Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-06-22
CURIOUS HISTORY.

When George Washington, who, though only
twenty-five had won renoWn by his gallant
nv under Braddock, visited New York, he
was the guest of Beverly Robinson, young
Virginian, who had come hither a few years
previously and married anheiress. The latter
Jane Phillipse) owned manor on the west
side of the Hudson twenty miles in extent.
This, however, was but half the paternal es-
tate. On the east side Of the river was SINH
lar tract belonging to the other sister-Mary
Phillipse. The last mentioned tract contain
ed the Phillipse manor house, which is at
present the City Hall of Yonkers. Mary Phil
lipse was at the time above mentioned, living
with her sister, and was rendered, by wealth
and personal attractions, one of the leading
toasts of the day. Report says that Washing
ton offered his hand to the heiress, but was
refused, as she did not care to bury herself on
a Virginia plantation. Another Suitor, Capt.
Morris of the British army, was more success
full, and having won an opulent bride, he
Immediately constructed mansion suitable
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 slow and solid manner, its date
of completion being 1760. The lord of the
manor lived here in grand style until the
revolution, however broke up their establish
ment. When Washington was expelled from
New York he passed several daysin this vicin-
ity, during which time the Morris House was
his headquarters. His old flame had taken
refuge with some Tory families in the vi
cinity and her husband (now ColoneD was
in the British army. After the war both
went to England, where Mary Morris died in
1920 at the age of four score. She always felt
a deep interest in Washington, and having
lived to see her former lover become the
chief captain of the age, she survived him
twenty years, but never mentioned his name
without admiration and almost emotion.
Perhaps, like Maud Muller, she sometimes
said to herself, 1T might have been."
After the revolution the entire manor was
confiscated and the property was sold. Before
this took place, however, Washington visited
the place in company with some OF his CaDl-
net and a grand dinner was served by the
tenant. They were deeply interested i'll the
associations of that fearful scene where one
disaster after another awaited the patriotic
army The Morris estate afterward had sew
eral owners, and was at last purchased in
1910 by Stephen Jumel, retired French mer-
chant, the price paid being 10000. He died
in few years, leaving his wife sole owner,
and this woman has given the place notorlety
far greater than it's previous record. Madame
Jumel was fascinating and beautiful in early
life, but in later years displayed many vaga-
res, and as her years were prolonged to ninety
they were marked by many of the weaknesses
Of old age. She and her husband had lived
several years in Paris, where they gathered
many curiosities which still adorn the ancient
mansion. Visiting the place recently, lpassed
through an ancient gate and followed the
road, which leads from the turnpike, till
reached the portico which, as has been re-
marked, has a grand prospect. On entrance
one is struck with the breadth and dignity
of the hall, which is rich in relies, both of
furniture and art. Among the latter is
portrait of Madame Jumel with her family,
and also picture of Aaron Burr, who became
her second husband. Other works OF art
adorn it's walls combining the past and the
nresent in a very interesting manner.