Mr. Kyle, a gentleman of the highest intelligence, culture and breeding himself, nourished in his heart the great privilege of having had to guard so notable a prisoner. Late in the afternoon, the stage coach arrived at the tavern and the passengers alighted. The crowd that had gathered was orderly and quiet, but curiosity was depicted on every face. With his usual nonchalance and grace, the weary traveller, seemingly oblivious of the presence of the crowd, passed into the hostelry accompanied by the guards. He had no baggage, and although he had been on the road from Alabama for about three weeks through rain and mud, he wore the same disguise he had worn at the time of his arrest. It was said, "His dress was the rude homespun of the country, but . . . his boots were far too elegantly shaped, and of materials much to fine, to accord with the coarse, ill-cut pantaloons from which they obtruded." His unkempt appearance and soiled habiliments, however, did not affect the elegance of his manner, for, unruffled and calm, as he had been all along the terrible journey (save in a single instance when he broke down and wept), he with his innate courtesy, invariably thanked those about him for every service rendered him. His very personality seemed to command courteous treatment by those with whom he came into contact. According to those who saw him, and his biographers, he possessed regular, handsome features and "black eyes that sparkled like diamonds."

That night at the little village he rested quietly and safely in the custody of Mr. Kyle, who conversed with him freely. Many times in after years he said that Burr was the most interesting and fascinating person he had ever met, and no doubt he was, for his biographers all agree that with all his conflicting good and bad qualities, he is one of the most remarkable characters in American history. The guards who accompanied him, like hundreds of others at that time who came into personal contact with him, were influenced by his dynamic personality, and had for him only words of praise; while in the minds of others, he is linked with Benedict Arnold. His star of destiny, or what you will, which arose to the zenith of power, brilliance and glory, for one cause or another, perhaps incidents of his own volition, gradually sank into the clouds of obscurity, leaving behind only an interrogation.

While talking with the guards that night, Mr. Kyle received much information which later he dispensed to the inhabitants of the county, but cherishing as he did this privilege, he was even more proud of a souvenir which one of the guards gave him before they parted. It was a small stone which the guard told him was a petrified pocketbook which was picked up on Blennerhassett Isle, the scene of his intrigue with Blennerhassett, the partner in the scheme for which he was to be tried. This momento is still in existence.

Powhatan Legend Tells of Hiring Baker

After leaving New Store, another bit of unrecorded history tells us that the next night was spent at Powhatan Courthouse. Here we go back to tradition for the story: Burr, it seems, as he neared his destination, Richmond, where he was tried by Chief Justice Marshall, became more and more sad and depressed, and while waiting at the crowded inn at Powhatan Courthouse, sat silent and dejected with bowed head. Still he was not oblivious of what was going on around him. In contrast to the usual politeness of the crowd and their attitude towards him, a lame young man who evidently considered himself a wit, passed backwards and forwards making uncomplimentary remarks about the prisoner. At this point, the story is a little obscure, for from somewhere there must have appeared a friend (or defense lawyer), for, according to tradition, Burr called to his friend--or lawyer--and asked, "Who is that young fellow?" The reply was, "He is a young lawyer and his name is Jack Baker." "Employ him for my counsel," said Burr. Astonished, the friend replied, "Surely you do not mean it. He has no reputation. He is only an obscure country-court lawyer." "But I do mean it," replied Burr, "I wish to rid myself of his bitter tongue."

This traditional story may not be true in every detail, it may have been after reaching Richmond that the incident occurred. At any rate, we are told by historians that in the trial which was conducted by Chief Justice Marshall and Judge Cyrus Griffin, and by which to the little city of Richmond (which then boasted 6,000 inhabitants) were drawn such eminent men as William Wirt, Alexander McRae, George Hay, Winfield Scott, Edmund Randolph, William Wickham, Washington Irving and many others, Jack Baker was there as one of Burr's counsel. One narrator uses these words: "There was also a certain Jack Baker, a lame man with a crutch, a merry fellow with plenty of "horse wit" and an infactious laugh, no speaker and no lawyer, but the best of good fellows . . . who appeared at a later period of the trial."

Whether Jack Baker was the talisman that brought him good luck--for we know he was acquitted--we will not say, but we know that Burr who travelled the rocky road of life, also once travelled our Old Stage Road and helped to make it famous.