John Jay Papers

Maria Eliza Philipse to Sarah Livingston Jay, 1 July 1774

Maria Eliza Philipse to Sarah Livingston Jay

Yonkers July 1st. [1774].1

You will I hope my dear & amiable friend Excuse my not writing to you before. I have several times been prevented from doing myself that pleasure; but as It Is not yet too Late, accept of my Congratulations on an event that has Contributed so much to the felicity of my dear Mrs. Jay, & my ardent wishes for the long Continuance of the Happiness you enjoy. The fan & gloves I received & beg my thanks. It was no small Mortification to me In not having It In my Power to accept of your kind Invitation by Cousin Kitty Livingston of being one of the Bridesmaids In truth I own that I had flattered myself with the pleasing Expectation of being one of the Number & Had It not been for my papa (who thought the weather too warm for me to be In town) I should have reallized all those pleasures of which I had formed such a delightful idea. The being with my dear Mrs. Jay would have been my principal Inducement, & spending with her some Hours as agreeable as those I enjoyed at Elizabeth Town. But apropos—Mama & I were a little Jealous at your stopping twice at Collo Cortlandts & not once at Philipsborough You being such a prodigious favorite. However, we all hope soon to be favored with a visit from you & Mr. Jay—Papa and Mama beg their compts To You & Mr Jay, with Congratulations.

Cousin Kitty Van Horne has spent three weeks with me, & proposes staying a week longer. But my dear Sally do not you intend to favour me with a Letter Remember you are a long one In my debt, & that I cannot thinke of Losing my Correspondent.—It would not Indeed be Generous In you in depriving me of so great an opportunity of Improvement.—If at Elizabeth town please to give my love to Cousin Livingstons, & to Cousin Susan & Kitty & [illegible] & believe me to be Sincerely Your truly affectionate Friend—

Maria Eliza Philips.

Do not omit my Compts. to Mr. Jay & Congratulations—

ALS, NNC (EJ: 7054). Endorsed.

1Maria Eliza Philipse (c. 1756–1838) was the daughter of future Loyalist Frederick Philipse (1720–85), third and last proprietor of Philipsburgh Manor. In 1779 she married Lionel Smythe in New York City, and she subsequently migrated to England together with the rest of her family. She was related to the Livingstons through her grandmother Joanna Brockholst, sister of Susannah Brockholst, Sarah Jay’s grandmother.

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