About Us  - History  - Hours of Operation Photo Gallery Events Calendar Education Programs Friends of JJH Contact Information Pearl Anniversary Ball Barn Dance / Country Fair Home	History .... 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 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 knows as the 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 this tract. 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 two young 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.