USA > New York > Westchester County > A history of the county of Westchester, from its first settlement to the present time > Part 8
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Mary, uat. 31st hug _PeterVallette, ob. 1700, ob. 5th June, 1762 9th Dec. 1752
Frances, not. 26th Feb .__ Frederick van 1701 , mar 19th Jan.
Cortlandt, oh.
Ann, nat. 6th March, 1706, ob 24th Det.
1724 ; ob. 2d Aug. 1780.
1 4th Feb. 1750
1707
Augustus, not 15tb April, 17.40, 00 W3d Dec 1801,
Jodies, Dat 27th April, 1:34, . b 16th Det. 1751, 8. p.
Bir Jamet, Knight, put 27th Oct 1732. ob. 20th Oct. 1815 Bu. Tied of Hyc
14th Oct
inck, mit-
May, 1744, ob. Ju- ly 5, 1741
Hor John Joy,-Sarah da of Hon. Frederick=1 Margaret, da of An- p 14 Occ. tober, 1791 of Bedford, nat 12th Drc. 1745 ; m. 28th Ap 1774 ; + b. Win. Livingston, nat 19 Ap drew Burelny, m 7 17 May, 1820. Governor ot N.J. 1747, ob s. Bept 1773, ob. 28 Oc- nal. Aug 1755, 1700 ob at BedEnrd, 28th May, 1802 Bur'd at Rye
2. Euphemis Duns- cumb. nb 26th Fu- bruary, 1817
1
Peter Augustus Jay_Mary Botherfurd, nf Rye Neck, nat. da of Gen Mal- thew Clark:on 24th Jan 1777. 0b. 20th Feb. 1843
Susan, nit. at Madrid, 9th July, 1780, ob 1st Aug. 1780, Interred In the vault of the Fleraich Chapel, at Madrid
Maria, mar 22d Apr.l,=Goldsborough Banyor, Esq. ob June, 1806. Buried at 1801, hat at Madrid, Feb. 20, 1782
Ann, nat at Passy, near Paris, Aug. 13,1783
Hon. William Jay, of=Augusta MeVic- Bedford kar
Sarah Loulra, nat. N Y. 20th Feb. 1792, ob. 900 Ap. 1818
John Clarkson_ Laura Peter Augustine= Jay, M D of Prone, Josephine Pear- Rye Neck
Mary _Frederick Barnb __ Wm Daw. Priule
Catharine _Henry Au. Elmauor
Busan Malil- da
John Jay, Esq = Eleanor K. Field, or N. Y.
Sarah Louis
Marla-John Butterworth
Anna_Rev Lewis P.W Bolch, Ree- tor of St Bartholomew's Church, New York
do nf 100 Nath'I
-
William
- John. ob. young.
Ello
Auguela
Mary
1 Laura
John, ob PIO.
Augue- Peter tue, ob Augustus
John Clurk-on
Mary
Cornella Anna Maria Alice
I Sarah
ry Pierrepont
-Anne Marit=Hen-
-Elizabeth Clarkson
1
da af Hickson, W Pield
I
1
Peter, nat-Mary Duyrk- Freslerick, nat 10th
Eve, nat. 9_Rev. Harty Mun- of St. Johns Ch. Nov 1728, to, M A Rector ob Ap. 7, 1810 Philipsborough.
Anna Maria. not. 20th Oct 1737, oh 4th Sept. 1791
Mary, nat Nov 10,1744, mb. 18Lb
1734, ob.
nel 178>
May, 1752
8th July, 1813
gustus Du- burs
ob May, 1752 - mar. 0th April, 1735
1
81
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
John Budd, proprietor of Budd's neck, by his last will dated the 13th of October, 1669, bequeathed to his son John, all his part of the Mill on Blind brook, and to his son Joseph, the Epawquammis lands. Joseph Budd was the first patentee of Budd's or Rye neck, under the crown, in 1720.ª From the Budds, the neck went by purchase, into the families of the Purdys, Gedneys, Gui- ons and Jays, &c. The property of the latter family, covers a large proportion of the old patent.
