Residents and Succession of Ownership of the Jay Estate in Rye

Peter Jay (1704 -1782) Only son of French Huguenot emigrant, Auguste Jay, and Anna Maricka Bayard. Successful merchant in New York City. Marries Mary Van Cortlandt. Family includes son Peter, blinded by smallpox, other children also harmed by epidemic, and infant John Jay. Peter Jay buys the Jay Property in 1745, over 250 acres, from John Budd and names it “The Locusts.” When Peter Jay dies, John Jay’s older brother “Blind Peter” inherits the Rye Farm in 1776.

John Jay (1745-1829) Founding Father; first Chief Justice Supreme Court; twice Governor of New York State; President of the Continental Congress, co-author of the Federalist Papers; negotiator, Treaty of Paris and the Jay Treaty; first US Secretary for Foreign Affairs; Chief Justice of New York State; drafted the first New York State Constitution; President of the Manumission Society. Grew up from infancy at Rye farm, began his education there with his mother as teacher, attended school in New Rochelle, and also tutored at home by George Murray; then attended Kings College (Columbia); pursued the private practice of law until age 28; committed to public service from then until his retirement in 1801. Married Sarah Livingston. John Jay inherits Jay Property in 1813 from his older brother, “Blind Peter” but because he has by this time retired to his Katonah property, he has his son Peter Augustus Jay maintain the Rye farm with his widowed aunt Mary still living there. In 1822, John Jay conveys the property to Peter Augustus. In accordance with his wishes, John Jay is buried in a private cemetery on Rye property in 1829 where his body remains today along with those of other Jay descendants. Cemetery is still privately used and maintained.

Peter Augustus Jay (1776-1843) Elder son of John Jay. Like his father, graduates from Kings College, studies for the law, establishes a practice in New York City and carries on family tradition of public service. He serves as President, Society for Manumission of Slaves; President, Board of Kings College, New York Hospital; New York State Assemblyman (active in arranging the financing for Erie Canal); he is a Westchester County Judge; a founder of the Bank for Savings (thereby establishing New York State savings bank system); private secretary to his father in London for Jay Treaty. President of the New York Historical Society. Married Mary Rutherford Clarkson. Peter Augustus receives Jay Property from his father in 1822. His father John Jay dies in 1829. In 1838, Peter Augustus takes down the farmhouse and builds the Greek Revival mansion you see today but still incorporates structural elements of the Locusts into the house include nails and beams---the ultimate recycling. The Drawing Room with its gold leaf molding and floor to ceiling windows looking out over the marsh is representative of the period that Peter Augustus Jay’s family resided in the house.

                          

                               Peter Augustus Jay               Mary Rutherfurd Clarkson

John Clarkson Jay (1808-1891) Eldest son of Peter Augustus Jay. Graduate of Columbia College and College of Physicians and Surgeons. Later serves both institutions as Trustee. Briefly practices medicine; devotes himself to the study of natural science. A foremost conchologist, he learned about shells at shore of Rye farm as child. His collection of 50,000 shell specimens and 1,000 volume library of natural science, including his own catalogues according to Lamarckian order, become the nucleus of The American Museum of Natural History’s collection of shells. He is President of The New York Historical Society; a founder of the Lyceum of Natural History and of New York Yacht Club. Sailed “La Coquille”. Married Laura Prime. John Clarkson Jay inherits the Jay Property from his father in 1843. The Dining Room is currently being restored to the period of his family’s occupation. The property stays in the Jay family through 1904.

Warner Montagnie Van Norden (1873-1959) Tenth generation of Van Nordens in New York City (also Huguenot emigrants by way of Holland). Columbia University and NYU Law School. Founder and President, Van Norden Trust Company; he serves as a Director of the Legal Aid Society. Life long Greek scholar, student of Latin and early English pastoral drama. World traveler, writer about China, Indochina; contributing writer to the New York Times; knowledgeable in ornithology, zoology, noted sportsman. Imported Grevy zebras to Rye. Invited underprivileged children from city for camping during summers at Rye property. Married to Grace Talcott. Van Norden buys the Jay Property in 1905. He builds the Carriage House and Zebra Barn in 1907. Intricate wood paneling for the Library and Music Room, imported from Europe and typical of the Gilded Age Estates of the time is installed by Van Norden and represent his family’s period of residence in the Mansion.

Edgar M. Palmer (1881-1943) Graduate and charter trustee of Princeton; benefactor of the town of Princeton and university, donor of Palmer Stadium. Chairman, President New Jersey Zinc Company. Trustee of Consolidated Edison. He is a known yachtsman and serves as Commodore of American Yacht Club in Rye. Sailed the famous three masted schooner Guinevere which he gave to the US Navy during the first World War. He built a second, also named Guinevere and gave that yacht as well to the Navy at the beginning of World War II. Married to Zilph Hayes. Buys Jay Property in 1911.

Zilph Palmer Devereux (1912-1981) Daughter of Edgar Palmer. Married at Rye estate to Walter Devereux. Walter also served as Commodore at American Yacht Club in Rye. Zilph Palmer receives Jay Property from her father in 1935 and builds summer cottage, swimming pool. In 1966, she donates the buildings and 23 acres to the United Methodist Church with the express intention that it never be developed. She gives 120 adjoining acres to Westchester County for Conservation (now Marshlands Conservancy).