Augustus Jay

{{Short description|American diplomat (1850–1919)}}

{{infobox person

| name =

| image =Augustus Jay (cropped).jpg

| birth_date = {{birth date|1850|10|17}}

| birth_place = Washington, D.C.

| death_date = {{death date and age|1919|12|25|1850|10|17}}

| death_place = New York City, New York, U.S.

| education =

| alma_mater = Harvard College
Columbia Law School

| parents = Peter Augustus Jay
Josephine Pearson Jay

| spouse = {{marriage|Emily Astor Kane|October 3, 1876}}

| children = Peter Augustus Jay
DeLancey Kane Jay

| relations = Peter Augustus Jay (grandfather)
John Clarkson Jay (uncle)

| awards = Legion of Honour

}}

Augustus Jay (October 17, 1850 – December 25, 1919) was an American diplomat and member of the prominent Jay family.

Early life

Jay was born on October 17, 1850, in Washington, D.C.{{cite book |last1=Burke |first1=Arthur Meredyth |title=The Prominent Families of the United States of America |date=1991 |publisher=Genealogical Publishing Com |isbn=978-0-8063-1308-5 |page=84 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3-78JbUTUewC&pg=PA84 |access-date=14 March 2020 |language=en}} He was the only child of Peter Augustus Jay and Josephine (née Pearson) Jay (1829–1852).{{cite book |last1=Lamb |first1=Martha Joanna |last2=Harrison |first2=Mrs Burton |title=History of the City of New York: The century of national independence, closing in 1880 |date=1880 |publisher=A.S. Barnes |page=401 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9noM43OwM3IC&pg=PA401 |access-date=14 March 2020 |language=en}} His mother died on January 3, 1852, at just twenty-two years old. After her death, his father committed to his sole care before his death three years later on October 31, 1855, in New York City.{{cite news |title=OBITUARY |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46684173/obituary/ |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=The Triweekly Washington Sentinel |date=15 November 1855 |pages=3}} His paternal grandfather was Peter Augustus Jay, a member of the New York State Assembly and Recorder of New York City, and grandson of John Jay, Founding Father and first United States Chief Justice.{{cite news |title=Deaths |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/46684062/deaths/ |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=Brooklyn Evening Star |date=1 November 1855 |pages=2}}

Jay graduated from Harvard College in 1871 and from Columbia Law School in 1876.

Career

Although admitted to the New York bar, Jay never practiced law, instead he entered the diplomatic service. From 1885 to 1893, he was Secretary of the American Legation in Paris. On his retirement as Secretary of the American Legation in Paris, the French Government made him an officer of the Legion of Honor.

After they returned from France, they spent much time in Newport, Rhode Island, where Jay was one of the most prominent New York residents. In Newport, he was a stockholder of the Newport Reading Room and a member of the Newport Fishing Club. They owned Oakwold, located at 65 Old Beach Road, and designed in 1883 by architect Clarence Sumner Luce (designer of the Holyoke Opera House, Wistariahurst, and the James Henry Van Alen house).{{cite book |last1=Yarnall |first1=James L. |title=Newport Through Its Architecture: A History of Styles from Postmedieval to Postmodern |date=2005 |publisher=University Press of New England |isbn=978-1-58465-491-9 |page=207 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9sCQ8ixFnXwC&pg=PA207 |access-date=23 March 2020 |language=en}}

Personal life

On October 3, 1876, Jay was married to Emily Astor Kane (1854–1932),{{cite news|title=MRS. AUGUSTUS JAY DIES IN 79TH YEAR; Widow of Diplomat Whose Ancestor, John Jay, Was First Chief Justice of U.S. LONG A SOCIETY LEADER {{!}} Descended From Gov. Langdon of New Hampshire, Revolutionary Soldier, and John Jacob Astor.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/12/15/archives/mrs-augustus-jay-dies-in-79th-year-widow-of-diplomat-whose-an.html|access-date=12 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=15 December 1932}} a daughter of DeLancey Kane and Louisa Dorothea (née Langdon) Kane.{{cite news|title=COL. KANE'S WILL PROBATED; Personal Estate Is About $65,000 – His Widow Chief Beneficiary.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1915/05/11/archives/col-kanes-will-probated-personal-estate-is-about-65000-his-widow.html|access-date=12 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=11 May 1915}} Emily, a descendant of John Jacob Astor, was the sister of DeLancey Astor Kane, Commodore S. Nicholson Kane, John Innes Kane, Sybil Kent Kane, and Rough Rider Woodbury Kane, all cousins of John Jacob Astor IV.{{cite book |last1=Patten |first1=Bill |title=My Three Fathers: And the Elegant Deceptions of My Mother, Susan Mary Alsop |date=2008 |publisher=PublicAffairs |isbn=978-0-7867-2171-9 |page=27 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PP_HA8sU-o8C&pg=PA27 |access-date=14 March 2020 |language=en}} Together, Augustus and Emily were the parents of:{{cite book |last1=Mackenzie |first1=George Norbury |title=Colonial Families of the United States of America: In which is Given the History, Genealogy and Armorial Bearings of Colonial Families who Settled in the American Colonies from the Time of the Settlement of Jamestown, 13th May, 1607, to the Battle of Lexington, 19th April, 1775 |date=1917 |publisher=Grafton Press |pages=304–305 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=J1tlAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA304 |access-date=23 March 2020 |language=en}}

  • Peter Augustus Jay (1877–1933),{{cite news|title=PETER A. JAY DEAD; LONG A DIPLOMAT; Descendant of the First Chief Justice of U. S. an Ambas- sador to Argentina.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1933/10/19/archives/peter-a-jay-dead-long-a-diplomat-descendant-of-the-first-chief.html|access-date=11 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=19 October 1933}} also a diplomat who served as U.S. General Consul to Egypt, U.S. Minister to El Salvador and Romania and U.S. Ambassador to Argentina.{{cite web|title=Peter Augustus Jay – People – Department History|url=https://history.state.gov/departmenthistory/people/jay-peter-augustus|website=history.state.gov|publisher=Office of the Historian, Bureau of Public Affairs United States Department of State|access-date=11 January 2018|language=en}} He married Susan Alexander McCook, a daughter of Civil War officer and attorney John James McCook (and a granddaughter of Daniel McCook of the "Fighting McCooks").{{cite news |title=PETER A. JAY WEDS MISS SUSAN M'COOK; Notable Assemblage Present at Ceremony in Fifth Avenue Presbyterian Church. BRIDEGROOM A DIPLOMAT First Secretary of Our Legation at Tokio -- Bride Eldest Daughter of Col. J.J. McCook. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1909/03/17/archives/peter-a-jay-weds-miss-susan-mcook-notable-assemblage-present-at.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=17 March 1909}}
  • DeLancey Kane Jay (1881–1941),{{cite news |last1=Times |first1=Special to The New NOK |title=DE LANCEY K. JAY, EX-DIPLOMAT, DIES; Descendant of the First Chief Justice of United States Stricken in Westbury WON D.S.C. IN WORLD WAR Helped Organize "Plattsburg Movement" An Astor One of Early Forebears |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1941/03/28/archives/de-lanuey-k-jay-exdiploiat-dies-descendant-of-the-first-chief.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=28 March 1941}} who married Elizabeth Sarah Morgan (1889–1975), a granddaughter of U.S. Senator and Governor Edwin D. Morgan, in 1910.{{cite news |title=MISS MORGAN TO WED; Daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. D. Morgan to be Bride of De Lancey K. Jay. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1910/01/25/archives/miss-morgan-to-wed-daughter-of-mr-and-mrs-e-d-morgan-to-be-bride-of.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=25 January 1910}}{{cite news |title=JAY--MORGAN |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1910/05/05/archives/marriage-announcement-1-no-title.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=5 May 1910}}{{refn|group=lower-alpha|The brother of Elizabeth Sarah Morgan (1889–1975) was Edwin D. Morgan Jr. (1890–1954), who married Elizabeth Winthrop (née Emmet) Morgan (1897–1934), a daughter of C. Temple Emmet{{cite news |title=C. Temple Emmet, Skier, lawyer, 89 |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1957/07/25/84741098.pdf |access-date=September 4, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=July 25, 1957}} and Alida Beekman (née Chanler) Emmet (also an Astor family descendant).{{cite news |title=MRS. E. D. MORGAN OF WESTBURY DIES; Descendant of Thormas Emmet, Irish Patriot, and First John Jacob Astor, WAS A PORTRAIT PAINTER Her Work Was Exhibited in a Gallery Here – She Was a Member of Colony Club |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1934/02/09/94491787.pdf |access-date=September 4, 2019 |work=The New York Times |date=February 9, 1934}} Through Elizabeth Sarah Morgan's brother Edwin and his wife Elizabeth, she was an aunt to Edwin D. Morgan III,{{cite news|last1=Staff|title=Edwin D. Morgan, 80, Businessman Who Befriended Writers in Paris|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/07/03/news/03iht-obits_ed3__0.html|access-date=March 26, 2016|newspaper=The New York Times|date=July 3, 2001}} husband of Nancy Marie Whitney (a daughter of Cornelius Vanderbilt Whitney and Marie Norton Harriman).{{cite news|title=Quiet Whitney Wedding |url=https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1923/03/02/105904126.pdf|access-date=February 17, 2015|work=The New York Times|date=March 2, 1923}}}}

He was a member of the Knickerbocker Club, Union Club, and University Club of New York.

