Blennerhassets Island.

Artist: Sketch by Lizzie Forbes ; Engraver: F.E. Jones
 

This is an old engraving of Blennerhassets Island in the Ohio River, published in an American literary and art journal in 1859. It is in excellent condition and shows a rare and very detailed view of the island as seen from the Ohio side of the river, a young couple in the foreground, the vegetation and plantation on the island, and the town of Parkersburg, West Virginia. in the background.

Image Size: approx. 4.50 by 7.75 inches ; Overall Size : 9.75 by 6.25 inches.

Price $55  Item #2326

The island has an interesting history of intrigue, scandal, and a search for new beginnings in the New World. Harman Blennerhassett was born in 1767 of Irish parentage, in Hampshire, England, as his mother was there on a visit. Harman studied law at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, and was admitted to practice in 1790. In 1796,hisfather died and he inherited a fortune of $100.000. He then married his sister's daughter Margaret Agnew. According to some historians, in 1797, the Blennerhassets were forced to flee Ireland because of their scandalous marriage, and they came to America. They were received among the wealthy class of Americans, and traveled to Marietta where they spent the winter looking for a property to buy. That spring the Blennerhassetts purchased the upper portion of an island located in the Ohio River just below present day Parkersburg, (West) Virginia. Blennerhassett's Island consisted of one hundred and seventy four acres then in the possession of Elijah Backus, and bought for the sum of $4,500.