During twenty-seven years of service to his state and nation, John
Jay looked forward to the day when he would retire with his wife and
family to "the house on my farm in Westchester County…." The land
his farm occupied was purchased from the Native American sachem,
Katonah, in 1703, by Jay's maternal grandfather, Jacobus Van Cortlandt.
1745
John Jay was born in 1745 to a family of self-exiled French
Huguenots. His father, Peter Jay, gained wealth as a merchant and
retired to a farm in Rye, New York, shortly after John was born.
Following formal education at King's College (today Columbia
University), Jay began a career as a lawyer. However, as the talk of
revolution grew, Jay became increasingly involved in public service.
He would never return to his law practice.
1774-1794
In 1774, Jay married Sarah Van Brugh Livingston (1756-1802), daughter of the
fiery patriot and first governor of the State of New Jersey, William
Livingston. This marriage was a match rivaled only by that of their
contemporaries John and Abigail Adams.
Of all the Founding Fathers, no other filled so many high offices.
John Jay served the nation as President of the Second Continental Congress,
Minister to Spain during the Revolution, and Secretary for Foreign
Affairs under the Articles of Confederation. He was author and key
negotiator, with Benjamin Franklin and John Adams, of the Treaty of
Paris, which ended the Revolution. President George Washington
appointed Jay first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme
Court.
In 1794, at Washington's bidding, Jay went to England as chief
negotiator and author of a treaty both men knew would be
controversial. Although unpopular in its day, the Jay Treaty
resolved a number of differences with Great Britain, delaying open
conflict until 1812. It is said this treaty cost Jay the chance to
succeed Washington as President. Despite this seeming loss of
national popularity, Jay was elected Governor of New York upon his
return home.
Jay also served the State of New York as principal author of the
first state constitution in 1777, as its chief justice, and as
governor. Jay's forceful writing style, coupled with the talents of
Alexander Hamilton and James Madison, produced a collection of
essays, now known as the Federalist Papers, which
helped convince the voters of New York to ratify the United States
Constitution.
1801-1829
By 1801, John had acquired, by inheritance and purchase, 750 acres
of land in Katonah.
During his second term as governor, Jay had renovations made to his
farmhouse in Westchester in preparation for his retirement from
public life. He was finally able to move to the house in 1801. Sarah died the
following spring, leaving Jay a widower with four children. Jay
never remarried. Living in the house until his death in 1829, he
quietly enjoyed his life as a country farmer. He was keenly
interested in agriculture, horticulture, his family, his church, and
the growing issue of slavery, which he abhorred.
The Jay Family
at Bedford after 1829
William (1789-1858), John's younger son, inherited the Homestead. He
continued his father's work in horticulture, as well as the
tradition of service to his fellow man. William became a figure of
national importance. Using the might of the pen, he furthered the
abolitionist cause. He married Augusta McVickar in 1812.
John Jay II (1817-1894), William's son, carried on the family
tradition of public service. A member of the Anti-Slavery Society,
founder of the Union League Club and the Huguenot Society of
America, he was also appointed Minister to the Court of
Austria-Hungary from 1869 to 1874. He married Eleanor Field in 1837.
William Jay II (1841-1915) was called "the Colonel," honoring his
rank as Lt. Colonel during the Civil War. In civilian life he was a
lawyer. He married Lucie Oelrichs in June 1878.
Eleanor Jay (1882-1953), the only surviving child of William and
Lucie, inherited the home and continued the family commitment to
community service. She married Arthur Iselin in 1904. She was the
last of the family to use the Homestead, which she and Arthur called
Bedford House, as a full-time residence. Her most distinctive
contribution to the site was architectural. In 1924 ground was
broken for a ballroom/portrait gallery, which more than doubled the
size of the house.
Arthur Iselin died in 1952 and Eleanor died the following year.
Westchester County subsequently purchased the house and thirty of
the original acres. In 1958 Governor Averill Harriman signed
legislation making the property a New York State Historic Site. In
1968 an additional 34 acres were acquired resulting in the current
configuration of 62 acres.
Colonial Doctor at History Camp
Colonial Musicians at the Homestead
July 4th at the Homestead
The House (in winter) as it looks today.
General LaFayette, boy in costume and George Washington at Patriot's Day.
Friends - P.O. Box 148, Katonah, NY 10536 - phone: 914.232.8119 - fax: 914.232.5974 - e-mail: friends@johnjayhomestead.org -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Site - P.O. Box 832 - 400 Jay Street, Katonah, NY 10536 - phone: 914.232.5651 - fax: 914.232.8085 - www.nysparks.com
