Theodosia Burr Alston

Born: June 21, 1783 Died: December 2 or 3, 1813

Theodosia Burr Alston was born on June 21, 1783 in Albany, New York. She was the only child of Vice President Aarron Burr. Her mother died when she was only 10 years old. 

Many people thought she was charming, pretty, and intelligent. Theodosia Burr Alston had a very good education, which was extremely rare for girls in the 1700s. She was able to write in English, French, Latin, and Greek. She was also very good at both arithmetic and music. At just age 14 she served as hostess for her father’s elaborate parties.

In 1801 Theodosia married a slave owner who had inherited a rice plantain named Joseph Alston. She moved to South Carolina to live with him but still traveled frequently to New York to see her father. She was even with him when he was tried for Alexander Hamilton’s murder. Theodosia had one son named Aaron Burr Alston. His birth led to Theodosia having several different medical conditions. Sadly, he died at age 10 of malaria, causing her to sink into deep depression. 

In the end, Theodosia Burr Alston disappeared on a ship out at sea in December of 1812. She most likely died on January 2 or 3 of 1813 (age 29), however, the date is unknown.