John Clarkson Jay

John Clarkson Jay (September 11, 1808 – November 15, 1891)

His paternal grandparents were Sarah Van Brugh (née Livingston) Jay and John Jay, the Founding Father who was a diplomat, the first Chief Justice of the United States and two-time Governor of New York State. His maternal grandparents were General Matthew Clarkson and Mary (née Rutherfurd) Clarkson, a sister of U.S. Senator John Rutherfurd and daughter of Walter Rutherfurd.

Jay graduated from his father and grandfather's alma mater Columbia in 1827, and from the College of Physicians and Surgeons in 1831. This and his costly library on this branch of science were purchased by Catharine Lorillard Wolfe and presented, in memory of her father, to the American Museum of Natural History, where it is known as the Jay Collection. In 1832 he became a member of the Lyceum of Natural History (now New York Academy of Sciences), and was its treasurer 1836–1843. He took an active part in the efforts that were made during that time to obtain subscriptions for a new building to house the society's collection, and bore the principal burden in planning and superintending its construction. In addition to racing in regattas, he served for some time as the club's secretary. Together, they were the parents of eleven children, including:

Laura Jay (1832–1910), who married Charles Pemberton Wurts (1824–1892), nephew and heir of John Wurts, in 1854. Mary Jay (1837–1897), who married Jonathan Edwards (1821–1882) in 1861. Cornelia Jay (1838–1907), who died at her residence, The Salamanca, at 155 West 58th Street, New York City. Peter Augustus Jay (1841–1875), who married Julia Post, daughter of Dr. Alfred C. Post. who married Harriette Arnold Vinton (1849–1914), daughter of Maj. Gen. David Hammond Vinton.

Following the death of his father in 1843, he inherited the Jay family estate including the Jay Estate in Rye, New York and lived there with his family until his death in 1891. Today his home is the centerpiece of the Boston Post Road Historic District a National Historic Landmark and managed by the Jay Heritage Center. Jay died on November 15, 1891, in Rye, New York.

Descendants Through his son Peter, he was the grandfather of Pierre Jay (1870–1949),