Jay died of heart disease on Christmas Day 1919, at his home, 960 Park Avenue in Manhattan.{{cite news |title=AUGUSTUS JAY DIES AFTER LONG ILLNESS; Was Great-Grandson of the First Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1919/12/27/archives/augustus-jay-dies-after-long-illness-was-greatgrandson-of-the-first.html |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=27 December 1919}} After a funeral at Trinity Church, he was buried in the John Jay Cemetery in Rye like his father before him.{{cite news |last1=Times |first1=Special to The New York |title=JAY ESTATE GOES TO FAMILY; Will Filed in Newport Leaves Half to Widow and Half to Sons. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1920/01/27/archives/jay-estate-goes-to-family-will-filed-in-newport-leaves-half-to.html |access-date=14 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=27 January 1920}}{{cite news|title=JAY ESTATE $1,027,829.; Robes and Portrait of Chief Justice Among the Bequests.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1921/05/24/archives/jay-estate-1027829-robes-and-portrait-of-chief-justice-among-the.html|access-date=12 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=24 May 1921}} His widow left an estate valued at $450,000 upon her death.{{cite news|title=MRS. JAY LEFT $450,000.; Will Filed at Newport Names Sons, Peter and Delancey, Legatees.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1932/12/23/archives/mrs-jay-left-450000-will-filed-at-newport-names-sons-peter-and.html|access-date=12 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=23 December 1932}}

=Descendants=

Through his eldest son Peter, he was a grandfather of Emily Kane Jay (1911–1926) and Susan Mary Alsop (1918–2004).{{cite news|title=P.A. JAY ESTATE $737,060.; Only a Fraction of Sum Diplomat Left Taxable in This State.|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1934/11/22/archives/pa-jay-estate-737060-only-a-fraction-of-sum-diplomat-left-taxable.html|access-date=12 January 2018|work=The New York Times|date=22 November 1934}}

Through his second son DeLancey, he was a grandfather of six:{{cite news |last1=L |first1=Zach |title=When 'Wheatly' Was For Sale |url=http://www.oldlongisland.com/2009/07/when-wheatley-was-for-sale.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |date=July 31, 2009}} Elizabeth Morgan (née Jay) Etnier Hollins (1911–1991),{{cite news |title=Elizabeth Etnier, 80, An Author, Is Dead |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1991/06/12/obituaries/elizabeth-etnier-80-an-author-is-dead.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=12 June 1991}} Peter Jay (1913–2000), Sybil Kane (née Jay) Waldron (1914–1997),{{cite news |last1=TIMES |first1=Special to THE NEW YORK |title=WEDDING IN CHAPEL FOR SYBIL KANE JAY; Daughter of Westbury Couple Is Married to Francis P. Kinnicutt of New York RECEPTION HELD AT HOME Ceremony Performed on Estate of Bride's Grandmother, Mrs. Edwin D. Morgan |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1937/02/14/archives/wedding-in-chapel-for-sybil-kane-jay-daughter-of-westbury-couple-is.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=14 February 1937}}{{cite news |title=Paid Notice: Deaths WALDRON, SYBIL KANE JAY. |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/12/23/classified/paid-notice-deaths-waldron-sybil-kane-jay.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=23 December 1997}} Theodora Moran (née Jay) Stillman Rahv (1918–1968),{{cite book |last1=Bloom |first1=Alexander |title=Prodigal Sons: The New York Intellectuals & Their World |date=1986 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-505177-3 |page=377 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=GS_nCwAAQBAJ&pg=PA377 |access-date=23 March 2020 |language=en}} Augusta (née Jay) Huffman (1921–2000),{{cite news |last1=TIMES |first1=Special to THE NEW YORK |title=AUGUSTA JAY BRIDE OF NAVAL OFFICER; Descendant of the First Chief Justice Married to Lieut. Comdr. Harold Huffman KIN OF ASTORS, LANGDONS Katherine Jay Attendant for Her Sister at Ceremony in Westbury, L.I., Chapel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1945/11/25/archives/augusta-jay-bride-of-naval-officer-descendant-of-the-first-chief.html |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=The New York Times |date=25 November 1945}}{{cite news |title=Augusta Jay Huffman |url=https://oklahoman.com/article/2702589/augusta-jay-huffman |access-date=23 March 2020 |work=Oklahoman.com |date=28 June 2000}} and Katharine Archer Morgan (née Jay) Bacon (1928–2013).{{cite web |title=KATHARINE JAY "KITTY" BACON |url=https://www.legacy.com/obituaries/name/katharine-bacon-obituary?pid=163590327 |publisher=The Boston Globe |access-date=23 March 2020 |date=March 12, 2013}}

References

;Notes

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;Sources

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