The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-02-10
Curious History.

When George Washington. who.
though only twenty-five, had won re-
noun by his gallantry under Braddock.
visited New York, he was the guest OF
Beverly Robinson, a young Virginian.
who had come hIther few wears pre-.
viously and married an heiress. The
latter (Jane PlHllipse) owned a manor
ON the west side,of the Hudson twenty
miles in extent. This, however. was but
half of the paternal estate. On the
east side of the river was a similar tract
belonging to the other sister-hfarv
Phillipse. The last mentioned tract
Contained the Phillipse manor house,
which Is at present the City Hall of
Yonkers. Mary Phillipse was at the
time above mentioned, living with her
sister, and was rnaered, by wealth and
personal attradks ms, one OF the leading
toasts of the E9ay. Report says that
Washington Sod his hand to the
hsSress. bfst fused, as she did aot
care to bury herself on a Virginia planta-
ton. Another suitor, Capt. Morris, of
the British army, was more successful,
and having won an opulent bride, he
Immediately constructed a mansion suit
able to his new position as lord of the
manor. Yonkers was too far from the
CITY. and hence he selected the present
site. Carpenters were brought from
England and the building was erected
in a slow and sold manner, its date of
completion being 1850. The lord of the
manor lived hee in grand style until
the revolution, however, broke up their
establishment. When Washington was
expelled from New York he passed
several days n this vicinity, during
which the Morris House was headquar-
ters. His oldhame had taken refuge
with some Toy families in the vicinity
and her husbad (now a ColoneD was in
the British amy After the war both
went to Englnd, where Mary Morris
died in 1920 t the age of four score.
She always fel deep interest in Wash
ington, and aving lived to see her
/ former lover boone the chief captain of
/ the age, she srvived him twenty years,
/ but never metioned his name without
/ admiration an almost emotion. Perhaps,
/ like Maud MJler, she sometimes said to
| herself, It hight have been"
! After the rvolution the entire manor
! was confiscatd and the Morris property
was sold. Beore this took place, how
ever, Washington visited the place in
/ company witlsome of his Cabinet, and
/ a grand Dime was served by the tenant
/ They were deply interested in the as
/ sociations of that fearful scene where
/ one disaster fter another awaited the
/ patriotic arm. The Morris estate after
ward had seWal owners, and was at last
purchased iLl810 by Stephen Jumel,
retired Frena merchant, the price paid
/ being $1,000 He died in few years,
! leaving his life sole owner, and this
woman has iven the place a notoriety
far greater han its previous record
/ Madame Jnel was fascinating and
beautiful in arly life, but in later years
she displaye many yagarles, and rs her
years were prolonged to ninety they
were marke by many of the weakness
of old age. She and her husband had
/ lived severalkears IN Paris, where they
gathered may eurIOsIules which seIfI
adorn the anchnt mansion. Visiting the
place recently l passed through an
ancient gate ard followed the road,
which leads from the turnpike, till L
/ reached the pOrico which, as has been
remarked, has a grand prospect. On
| entrance one is struck with the breadth
and dignity Of the hall, which is rich in
relics, both OF furniture and art. Among
the latter is fine portrait of Madame
Jumel with her family, and also picture
of Aaron Burr, who became her second
husband. Other works of art adOrn its
walls, combining the past and the present
in a very interesting manner.-NeV foTh
| Letter.