USA > New York > Westchester County > Westchester county in history; manual and civil list, past and present. County history: towns, hamlets, villages and cities, Volume III > Part 5
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34
Mr. Irving died November 28, 1859, aged 76 years, 7 months and 25 days.
(For biography of Washington Irving, see page 78, volume 1.)
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JOHN JAY was born in New York city, on December 15, 1745. It was believed by many that he was born in West- chester County, owing probably to his connection with the County's early history, that his childhood and latter days were spent within the County, that two sons had been elected to office at the hands of the County's electors, and that descendants continue to reside here.
He was the eighth son of Peter and Mary (Van Cortlandt) Jay. Peter Jay, like his father and grandfather, was a mer- chant, 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 former industry. At the age of twenty-four Peter Jay married Mary Van Cortlandt, a daughter of one of Westchester County's oldest families; at the time Mr. Jay decided to pur- chase a farm at Rye, in this County, ten children had been born to bless their union. John Jay, the subject of this sketch was little more than a babe at the time of the family's removal to Rye. Jay's ancestors were of the Huguenots driven from France. His great-grandfather was a native and resident of the city of La Rochelle, for which the city of New Rochelle, in this County, was named.
John Jay even in his childhood displayed some inklings of the spirit which was to animate him in after years. His early education was principally derived from his mother, who was a woman both of talents and information. She also instilled into his mind those Christian principles which we find exhibit- ing themselves in his future career. At the age of eight he was sent to a grammar school in the nearby town of New Rochelle. His instructor there was the Rev. Mr. Stoope, a native of Switzerland, and pastor of the French Church, in New, Rochelle. To great learning and fondness for mathematical pursuits the good clergyman united absence of mind; and his pupil suffered from the latter almost as much as he gained from the former. To the clergyman's wife, who was as miserly as he was care- less, the care of his household was committed, and several anec- dotes are recorded of the sufferings of young Jay, both as to food and treatment. Under the tuition of this singular clergy- man young Jay remained three years, and was then placed by his father under the care of a private tutor, who prepared him for college. The college selected was King's, in New York city, now Columbia University, an institution which, as even. in the early days, boasts of many celebrated men among its
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alumni. On May 15, 1764, when a little over eighteen years of age, he graduated from college with his degree of Bachelor of Arts. Two weeks later he began the study of law in the office of one of the principal law firms in New York city. In 1768 he was admitted to practice, and soon, by his talents and in- dustry, was possessed of a lucrative business.
Commissioners were at this time appointed by the King to determine a disputed boundary-line between the provinces of New York and New Jersey. Mr. Jay was named as secretary of that commission, and thus commenced his public career as a servant of the King to whom he was afterward so long and so successfully opposed.
In the year 1774, Jay, being then twenty-nine years of age, was married to Miss Sarah Livingston, daughter of William Livingston of New Jersey. Mr. Livingston, the father of the bride, had distinguished himself as an ardent and active patriot, and became the first Governor of New Jersey after the declara- tion of independence.
Mr. Jay's first office in the service of the patriots, was one of a committee appointed by the citizens of New York to corre- spond with their fellow colonists on all matters of moment, and especially upon the manner of their resistance to the op- pression of the mother country. Mr. Jay was appointed a sub- committee, whose business was to prepare answers to such com- munications as might be received.
