User:Geetram Hitnarine/sandbox

The Morris Jumel Mansion was established in 1765 and stands today as Mhanhatans oldest house. It was established by Roger Morriss and his wife at the time, Mary Philipse. Roger Morriss held the position of captain in the British army during the French war, while his wife, Mary Phillipse, was daughter to speaker of the assembly Frederick Philipse. She was often described as " beautiful, fascinating, and accomplished." The mansion was orignally created as a summer villa and it spanned an area of 130 acres. Thus, it covered some distance from Harlem all to way to the Hudson River. Due to its location and the way the mansion was situated, it presented an idea view on much of the surrounding area. The mansion allowed one to view lower Mhanntahhan, New Jersey, parts of Westchester as well as both the Hudson and Harlem River. It is no suprrise that the house was utilized by indivduals such as George Washington, Commander Baron Wilhelm von Knyphausen, and Lieutenant General Sir Henry Clinton. During the Revolutionary War and speicfically the Battle of Harlem Heights, the house's ideal location provided a strategically placed headquarter for Washington. During his stay there from September 14 to October 20, 1776, Washington made note of his experience there. It is claimed that Washington not only selected the house because of its location but also because Mary Philipse had been a love interest for him twenty years before. The house also served as headquarters for the Hessian's but it was quickly confiscated by newly established government within what had become the United States. During this period of confiscation, the Mansion became what was known as Calumet Hall, which was a well known tavern that ran by the Albany Post Road. In the year of 1810, a French buisnees man and merchant that went by the name of Stephen Jumel bought the house. Stephen Jumel and his wife, Eliza Jumel moved into the house as their new residence shortly after purchasing it. Eliza Jumel was born in 1775 in Rhode Island. Throughout her life, she lived richly and luxuriously. Moreover, she was subject to many accusations in both France and New York, one of them being her involvement in the unpleasant death of her first husband. Months after his death, Eliza had married Aaron Burr, the former Vice President of the United States. Eliza was known for being a woman who sought out a higher social position for herself as well as a life that encompassed having large amounts of wealth. Thus, she was always seen around men of power and fortune. The care and love she had for the mansion is represented by the 251 years it had stood where it currently is. It represents art and culture over a period of 200 years within the New York City area.