Morris-Jumel Mansion
From Thomas Jefferson Encyclopedia
Fort Washington, in the vicinity of present-day W. 183d Street, fell to the British in Nov. 1776. The Morris-Jumel Mansion,[1] built by Roger Morris in 1765, was confiscated at the end of the Revolution as Loyalist property. In March 1790, it was advertised for sale at public auction as "in point of elegance and spaciousness equal to any house in the state”. "From its elevated position," the advertisement continued, it "not only enjoys the most salubrious air, but affords a prospect extensively diversified and beautiful. The farm contains about 140 acres, the greatest part of which is mowing ground." There was also a garden "containing a variety of the best fruits."
Jefferson joined President Washington on Saturday, July 10, 1790, for an outing to the northern end of Manhattan Island. He noted in his Memorandum Book: "Grease for wheels going to Fort Washington 1 [shilling]."
Washington described the day in his diary: "Having formed a Party, consisting of the Vice-President, his lady, Son & Miss Smith; the Secretaries of State, Treasury & War, and the ladies of the two latter; with all the Gentlemen of my family, Mrs. Lear & the two Children we visited the old position of Fort Washington and afterwards dined on a dinner provided by Mr. Mariner at the House lately Colo. Roger Morris but confiscated and in the occupation of a common Farmer."
Footnotes
- ↑ This article is based on Lucia Stanton, Monticello Research Report, 1992.