Among the labors of this sub-committee, an answer was framed to a letter from the people of Boston. The draught of this is supposed to have come from the hands of Jay. It is not a little remarkable, as it contains the first proposition for the provinces to elect deputies to a general Congress. The New York committee, on the 4th of July, 1774, passed resolu- tions that their city ought to send delegates to this Congress, when and wherever it might be held; they also nominated five gentlemen, among whom was Jay, as suitable representatives. They were elected; but Jay and two of his colleagues, con- ceiving, from the manner of their election, that they were un- fairly appointed, refused to serve, unless another election was held. Accordingly, a second election took place, and in a more formal manner; all who paid taxes voted, and the proceedings were countenanced and controlled by the corporation of the city. Mr. Jay was elected, and he was one of the representa- tives of Westchester County as well as of New York city. The
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situation of a delegate to Congress seems to have been by no means considered as one that ought to be coveted, doubtless many feared being charged with treason and punished by Eng- land, and many counties were not represented (Westchester County was not in this number) in consequence of the diffi- culty of finding proper persons who were willing to serve. The towns along the Hudson, unable, from these causes, to elect members, committed to the New York delegation the right of voting and acting for them.
Congress assembled in Philadelphia on September 5, 1774. Mr. Jay took his seat on the first day of the session, and, although the youngest member, occupied a prominent place in the business of the assembly. One of the first measures of the Congress was the passage and recommendation of a strict non-importation act, by which the colonists bound themselves to use no production of the mother country. This action failing of its object, Congress decided to issue an address to the people of England, remonstrating against the decrees of the British government and asking assistance in bringing about their repeal. The preparation of this important paper was entrusted to Jay, young though he was. As he presented it, it was adopted by Congress.
New York city made Jay a member of the committee to secure the observance of the non-importation agreement.
When the New York provisional Congress was called to meet in New York city, Mr. Jay was a member.
On May 15, 1775, the general Congress again assembled in Philadelphia, and Jay was in his place. He, like others present, recognized that time for heroic action had arrived, the battle of Lexington seems to have developed fully to them 'the plans of the British government. Congress took measures for the enlistment of an American army and the formation of an American navy. Washington was appointed commander-in- chief on June 15, and soon after other generals were appointed. Mr. Jay took prominent part in arranging details; he suggested the name of John Sullivan for appointment as a Brigadier General, and the after career of General Sullivan justified this recommendation.
Congress appointed Mr. Jay to draw up a call to the inhabi- tants of Canada, inviting them to make common cause with the united provinces against their common enemy Great Britain. This appeal, most ably written, was made in vain.
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Mr. Jay was one of a committee which drew up a paper, published in July, by Congress, as a declaration, "setting forth the causes and necessity for taking up arms." In the same month, Jay had adopted by Congress a petition signed by mem- bers making the last appeal to the King for justice; opposition was made to the adoption, but Jay vindicated its adoption on the plea that, if no attention was paid to it, and it was ignored as had been former petitions, the world would see that there was no other course left them; that they were without other means of relief, and were driven, almost without their own con- sent, to resort to actual hostilities. Mr. Jay, even to the last period of his life, was accustomed to refer to this paper, and state his conviction that it had great effect in producing unity of purpose among his countrymen. As he did in the case of appealing to Canada, Mr. Jay drew up the appeal for co-opera- tion addressed by Congress to the people of Ireland and Jamaica.
Mr. Jay had added to his two legislative offices the appoint- ment as a colonel of a militia regiment organized to protect New York city.
He was a member of a committee, with Franklin and Jeffer- son, to receive overtures of French assistance in the war of the Revolution. He drew the first draft of the State Constitution. When the "Council of Safety" was formed to hold the reins of the state government until the election of a governor and legislature by the people. Mr. Jay was made a member of that council, and was also appointed Chief Justice of the Su- preme Court. This council, which organized in New York city and later made its headquarters in White Plains, this County, held arbitrary and absolute power, as was necessary on account of the times. While the council was in existence the State was placed in a most trying situation. The enemy held possession of New York in the south, and an invading army from Canada entered it from the north; even true men began to despond, and those disaffected arrayed themselves in open hostility.
In the course of events, it was now imperative that a Governor of the State be chosen. Mr. Jay was regarded by many as a fit occupant for that office, and was desired to present himself as a candidate. He refused the offer on the grounds that he could be of more use to the State in the office of Chief Justice which he then held; at the same time declaring that he was fully sensible that the office of Governor was of great profit
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and honor, but that his patriotism taught him to work, not for his own good, but for that of his country.
