Although the City of New-York claims the honor of being the birth-place
of John Jay, it cannot properly be regarded as the home of his early
years. Not far from the time of his birth, on the 12th of December,
1745, his father, Peter Jay, who, by honorable assiduity in the
mercantile vocation, had accumulated a handsome fortune, purchased an
estate in Rye, about twenty-five miles from the city, with the intention
of making it his future residence. This town, situated on the
southeastern corner of Westchester County, ranks among the most
delightful summer resorts that adorn the northern shores of Long Island
Sound. The village proper stands about a mile and a half from the Sound,
on the turn-pike road between New-York and Boston. From the hills
extending along its northern limits, the Mockquams (Blind Brook) a
perennial stream, flows southwardly through it, adding much to the
beauty of its scenery. On the outskirts are many elegant villas, the
favorite haunts of those who rejoice to exchange the cares of business
and the dust and heat of the neighboring metropolis for its grateful
seclusion and the refreshing breezes that visit it from the ocean.
For the description of the Jay estate at Rye, in the absence of personal
knowledge, we shall, in the main, rely upon the account furnished by
Bolton, in his excellent History of Westchester County, adhering
principally to his own language.
The situation of the estate is very fine, embracing some of the most
graceful undulations of a hilly district, highly diversified with rocks,
woods, and river scenery. Contiguous to the southern portion of it and
bordering the Sound is Marle's Neck and the neighboring islands of Pine
and Hen-hawk. The curious phenomenon of the Mirage is frequently
witnessed from these shores, when the land on the opposite coast of Long
Island appears to rise above the waters of the Sound, the intermediate
spaces seeming to be sunk beneath the waves.
The family residence is situated near the post-road leading to Rye, at a
short distance from the river. The building is a handsome structure of
wood, having a lofty portico on the north. The south point commands a
beautiful and charming view of the Sound and Long Island. Some highly
interesting family portraits adorn the walls of the hall and
dining-room, among which are the following: Augustus Jay, who emigrated
to this country in 1686, a copy from the original by Waldo; Anna Maria
Bayard, wife of Augustus Jay, by Waldo; Peter Augustus Jay, as a boy,
artist unknown; an old painting upon oak panel, supposed to represent
Catherine, 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 hand, holds a clasped Bible. In one corner
of the picture is inscribed "aetat. 64, 1630." In the library is the
valuable cabinet of shells, amounting to several thousands, of which the
collector, John C. Jay, M.D., has published a descriptive catalogue.
Noticeable among the family relics is the gold snuff-box, presented by
the Corporation of New-York with the freedom of the city to "his
Excellency, John Jay," on the 4th of October, 1784, not long after his
return from diplomatic service in Spain and at Paris. An old French
Bible contains the following memoranda: "Auguste Jay, est ne a la
Rochelle dans la Royaume de France le 23/13 Mars, 1665. Laus Deo. N.
York, July ye 10th, 1773, 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."
In the opening of a wood on the southeast of the mansion is the family
cemetery, where are interred the remains of the ancestors of the Jays.
Over the grave of the Chief Justice is the following inscription,
written by his son, Peter Augustus Jay: