John Jay Papers

To John Jay from Maria Jay Banyer, 17[–18] February 1825

From Maria Jay Banyer

New York 17th. [–18] Feby. 1825—

My dear Papa

Accept my thanks for your kindness in sending me to town. I fear it has again proved an inconvenience to the family, the roads & weather were so very unfavorable that the horses can hardly have escaped injury returning— The ride & the exercise I have since used, has been more beneficial to my health than could have been expected, which makes me more solicitous than ever that you should resort to the same remedy— do my dear Papa try the effect of short rides when the weather is fine—

The influenza is almost universal, most of the family here have had it, tho’ not very severely & all are well enough to go out—1

Our friends from Ireland meet with a great deal of attention, I have had the pleasure of their company almost every day at some little social party— but you would be astonished at the splendour with which we have been entertained & I own that the great increase in luxury which is every where apparent, is not gratifying to me either as a republican or a Christian— I should enjoy their hospitality more did it cost my friends less trouble & expense—

Yesterday we had quite an Albany party & a very agreable one at Mrs. Hone’s, she is the daughter of Chancellor Kent who with Mrs. Kent was there,2 & made many enquiries respecting you— We took tea with Lady Mary3 who looks remarkably well & is in better spirits than could have been expected.—

Judge Benson has been at Albany for some weeks— I am told he looks remarkably well—

Effy is not in good spirits, she is still unable to form any plan for the future; it is really very hard that she should be kept in such a state of suspense.4

18th. I was interrupted yesterday & Brother is now waiting for my letter— Please to remember very affectionately to all my dear friends at home & believe me to be my dear Father, with fervent gratitude your dutiful & affectionate daughter,

Maria Banyer

John Jay Esqr.

ALS, NNC (EJ: 09775).

1An influenza pandemic swept the country from 1824 to 1826. See Dorothy Ann Pettit, “A Cruel Wind: America Experiences Pandemic Influenza, 1918–1920 A Social History” (Ph.D. Diss.: Univ. of New Hampshire, 1976), 29–30.

2James Kent’s wife, Elizabeth (Bailey) Kent (1768–1851), and her daughter Elizabeth Hone (1796–1877), wife of Isaac S. Hone (1791–1856).

3Mary Alexander Watts, daughter of Lord Stirling, widow of Loyalist Robert Watts, and sister of “Lady Kitty” Duer. See JJ to Beverly Robinson, 18 Feb. 1823, above; and Sarah Livingston Jay’s Invitation Lists, [5–28 Jan. 1787], JJSP description begins Elizabeth M. Nuxoll et al., eds., The Selected Papers of John Jay (6 vols. to date; Charlottesville, Va., 2010–) description ends , 4: 462–63. She was also mother-in-law to Mathilda Ridley Watts. See JJ to PAJ, 5 Feb. 1821, above.

4Mary, “Polly,” Jay’s niece. See MJB to JJ, 19 June 1821; and PAJ to JJ, 20 May 1824, both above. MJB discussed raising money for Effy in MJB to PAJ, 22 Nov. 1824, ALS, MyRyJHC.

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