Morris Jumel Mansion

Morris-Jumel Mansion was built in 1765, hugged by 135 acres of farmland. The home, built for British Colonel Roger Morris, was named Mount Morris for its perch on a rocky bluff. At first, Roger and his wife, Mary, lived happy lives on their hilltop estate.

But, both were British loyalists and soon left as the American Revolution began. In the early months of the war, George Washington used the manor as a headquarters. The high placement allowed for wide views of the region, making for easy planning of troop placement around the city.

When Washington was driven from New York, the home was used by British forces. It wasn’t until the war ended that the home was back in private hands. By then Roger Morris and other loyalists were no longer welcome in the new United States.

To cover war debt, the home was sold and converted into a tavern. While only modestly successful, the tavern built in the house famously served President Washington and his cabinet in July of 1790. Unfortunately, the tavern soon became unprofitable and closed up shop after just a few years.

In 1810, the house and its farmland was purchased by Stephen Jumel, a French merchant. Stephen and his wife, Eliza, took on refurbishments and renovations, adding the Federal-style entrance seen today and updating the interior to the Empire style.

Eliza Jumel soon became known among upper class social circles as someone always striving for higher social class and status. Originally from a poor upbringing, Eliza frequently enjoyed the luxuries and decadence of the rich life she was able to lead in adulthood.

Self-educated with a love of reading, Eliza became a woman of great power in this time, helping her husband steer his business through hard times and establishing herself as a person with a sharp entrepreneurial mind. Despite her skills and intelligence, Eliza Jumel had trouble finding social acceptance in New York.

She and Stephen often traveled back to France for extended periods. It wasn’t until 1826 when Eliza returned to the New York estate for good, followed by her husband two years later.

In 1832, Stephen Jumel died in a suspicious accident said to involve him falling off of a hay wagon and directly onto a pitchfork. Many members of New York high society thought Eliza was complicit, though nothing was ever proven and Stephen’s death was ruled accidental.

Regardless, Eliza inherited Stephen’s massive fortune upon his death, and instantly became one of the wealthiest women in all of New York City. Less than a year after Stephen’s death, Eliza married former Vice President Aaron Burr in the home’s front parlor.

Eliza’s marriage to Aaron Burr, perhaps most famous for shooting Alexander Hamilton dead, only furthered her controversial reputation in New York’s high society. The marriage proved unhappy, with the assumption being that Eliza married Burr in hopes of improving her social status, while it was thought Burr merely wanted the Jumel fortune.

Eliza filed for divorce in 1834, hiring none other than Alexander Hamilton Jr. to represent her through. The divorce was finalized on the same day as Burr’s death in 1836. 

For the next 29 years, Eliza Jumel lived in the mansion with family. In this era, Eliza hired Anne Northup to work as a home chef. Northup had built a history as a skilled cook, and needed work after her husband’s disappearance. Her husband, Solomon Northup, was famously kidnapped into slavery and returned to write a book, 12 Years a Slave.

Eliza Jumel continued to travel during the years leading up to the Civil War. But, as dementia set in, she spent most of her time in New York. She died at home in 1865, at age 90.

In 1882, the Jumel heirs sold the last 115 acres, now the Jumel Terrace Historic District. The home was sold to the city in 1903. It opened as a museum in 1904, and has been refurbished as well as filled with historical artifacts from both the Morris and Jumel families.