Patriotic Christmas- John Jay's Dec. 23, 1776 Christmas Address to Demoralized New Yorkers and Americans

Thomas Paine's words came out the same day as John Jay's Address, on December 23, 1776. Thomas Paine's American Crisis made it to the Maryland Gazette on February 6, 1777 and John Jay's Address was printed in the February 20 and 27 editions of the Maryland Gazette. The March 6, 1777 edition apparently is missing but it contained the third part of the address.

Think of the setting around Fishkill, New York as John Jay has to travel dangerously in New York. He has to keep the activities of the Continental Army and New York Militia (he was a Colonel) as well as keep his family safe. In the back of the picture you will note a crib. John and Sally Jay had two sons: Peter (born in 1776- January) and William (born in 1789- June). One son was born with the Declaration of Independence and the second with the Constitution.

Feel free to pass this message to your friends as a Christmas card reminder of a Patriotic Christmas and remember the sacrifice of our Founding Fathers as well as the Christian heritage of our Founders. Jay mentioned God and having faith in God 33 times in this address. This message was paid for by Continental Congress to be disseminated throughout the country. It made it to the Maryland Gazette. People knew that John Jay was a sincere Christian. This message did not keep him from serving as a Chief Justice- as a matter of fact he was chosen as the first Chief Justice.

This message is for all Americans. Jay outlawed slavery in the state of New York and started a Free African School in New York City. He was a good friend of William Wilberforce. Frederick Douglass gave a high compliment to John Jay as he gave the eulogy for his abolitionist son William Jay (the one born in 1789- when the new government started under the New Constitution.

John Jay's Christmas Address Dec. 23, 1776; Part I

John Jay's Christmas Address Dec. 23, 1776; Part II

John Jay's Christmas Address Dec. 23, 1776 Part III

Colonel John Haslet Fell into Delaware River in the Christmas Night Crossing Dec. 25, 1776

On Christmas evening, George Washington crossed the Delaware River in a surprise attack on the Hessian barracks at Trenton. One gentleman named Colonel John Haslet (from Delaware) crossed that evening and had the misfortune to fall into the icy waters. This man served as an ordained Presbyterian minister in Ireland after graduating from the University of Glasgow in 1749 and served as minister in Ireland. His wife died in 1752 and he eventually came to America around Milford, Delaware around 1757. He served in the Pennsylvania militia in the French and Indian War at Fort Duquesne. In 1764 he married Jemima Molleston. He changed his profession to medical doctor (one guesses because of the ordeal of his wife's death). John Haslet survived the icy river incident, “suffering much from exposure and marched ten miles on severely wounded legs and fought a battle without complaint.” (David Hackett Fisher, Washington’s Crossing, New York: Oxford Press, 2004, p.219). Imagine falling into an icy river, living to tell about it and then march ten miles and then fight in the battle! Haslet fought about a week later at the battle of Princeton and died in that battle. As we remember the sacrifice of many soldiers that paved the way for our nation’s freedom, Let us remember John Haslet’s determination and sacrifice as he and others crossed the Delaware on Christmas night 1776.