We have previously shown, that John Budd released this por- tion of his patrimonial estate, including Pine Island, Marees neck and Hen Island, to Peter Jay, A. D. 1745.
The Jay family who have been seated here for four genera- tions, are of French origin, and descendants of Pierre Jay, Ecuyer, a wealthy merchant of La Rochelle, in 1684. Pierre Jay is presumed to have been of the house of Le Jay, of Poitou. There was also an ancient French family in Paris of the name of Le Jay, which formerly distinguished itself in the civil department of the state, many of whom bore the same christian name, as many of the Jays have since done, amongst whom is found, a John le Jay in the early part of the sixteenth century ; a Nicolas le Jay, Baron de Tilley de la Maison Rouge, et de St. Fargeau, Seigneur de Villiers, was first Presi- dent to the Parliament of Paris, in 1636. This individual was the son of Nicolas le Jay, styled "correcteur des Comptes à Paris.27b
Of Pierre Jay, Mr. Renwick in his life of John Jay, remarks :
a In the town records of Westchester, occurs the following entry : " Baptised by Mr. John Bartow, rector of Westchester parish, in the parish church in the town aforesaid, the eighth of August, 1703, Sarah Budd, the wife of Joseph Budd of Rye, in the county of Westchester, and their son Joseph Budd, aged eleven months, also.
৳ Hist. Généalogique et Chronologique par le P. Anselme, 1731, vol. ix. 304. The arms borne by Nicolas le Jay, were " D'azur au chevron d'or, accompagné en chef de deux étoiles de même en point, d'un mouton passant d'argent. The arms of Pierre le Jay the Huguenot, closely resemble the former, viz. : " d'azur au chev- ron d'or, en chef demi soleil splendant, entre deux étoiles de même en point, a roc propre surmonté par oiseaux. Crest, deux cœurs unis.
VOL. 11.
11
S2
HISTORY OF THE
"he was a native of France, and resided in the city of La Ro- chelle, his business was that of a merchant, and from collateral facts, we have reason to believe that he was both wealthy and enterprising. Like many of the most industrious and most re- spectable inhabitants in that part of the country, he was a Pro- testant, and doomed as we shall see, to undergo much trouble and persecution on account of his religion. He seems to have had a sort of presentiment, probably derived from the grow- ing disfavor of the Protestants in the sight of the government, that it would at some time or other, be necessary for him to sac- rifice both country and property, on account of his religion. On this account, he determined to send one of his sons to England to acquire a knowledge of that language, and be educated there. His eldest son was the one chosen for this purpose, but he unfortu- nately died on the voyage. With great promptness, the father sent his second son, Augustus, who was then barely twelve years old, to take his place. This happened A. D. 1677. The troub- les and persecutions which Mr. Jay seemed to have foreseen, and which preceded the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, now com- menced, and in January, 1685, the Protestant church at Ro- chelle was pulled down, pursuant to a decree passed at that time. Finding that the Protestants still continued the exercise of their religion, and were not to be forced to change it by any ordinary means, a regiment of dragoons was despatched to that portion of the country, and quartered upon the Protestant inhabitants. We have full evidence that these armed missionaries had free license to make their hosts as uncomfortable as possible, and were encouraged to practice upon them those insults so casily perpe- trated by unrestrained and licentious soldiery.