On September 9, 1776, the first term of the Supreme Court of the State of New York, under the new Constitution, was held in the village of Kingston, Justice Jay presiding. The circumstances under which this court was held seem to have made a deep impression on his mind. In his charge to the jury, he pointed out to them, in glowing colors, the situation that they were in, and the, to them, particularly happy and pleas- urable fact, that they were the first judicial body assembled under a new and free Constitution.
Mr. Jay was made a member of a committee appointed to pass upon all bills introduced in the State Legislature, before they were permitted to become laws.
The only relaxation that his duties permitted were occasional visits to his only surviving parent at Fishkill. He had caused the removal of his parents from Rye to Fishkill, that they might escape annoyance from people unfriendly to the Amer- ican cause.
Mr. Jay resigned the position of Chief Justice to return to Congress at the solicitation of the New York legislature, as he did not desire to hold both offices at the same time; he was convinced he could be of more service to his country in Con- gress, performing special duties laid out for him; of which Con- gress he became president.
History records, and the record is long, the many noble deeds performed by Mr. Jay in securing the liberty and establishing a government for his country. But few facts have been related in this sketch, space prevents the giving of his history in detail in this volume.
In the opening scenes of the Revolution he was fully aware of the penalty which would fall, in case of failure, upon the leaders of what the British government called a rebellion, yet he placed himself foremost in the discussions, and was speedily called by his compeers to hold the highest place. In his mis- sion to Spain he manifested the same fearlessness and inde- pendence, disregarding his instructions from Congress when he found that, by obeying them, he would waive advantages which the course of that government had secured to the United States. The negotiations of the treaty of Paris is a still more marked instance of this fearless independence of character. He saw,
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or thought he saw, that the French government desired to retain the United States as a vassal nation; and, although un- supported for a time by his colleague, he boldly pursued the course his sense of right and patriotism dictated. His success justified his conduct, and the treaty favored the United States, rather than France.
In the position of Chief Justice of the United States, to which he had been appointed by President Washington, he ren- dered decisions in accordance with what he knew to be the sense of the Constitution, regardless of personal consequences. President Washington said of him, "In appointing John Jay as Chief Justice, I have not only followed my own inclinations but also rendered the highest possible service to the country."
To accept a mission to Great Britain at the moment he did, called for the exercise of qualities similar to those exhibited in other official positions.
He was, in 1795, elected Governor of his native State, and served two terms, six years, succeeding George Clinton, who had held the office 18 years (and 3 years later, 21 years in all), when he was succeeded by his predecessor. While holding this office, Jay's bold resistance to what he considered an en- croachment on the rights of his office as Governor by the Council of Appointment, selecting officers without advising with him, was a surprise and shock to members of said Council who expected a quiet protest only ; he adjourned the Council, which could not meet unless he called them together; and although the civil offices of eleven counties were then vacant, he resolved to abide by his own construction of the Constitution. Under the Governor who succeeded him, the legislature put the power of appointment in the Council alone; the Constitution of 1821 gave the power of nomination wholly to the Governor, as Mr. Jay contended it should be.
Relinquishing public office, Mr. Jay sought retirement at Bedford, where he had established a home, in his favorite West- chester County. Here he could find that peace restful to an active man; he could dwell with pleasure upon the recollections of energies well devoted, of talent well applied. In his letters to his friends, he states that it was sufficient occupation for him to muse upon the past, to prepare for eternity. He now conscientiously devoted himself to the duties of a private life; he did not permit political dissensions of the day to bother him; he improved his paternal acres; he rebuilt the mansion of his
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fathers; he was kind to his dependents, useful to his equals. He busied himself with all the little interesting occupations of a country life; he rode round his fields; he cultivated his farm; he interested himself in county business; he was a promoter of a number of county societies for the diffusion of knowledge and religion.
