Marguerite Brazier facts for kids
Marguerite Brazier Bonneville (1767 – 1846) was a woman from Paris, France. She was married to the writer Nicholas Bonneville. She was also the mother of Benjamin Bonneville, who became a famous American explorer. Marguerite was a close friend of Thomas Paine, an important writer and revolutionary.
Life in France: A Revolutionary Time
Marguerite and her husband, Nicholas de Bonneville, were very involved in the French Revolution. Marguerite was especially inspired by Etta Palm d'Aelders, a Dutch woman who believed in equal rights for women.
Starting in 1797, Marguerite and Nicholas welcomed the famous writer and revolutionary Thomas Paine into their home. In 1802, her husband Nicholas was arrested. This happened because he compared Napoleon to Oliver Cromwell, another powerful leader. After this, Marguerite Bonneville traveled with Thomas Paine to America. She brought her three children with her: Louis, Benjamin, and Thomas. Benjamin would later become a significant American explorer. Thomas was Thomas Paine's godson.
With Paine in America: A New Home
Marguerite and Paine lived in New Rochelle, New York. Marguerite took care of Paine when he was sick. Paine also helped provide for her and made sure her sons received an education.
Thomas Paine passed away in 1809. In his will, he left Marguerite $1,500. He also left money to her husband Nicholas and to the Bonneville boys. The next year, Marguerite helped publish Paine's book, On the Origin of Free-Masonry.
After Paine's death, a writer named James Cheetham made some unfair comments about Marguerite. He suggested that her son Thomas looked like Paine. He also hinted at a secret relationship between Paine and Marguerite. Marguerite sued Cheetham for spreading false information. She won her case in court. A main witness for Cheetham even said he had never seen anything improper between Paine and Mrs. Bonneville.
Even though Marguerite won, the judge only awarded her $150. He praised Cheetham's book, saying it was written "in the cause of religion." During the trial, many important people, like the politician Thomas Addis Emmet, spoke about Marguerite's good character.
On March 13, 1813, Marguerite wrote to former president Thomas Jefferson. She asked for permission to publish letters between him and Thomas Paine. Marguerite wrote that she felt it was her duty to support Paine against those who treated him unfairly. However, Jefferson did not agree to her request.
Later Life: Preserving History
Moncure D. Conway, a writer and minister, wrote about Marguerite's life. He said that after Paine died, Marguerite published a part of his book, "Age of Reason." She may have removed some parts that were considered too critical of religion.
Conway also mentioned that Marguerite received all of Paine's personal papers. She began to edit his autobiography, which is a story of his own life. However, this book was never published.
According to Conway, Marguerite returned to America in 1833. She lived with her son, Benjamin Bonneville, the famous explorer. Conway thought that Marguerite and her son, who were both Catholic, might have hidden or destroyed some of Paine's writings. This could have been due to their religious beliefs. It might also have been to avoid more embarrassment after the earlier lawsuit.
Marguerite Bonneville passed away in her son Benjamin's home in St. Louis.
