John Jay’s many public roles included serving as President of the Second Continental Congress, principal negotiator of the Treaty of Paris which ended the Revolutionary War, United States Secretary for Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation, and first Chief Justice of the United States. He also served as the first Chief Justice of New York State, co-author of its constitution, and governor from 1795 to 1801.
John Jay Homestead State Historic Site is where Jay chose to retire after a long career in public service. For almost thirty years, he quietly enjoyed his life here as a gentleman farmer, keenly interested in agriculture, horticulture, his family, and his religion.