We can easily imagine what must have been the situation of a pious family, and what the feelings of a husband and a father under such circumstances. Mr. Jay determined that those near- est and dearest to him should no longer be exposed to insult and contamination ; and, finding a safe opportunity, he secretly sent his family, together with several articles of value, on board a vessel bound for England. This vessel arrived in safety. The departure of his family did not long remain undiscovered ; and
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
causing suspicion of his own intention, he was arrested and thrown into prison. From thence by the intervention of some worthy Catholic friends he was rescued; when foreseeing that France was no longer a residence for him, he determined to leave it for ever. But first it was necessary to raise funds for the sup- port of himself and family in a strange land ; this he dared not do by turning any of his French property into money lest his motives should be surmised, and a second arrest should follow. At this time, several of his ships were expected to arrive. He gave secret orders to one of the pilots of the port, to bring the first of his ships that should arrive, to anchor at some dis- tance, and not come up to the town. The first of his vessels that made its appearance was from a Spanish port, laded chiefly with iron ; and fortunately, both for his honor and his future means of living, both ship and cargo belonged entirely to him- self. The pilot faithful to his instructions, anchored the vessel - in the place determined on. With his assistance, Mr. Jay em- barked and sailed immediately for England. He arrived in safety, and happy must have been the meeting between him and his family. They were now out of danger, free from persecu- tion, and in the enjoyment of their chosen religion ; and, although their means were not so great as formerly, yet they still had a sufficiency.
On his escape from France being made public, all his pro- perty was confiscated, and never was returned so as to be of any use either to him or to his children. But one thing marred their happiness, this was their uncertainty as to what would be the fate of their second, now their eldest son, who was at that time probably in Africa, on commercial business of his father's. This son, Augustus, the grandfather of John Jay, returned (not knowing of his parent's escape) to Rochelle. Thence, facilitated by the kindness of his friends, he managed to procure a passage to Charleston, S. C .; for he also, like his parents, was resolute in sacrificing everything for his religion. From Charleston, driven by a climate unhealthy even to natives, and doubly so to for- eigners, he travelled to Philadelphia ; but, finding in that city, then an infant state, no field for the exercise of commerce, to which business he had been brought up, he made his way to
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HISTORY OF THE
New York. Here he not only found occupation, but friends, driven like himself, by persecution, to carry the arts and industry of France to other shores. Here also he found churches built and attended by French refugees, and a service performed in his own language. Finding that his success in life must wholly depend upon his own exertions, he applied himself with diligence and skill to business, and followed for many years the calling of a supercargo. During this time he both heard from his parents and made them acquainted with his welfare.a
Leaving his fortunes for a while, we turn to those of his young- er brother, Isaac. At this time the war between William of Orange, and James II, of England was in progress, and a regi- ment of French refugees was enrolled by the former to assist in driving from Ireland his catholic competitor for the throne. Into this regiment Isaac entered, impelled by the ardor of youth, and no doubt not a little by the recollection of the many insults and in- juries he and his family had received at the hands of those who professed the Romish religion. Hle sealed his conviction of the justice of his own cause with his blood, and died not long after the battle of the Boyne, from the effects of wounds received in that engagement.
In the year 1692, Augustus, while pursuing his commercial avocations, started on a voyage from New York to Hamburg ; on the passage the vessel was captured by a French privateer, and carried into St. Maloes. He, with other prisoners was confined, not very closely as it appears by subsequent events, in a fortress about 15 miles from that place. While there, news arrived of the battle of La Hogue, and the prisoners were ordered into closer confinement. They in some way received news of this order, and determined before it was put in force to effect their escape. Accordingly, on the evening that was to precede their imprison . ment, Augustus and some of his companions succeeded in scaling
« On the 4th of March, 1686, letters of denization were granted to Augustus Jay. Upon the 29th of Sept. 1698, King William the third by his royal letters patent, granted to Augustus Jay, "all the rights and privileges of a native born English subject." Augustus Jay was admitted to the freedom of the city of New York, by the mayor and Aldermen, on the 27th January, 1700. From the ori- ginal documents in possession of the Hon. William Jay.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
the wall and dropping into the ditch. Whether his friends were stunned by the fall, or recaptured, he had no means of ascertain ing. He himself, however, got out of the ditch, took the road and arrived at Rochelle. Here he was secreted and protected by his aunt, until she found means to send him to the isle of Aux Rhé, whence he got passage to Denmark. On his way home he passed through Holland, performed his business there, and then crossed over to England, where he saw his father and sister for the first time since their separation so many years before. There was one drawback to their joy, one cause of grief; the mother who had gone through so many trials with them, was no more. The calls of business soon separated this happy party, and Au- gustus took a last farewell, and returned to his business in Ame - rica.
