To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 19 June 1821
From Maria Jay Banyer
New York 19th: June 1821
My dear Papa
I had a very comfortable ride to Rye & found Aunt1 remarkably well, she & Helen2 were mutually delighted to see each other, Aunt & Effy3 both wish to keep her there— They went with me after dinner to Mr. Munro’s after paying a short visit I proceeded to Mr. Watts’s & spent the evening agreably with Matilda—4 Mr. Watts was out electioneering until 11 O’Clock— it is thought Brother will be elected—5 how satisfactory it is that at such a time his most violent political opponents can find nothing to say against him except that he does not reside in the County, while some of the other Candidates especially our poor Cousin are loaded with the most virulent abuse—6
I got to town at 10 O’Clock this morns. & found Aunt Symmes7 here. Sister8 looks very well, she talks of going to Matilda’s as well as Rye, since you are so kind as to let her keep the Carriage; & hopes to see you Friday or Saturday— We embark for Albany tomorrow afternoon & I shall proceed immediately ^with Cousins^ on our journey— Brother’s family are all very well— Sister joins me in best love to you William & Augusta, the dear Children are not forgotten— Dear Papa farewell may the Lord of his infinite mercy bless you, preserve your health & grant that we may meet again in peace— Do not be uneasy about me, Dr. Watts has just been here & says he thinks the journey will be of great benefit to me. With the most heartfelt gratitude I remain your dutiful and very affecte. daughter
Maria Banyer
John Jay Esqr—
ALS, NNC (EJ: 09758).
1. Mary Duyckinck “Polly” Jay, widow of Peter Jay.
2. PAJ’s daughter. See MJB to JJ, 3 May 1821, above.
3. Effy, (Effey), also known as “Miss Effey.” Niece of Polly who lived with her at Rye. She also travelled with MJB. She had relatives in New Jersey. Effy remained with the family at least until 1825. See SLJ to JJ, 13 July 1793, ALS, NNC (EJ: 06553); JJ to PAJ, 24 Apr. 1821, ALS, NNC (EJ: 90102); PAJ to JJ, 8 July 1808, and JJ to Sarah Louisa Jay, 4 May 1813, both above; MJB to JJ, 17[–18] Feb. 1825, below.
4. Mathilda Ridley Watts and Robert Watts Jr. apparently had a place in Rye, while his mother lived in New York. See JJ to PAJ, 5 Feb. 1821, above.
5. PAJ was running as a candidate for the Westchester delegation to the New York Constitutional Convention. As Recorder, he was living in New York County.
6. PJM was running for Westchester delegate on the Republican ticket. The three winners were PJM and Jonathan Ward (1768–1842), for the Republicans, and PAJ as the Federalist receiving the most votes. See A New Nation Votes https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/h415pb399; and Westchester Herald (Ossining), 26 June 1821.
7. Susan Livingston Symmes. SLJ’s sister, widow of Judge John Cleves Symmes.
8. Ann Jay.