John Jay (1745-1829) was an attorney, public official, diplomat, jurist. He: was member of the Continental Congress (1774-76, 1778-79) where he was President of Congress (1778-79); helped write the New York State constitution (1777); authored first manual on military discipline (1777); served as Chief-Justice of the New York Supreme Court (1777-78); was appointed minister to Spain (1779); signed the final peace treaty with Great Britain (1783); coauthored, along with James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, the Federalist Papers, which were instrumental in securing the ratification of the Constitution (1788); was appointed first Chief-Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court by President George Washington (1789-95) and later declined a reappointment as Chief-Justice by President John Adams; served as Governor of New York (1795- 1801); vice-president of the American Bible Society (1816-21) and its president (1821-27); and was a member of American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
Below is a membership certificate signed by John Jay as President of the American Bible Society:
This is to Certify, That John R Murray, Esqr. Of the city of New York, by virtue of a contribution of Fifty Dollars, made by his sisters, Mary Murray, and Hannah L. Murray is a member for life of the
American Bible Society.
New York, May 21st 1827
Attest. John Jay – Prest.[President] –
Jnitelies[?] Agent ABS
T. McAuley Secy. for Dom. Cores
*Originally Published: Dec. 19, 2016