A few years after his return he married Anna Maria, daughter of Mr. Balthazar Bayard. She like himself, was descended from a family who had suffered from religious persecution. Her great grandfather was a Frenchman, a Protestant professor of theology, in one of the colleges at Paris, who was forced either to give up his religion or leave his country, during the reign of Louis XIII. He chose the latter alternative, and fled to Holland, whence his grandson emigrated to this country.
By this marriage, Augustus Jay found himself surrounded by a numerous and influential Dutch connection. In the colony of New York, the descendants of the Dutch were the most numer- ous class of the population, and they were remarkable for the lib - eral manner in which they befriended and assisted their country- men, or those connected with them.
Soon after his marriage, finding himself in comfortable and re- spectable circumstances, Mr. Jay sent out for his father and sis- ter ; but the father felt that his declining years would not per- mit such a voyage, and the sister would on no account leave him. Augustus Jay went on for many years increasing his wealth and influence ; and, after having had three children, all of whom were daughters, he was at last made happy by the birth of a son in the year 1704. This son, the father of John Jay, he named Peter. No other children were born, and Peter therefore, at his father's death, which did not take place until he had reached the age of 84, found himself sole bearer of the name of Jay.
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HISTORY OF THE
Peter Jay, like his father and grand-father, was a merchant and followed his business with such success, that at the age of forty he was able to retire and live on the proceeds of his in- dustry. At the age of twenty-four he married Mary van Cort- landt. This lady was the daughter of Jacobus van Cortlandt of the Lower Yonkers, by his wife Eva Philipse, daughter of the Hon. Frederick Philipse, lord of the manor of Philipsburgh. Through this lady the Jays subsequently became possessed of the Bedford estates.
Peter Jay, Esq., by his wife Mary van Cortlandt had ten chil- dren.
Their eighth child John Jay was born on the 12th of Decem- ber, 1745, the same year that his father purchased the Rye es- tate.a At the age of eight years, John Jay was sent to a gram- mar school at New Rochelle; his instructor being the Rev. Pierre Stouppe, minister of the French Episcopal Church. " Here he continued for three years, and was then placed by his father under the care of a private tutor, who prepared him for college. The one selected was King's, now Columbia College, an insti- tution that boasts of many celebrated men among its alumni."
" In his fourth collegiate year he decided upon the law as his future profession.a At the commencement held at St. George's Chapel, May, 1764, General Gage and his Majesty's council, &c., being present, Richard Harrison seventeen years of age deliver- ed the salutatory oration ; John Jay, a dissertation on the bless- ings of peace." Upon this occasion he received his degree of bachelor of arts.
The annexed sketch of Mr. Jay's subsequent life is from Blake's Biographical Dictionary.
" John Jay, L. L. D., first chief justice of the United States un- der the constitution of 1789, graduated at King's (now Colum- bia) College, A. D. 1764, and in 1768 was admitted to the bar. He was appointed to the first American Congress in 1774. Be. ing on the committee with Lee and Livingston to draft an ad-
Here John Jay spent his boyhood.
b Compiled and abridged from the life of John Jay by Henry B. Renwick.
COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
dress to the people of Great Britain, he was the writer of that eloquent production. In the congress of 1775, he was on vari- ons important committees, performing more service perhaps than any other member except Franklin and John Adams. In May, 1776, he was recalled to assist in framing the government of New York, and in consequence his name is not attached to the Declaration of Independence ; but July 9th, he reported resolu- tions in the provincial convention in favor of the declaration. After the fall of New York, and the removal of the Provincial Assembly to Poughkeepsie, Mr. Jay retained his resolute patrio- tisn. The very eloquent address of the convention to the peo- ple of New York, dated Fishkill, December 23, 1776, and sign- ed by A. Ten Broeck, as president, was written by him. March 12, 1777, he reported to the convention of New York the draft of a form of government, which was adopted, and many of the provisions of which were introduced into the constitution of other states. From May 3, 1777, to August 18, 1779, he was chief justice of the state, but resigned that office in consequence of his duties as president of congress. The glowing address of that body to their constituents, dated September 8, 1779, was prepared by him. On the 29th of September, he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to the court of Spain. He was one of the commissioners to negotiate peace with Great Britain, and signed the definitive treaty of peace at Paris, September 3, 1783. He returned to America in 1784. Congress had previously ap- pointed him secretary of state for foreign affairs. In the diffi- cult circumstances of the country, the secretary was in effect the head of the government. Mr. Jay's services were of great impor- tance. He drew up, October 13, 1776, an elaborate report on the relations between the United States and Great Britain. Though not a member of the convention which formed the con- stitution of the United States, he was present at Annapolis, and aided by his advice. He also assisted Madison and Hamilton in writing the Federalist. In the convention of New York, he con- tributed to the adoption of the constitution. He was appointed chief justice by Washington, September 26, 1789. In 1794 he was appointed minister plenipotentiary to Great Britain and suc- ceeded in negotiating the treaty which still goes by his name.
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HISTORY OF THE
He was governor of the state of New York from 1795 to 1801. The remainder of his life he passed in retirement at Bedford, in this county. He died 17th May, 1829. His remains are de- posited in the family burying ground.
By his wife, Sarah Vanburgh, daughter of the Hon. William Livingston, Governor of New Jersey, he left issue two sons, viz, the late Hon. Peter Augustus Jay, member of the State Assembly in 1813, recorder of New York in 1819, and delegate to the con- vention which framed the late constitution of the state of New York ; and the Hon. William Jay of Bedford, for several years a judge of the late court of common pleas in this county ; be- sides four daughters.
The family residence is situated near the post road leading to Rye at no great distance from the river. The building is a hand- some structure of wood, presenting a lofty portico on the north. The south front commands a beautiful lawn, and charming views of the Sound and Long Island. Some highly interesting family portraits adorn the walls of the hall and dining room ; amongst them are the following : Hon. John Jay, first chief jus- tice of the United States, and governor of the state of New York. Head by Stewart, figure by Trumbull. The Hon. John Jay sat to Colonel Trumbull (his secretary ) for this picture, whilst resi- dent ambassador at the court of St. James, London. The artist subsequently presented it to Mr. Jay.ª Augustus Jay, who emi- grated to this country in 1686, a copy from the original, by Wal- do ; Anna Maria Bayard, wife of Augustus Jay, by ditto ; Peter Augustus Jay, as a boy. artist unknown ; an old painting upon oak panel, supposed to represent Catharine, wife of the Hon. Stephen van Cortlandt of Cortlandt, South Holland. This lady appears habited in a plain black dress, wearing a high neck ruffle and in her right hand holds a clasped book. In one corner of the pic- ture is inscribed " ætat. 64, 1630."b
The library contains a large and valuable collection of shells
a This picture has been engraved for Herring's National Portrait Gallery. In the possession of Henry Munro, Esq., is another portrait of the Hon. John Jay by Stew- art, in his robes as chief justice of the United States.
b This picture was found in one of the old city residences of the Van Cortlandts.