The manner of his life was simple and regular. He rose up with or before the sun, and spent the greater portion of the day in the open air. The first and greatest affliction in his retirement was caused by the death of his wife, which occurred soon after he went to Bedford to reside.
One of his sons, Peter A. Jay, was sent from Westchester County as a delegate to the State Constitutional Convention in 1821; another son, William Jay, served as County Judge of Westchester County, in 1820-1-2-3.
John Jay died at his home, on May 17, 1829, at the age of 84 years. He was seriously ill two years before and not expected to live, but his robust constitution carried him to recovery. He was finally seized with palsy while in bed. His strong mind remained unimpaired to the last. His remains rest in the local cemetery.
The Jay mansion in Bedford is still maintained, and is occu- pied by a direct descendant of the first owner.
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DARIUS OGDEN MILLS, financier and philanthropist, and known as such all the world over, was born in Westchester County, in the historic town of North Salem, on September 5, 1825, the fourth son of James and Hannah (Ogden) Mills.
His father, a sturdy farmer, was for many years a leading citizen in this quiet community; a considerable landowner, Postmaster, Justice of the Peace, and engaged in various busi- ness enterprises. One of these, during the youth of his son, led James Mills to the purchase of a hotel and dock property in Sing Sing, now Ossining village, whither he removed, and where, in 1841, he died. He left a wife (who survived him nine years), five sons and one daughter. The Sing Sing in- vestments, as well as some others of Mr. Mills's later life, did not turn out fortunately, and thus, at the age of sixteen, the subject of this sketch was left with no prospects in life save what he could make for himself. Old residents often spoke of remembering the "Mills boy," who frequently drove hack for his father, to and from the railroad station at Sing Sing, as being then a lad of more than usual "push." As a boy he showed industrious traits, doing willingly what his hands found to do. Though young, he proved of great assistance to his father; the time he had to spare from school was always spent usefully. To make an honest penny he stood ready in unoccupied hours to work for a neighbor, in the field or driving horses, and he was saving of his pennies.
His father had taken great pains with the education of the family, and had, besides, both by precept and example, care- fully impressed upon them the principles of sound morality and scrupulous integrity as the basis of the only success worth having. They were, as they came to school age, trained at the North Salem Academy. Later Darius was sent to the Mount Pleasant Academy, then the chief educational institution of Sing Sing, if not, indeed, of Westchester County. Here his tastes were observed to run strongly to mathematics, and it was noted that his fancy already inclined to a business career. At seventeen he left the Academy and set about the work of supporting himself and making his way in the world. He decided to go to New York, "the big city wonderful" in the eyes of every lad even in those early days.
The city then was not more than a provincial town, with woods and meadows covering the district north of the City Hall; it was filled with a thrifty population that knew little
DARIUS OGDEN MILLS
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of the extremes of wealth or poverty. Young Mills secured a clerkship in a bank, a position which was not difficult to get in those days; a moderate degree of industry could produce a sufficiently comfortable income.
Here, and in some work relating to the settlement of his father's small remaining estate, he was occupied for several years. By this time he had shown such business capacity and steadiness that his cousin (on the mother's side), E. J. Town- send, invited him to Buffalo to serve as cashier in the Mer- chants' Bank of Erie County, with an arrangement for a one- third interest. In 1847, when only twenty-two years old, he joined his cousin in Buffalo, assumed at once the duties of cashier, and soon seemed to have found his vocation and location in life. The new cashier made friends and was liked and trusted, and the cousins had what was for those times a good and an in- creasingly profitable business. They enjoyed excellent credit, both at home and with New York bankers-a circumstance that was soon to be of benefit to them in a new and very different field.
