John Jay

John Jay was an American politician, statesmen, revolutionary, diplomat, and Supreme Court Chief Justice. Jay also served in the Continental Congress. Before and after the War for Independence, he served as an ambassador to Spain and France. He also helped write the Federalist Papers with Alexander Hamilton and James Madison. Jay, as I said before, served as the first US Supreme Court Chief Justice from 1789 to 1795. In 1795, Jay was elected the Governor of New York, and his term ended in 1801. He was also a great leader who opposed slavery.

Birth

John Jay was born on December 12, 1745 in New York City. He was the 8th child in his family. His family tree, stretches back to French Huguenots. His father, Peter Jay, married Mary Van Cortlandt and had ten children. Unfortunately, only seven of the children survived. When Jay was but an infant, his family moved from Manhattan to Rye for a healthier environment. The main cause of their move was because two of the children had gotten smallpox.

Minister to Spain

On September 27, 1779, Jay was appointed a Minister (or ambassador) to Spain. During his time as a minister to Spain, he convinced them to loan $170,000 to the US.

Federalist Papers

Jay didn't attend the Constitutional Convention but he did help in the argument of the changes of government with Hamilton and Madison. They created the Federalists Papers, which is a series of eighty-five articles written to help convince the states to ratify the Constitution.

Funfacts!

Cities named after Jay: Jay, Maine, Jay, New York, Jay Vermont. Jay County, Indiana





Today...

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