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
amounting to between three or four thousand specimens. John C. Jay, M. D., has published several catalogues of the new and rare shells contained in his cabinet. a
Among other family relics we noticed the gold snuff box pre- sented by the corporation of New York, with the freedom of the city, to his Excellency John Jay, on the 4th of October, 1784. Also a French bible,b containing the following memoranda. Auguste Jay est né a la Rochelle dans le Royaume de France le 23 Mars, 1665. Laus Deo. N. York, July ye 10th, 1733, this day at 4 o'clock in ye morning dyed Eva van Cortlandt, was buried ye next day ye 12 en ye voute at Mr. Stuyvesant's about six and seven o'clock."
The situation of the Jay property is very fine, embracing some of the most graceful undulations of a hilly district, highly diver- sified with rocks, woods and river scenery. Contiguous to the southern portion of the estate, and bordering the Sound, is Ma- ree's neck, and the neighboring islands of Pine and Hen-hawk, the latter consisting of seventy seven acres. A curious pheno- menon, ealled Mirage, is frequently seen from these shores, when the land on the opposite coast of Long Island appears to rise above the waters of the Sound, while the intermediate portions seem to be sunk beneath the waves. This illusion is caused by a certain state of the atmosphere, depending chiefly upon its hu- midity and warmth which changes considerably its ordinary rc- fractive power. In days of ignorance and superstition such appearances occasionally excited a strange interest.
In an opening of the woods on the south east side of the man- sion, is the family cemetery.
a See " Catalogue of recent shells in the cabinet of John C. Jay," 8vo. New York, 1835. pp. 56. " Description of new and rare shells with four plates," 8vo. N. Y. 1836. 2d ed. pp. 78. " A catalogue of the shells arranged according to the Lamarckian system, together with descriptions of new and rare species contained in the collection of John C. Jay, M. D." 3d ed. 4to. New York, pp. 125, with ten plates. b The title runs thus, " La Sainte Bible qui contient le Vieux et le Nouveau Tes- tament, par David Martin, pasteur de l'Eglise Wallone d'Utrecht, Amsterdam, MDCCVII."
VOL. II.
12
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HISTORY OF THE
Here are interred the remains of the JAY FAMILY, which were removed from the family vault New York, the 28th of October, 1S07.
In memory of JOHN JAY, Eminent among those who asserted the liberty and established the Independence of his Country, which he long served in the most important offices, Legislative, executive, judicial and diplomatic, and distinguished in them all, by his ability, firmness, patriotism and integrity, he was in his life and in his death, an example of the virtues, the faith and the hopes of a Christian. Born Dec. 12th, 1745, Died May 17th, 1829.
In memory of
SIR JAMES JAY, KN'T.
born 27 October, 1732,
died 20 October, 1815.
PETER JAY MUNRO, who died 22 Sept. 1833, aged 66 years, 8 months and 12 days.
In memory of JUDITH relict of JOHN W. WATKINS, EsQ. and last surviving daughter of WILLIAM LIVINGSTON,
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COUNTY OF WESTCHESTER.
Governor of New Jersey, who departed this life July 7th, 1843, in the 83d year of her age. Anchored safe, the weary soul
Shall find eternal rest, Nor storms shall beat nor billows roll Across my peaceful breast.
Besides other appropriate memorials to Peter Jay, Peter Augus- tus Jay, Esq., Mary Rutherford Jay, Margaret Munro, Golds- borough Banyar, Eva Munro, Harriet van Cortlandt and Mary Jay, wife of Frederick Prime, Esq.
The adjoining territory upon the west, constitutes what is commonly called Guion's neck, a portion of which is still vested in William Henry Guion, son of the late Abraham Guion. This branch of the Guion family descend from Isaac Guion of New Ro- chelle, the son of Louis Guion who emigrated from England about 1687.ª The beautiful beaver streamb called by the In- dians, Pockeotessen, rises north of Guion neck, and forms its western boundary.
The Purdy estate is situated upon the eastern shore of Rye neck bordering the Blind brook, (Mockquams). A short distance from the house is the burial place of the Purdy family. Among other memorials is the following :
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