In the summer of 1848 gold was discovered in California. By autumn the gold fever was visibly affecting the Buffalo community. It struck also the members of the Mills family in New York, and presently two of the brothers, James and Edgar, started on a sailing vessel around the Horn for Cali- fornia, taking with them a stock of goods, with which they purposed to begin business on the Pacific Slope. Still, the young Buffalo cashier was little impressed. His temper, though bold and resolute, was also essentially conservative; he was doing well and was satisfied. In the early winter the news from California became still more alluring. One 'evening he and two of his friends, William B. Rochester (then a young man of about Mr. Mills's own age, in business with his uncle, Israel T. Hatch, and afterward Paymaster General of the United States Army), and Joseph Stringham (a considerably older man, then in the exchange business, and afterward presi- dent of a bank), were in conversation over the reports from the diggings. Suddenly Rochester proposed that the three should go to California and start in business together. Mr. Mills's reply was an early example of that rapidity of decision which afterward served him so well in his business career. He said at once he would go if the others would, and would be ready to start in ten days. They talked late into the night
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over their plans, and were enthusiastic at the prospect; but Rochester had to consult his uncle and Stringham had to see whether he could close up his business. Next morning both reported difficulties in the way, to which Mr. Mills's prompt response was: "Very well; I am going, and I shall start in ten days."
In ten days he did start, although in the meantime he had stood a hard siege from friends and relatives, who remonstrated with him for leaving a field where he was doing so well and had already made valuable associations. But his cousin and partner raised no objections.
And so Mills, when but twenty-four years of age, started late in December, 1848, with a through ticket by way of the isthmus, calling for passage on the Pacific side on the first up trip of the new steamer California. At Panama he found three thousand persons waiting for steamers or for any other craft that would take them to San Francisco. The story was that every ship entering the Golden Gate was instantly de- serted by its crew for the gold diggings, and that thus vessels found it impossible to get out of the harbor again. Going up and down among the eager, impatient throng stranded in Pan- ama, Mr. Mills presently found some people who had come to the isthmus from Valparaiso, on their way east from San Fran- cisco. Talk with them suggested the idea of chartering several ships in South American ports to take passengers to San Fran- cisco. He soon enlisted a friend in his scheme, and the enter- prise, principally through young Mills's energy, was successful. He had to think and act promptly for himself. When he arrived in San Francisco he found some acquaintances, heard the latest stories from the diggings, abandoned any idea of washing gold, and laid his plans for a trading expedition to Stockton, in the San Joaquin Valley, then the headquarters for the business of the southern mines. He took as a partner a fellow voyager who was well recommended, bought a small sailing craft and stocked it with goods. Part of these he was able to buy for cash; the rest were consigned to him by a shipowner and trader whom he had met on the journey out, and who was influenced in placing his confidence in Mr. Mills partly by the young man's credentials, but quite as much by his personal bearing.
At Stockton the cargo of his little craft was sold at prices that should have shown a handsome profit, and he made his way
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down the rivers again to San Francisco. Not liking his part- ner's business methods, however, he sold out the vessel on his return, and so closed the venture, with a small loss.
He had now found out that Sacramento was a better base of supplies for trade with the mines than Stockton, and his experience had taught him just what kinds of goods to take. In association with two old acquaintances he invested his en- tire capital, excepting a trifle for personal expenses, and then bought on credit or secured on special consignments enough more goods to furnish nearly the entire cargo for a small schooner about to sail for Sacramento. The freight bill was more than $5,000, due on arrival, and he had not $40 left in his pocket. Arriving at Sacramento, he ordered his goods dis- charged and asked the captain to make out his bill. Meantime, he began selling goods at the landing as they were put off, and before the bill was presented he had taken in money enough to pay it.
This venture proved highly profitable, and Mr. Mills at once began a regular business in Sacramento, selling general mer- chandise, buying gold dust and dealing in exchange on New York. In the meantime his brothers James and Edgar had been making their way by sail around the Horn. Landing at last at Sacramento with their goods, almost the first man they met was the successful young merchant and banker whom they supposed to be still at work as a bank cashier in Buffalo.
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