The Family of John Jay LbNA #36684
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Add Location| Owner: | Adoptable |
|---|---|
| Plant date: | Nov 12, 2007 |
| Location: | |
| City: | Bedford |
| County: | Westchester |
| State: | New York |
| Boxes: | 1 |
| Planted by: | suzietoots  |
|---|---|
| Found by: | PearceFam27 |
| Last found: | Mar 18, 2020 |
| Status: | FFFFFFFFFFaF |
| Last edited: | Nov 12, 2007 |
The Family of John Jay are buried in St. Matthew's Church Graveyard. This is the church that John Jay worshiped at. 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.
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.
The John Jay Letterbox overlooks generations of his family from the stone wall that circles the Jay family plot. Enter the yard thru the greenish/blue gazebo that sits on the right side of the church. Find the graves of Henry Grafton Chapman and Eleanor his wife. (She was the eldest daughter of John and Eleanor Jay) Directly behind their graves is a big hydragea bush/tree. In the wall just behind the tree is the John Jay box. Hiding near the top of the wall. Leaves may mark the exact spot of the secret little crevise. Very active church. Please respect this beautifully maintained cemetery.
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.
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.
The John Jay Letterbox overlooks generations of his family from the stone wall that circles the Jay family plot. Enter the yard thru the greenish/blue gazebo that sits on the right side of the church. Find the graves of Henry Grafton Chapman and Eleanor his wife. (She was the eldest daughter of John and Eleanor Jay) Directly behind their graves is a big hydragea bush/tree. In the wall just behind the tree is the John Jay box. Hiding near the top of the wall. Leaves may mark the exact spot of the secret little crevise. Very active church. Please respect this beautifully maintained cemetery.