Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton- Biography

Alexander Hamilton, one of America’s founding fathers, married Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. Elizabeth grew up in a pleasant and secure environment because she was born into a wealthy and distinguished family. Despite the fact that the ‘French and Indian War’ was fought near her childhood home, she was unaffected by the upheaval caused by the conflict. She also witnessed the ‘American War of Independence and the establishment of the United States of America. Her husband was one of the first presidents of the United States’ closest advisers, so she watched the birth of a new nation up close. Elizabeth, an effervescent socialite, and social worker gathered donations for a variety of charitable organizations. She was a founding member and the first deputy director of New York City’s first private orphanage.

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton- Birth, Age, Ethnicity, Siblings, Education

Elizabeth Schuyler was born on August 9, 1757, in Albany, New York Province, British America. During the ‘American Revolutionary War,’ her father, Philip Schuyler, was the Continental Army General. Her mother, Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler, was from one of New York’s most politically powerful and wealthy families. Elizabeth had 14 siblings, but only seven of them lived to adulthood.

Her parents were from affluent, influential, and distinguished households. Elizabeth Hamilton’s father, like many other landowners in the 18th century, had a large number of slaves. Her family was a member of the ‘Reformed Dutch Church of Albany.’ A deep and unshakeable faith instilled in her as a youngster would play a significant role in her life for the rest of her life.

Elizabeth would frequently accompany her father to crucial meetings when she was a little girl. When Benjamin Franklin visited her family for a short time, she had the opportunity to meet him.

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton- Relationship, Married Life

She traveled to Morristown, New Jersey, in 1780 to visit her aunt Gertrude. During her stay in Morristown, she met her future husband, Alexander Hamilton, who was camping there with George Washington and his men at the time. Hamilton was one of General George Washington’s aides-de-camp at the time.

Elizabeth and Hamilton married in April 1780, with her father’s consent, who was in Morristown as a representative of the ‘Continental Congress.’ Hamilton, along with the Army, left town in June 1780. Hamilton, who remained in Morristown, corresponded with her fiancé via letters.

Elizabeth and Alexander Hamilton married on December 14, 1780, at the ‘Schuyler Mansion in Albany. Hamilton returned to Washington’s troops after a brief honeymoon spell. Elizabeth afterward moved to New Windsor with her spouse. She began assisting her husband with his political writings, including a piece of his 31-page letter to Robert Morris, who would later become one of the United States’ founding fathers.
She gave birth to her first child, Philip Hamilton, in January 1782, who was named after her father. After the ‘American War of Independence concluded in 1783, Elizabeth and her husband relocated to New York City, where Alexander Hamilton began practicing law. Angelica, her second child, was born on September 25, 1784, and was named after her older sister.

Alexander, her third child, was born on May 16, 1786. In 1787, Elizabeth and her husband began parenting Frances Antill, the two-year-old daughter of Hamilton’s friend Col. Edward Antill. Frances remained with the Hamiltons until she was 12 years old when she moved in with her older sister. During her time with the Hamiltons, she was treated as if she were Elizabeth and Hamilton’s daughter.

In 1787, Elizabeth appeared for a portrait by Ralph Earl, who was imprisoned for debt. Hamilton had asked Elizabeth whether she would be interested in sitting for the painter, which would allow him to earn money to assist him to get out of prison. Elizabeth was more than willing to assist Earl, and he was eventually able to buy his way out of prison. She gave birth to her fourth child, James Alexander, on April 14, 1788.
The first president, George Washington, selected Alexander Hamilton as Treasury Secretary of the United States in 1789. She supported her husband’s political career and assisted him in some of his most important works, including George Washington’s farewell address. She gave birth to her fifth child, John Church Hamilton, in August 1792.

Alexander Hamilton had an affair with a young woman named Maria Reynolds in 1791. His affair with Reynolds was revealed in 1797 as part of his opponents’ plot to discredit him. Elizabeth left New York and returned to her parents’ home in Albany after Hamilton admitted to his one-year adulterous affair. On August 4, 1797, she gave birth to her sixth child, William Stephen, during her stay in Albany. In September 1797, she returned to New York to be with her husband, with whom she later reunited.

On November 20, 1799, she gave birth to her seventh child, a daughter named Eliza. On November 24, 1801, she lost her son Philip in a duel with his father’s political opponent. Philip (Little Phil), her eighth and final child, was born on June 1, 1802.
Her spouse died on July 12, 1804, as a consequence of gunshot wounds inflicted during a duel with the then-sitting Vice President of the United States, Aaron Burr. Elizabeth and her children were present at his bedside when he died.

Family, Old Age, and Death

• Hamilton’s estate was auctioned off after his death to settle his debts. The executors of her husband’s will purchased the estate, which was eventually transferred to her for half the price.
• She sold the estate and moved to New York City in 1833. For the next nine years, she shared the house with two of her children, Eliza Hamilton Holly and Alexander Hamilton Jr., and their respective wives.
• She safeguarded her husband’s legacy in the form of his writings, correspondence, and papers. She continued to support her spouse in the face of his detractors. Hamilton was so dedicated to her husband that she chose to wear a little amulet with a sonnet written for her by her husband during their courtship.
• She co-founded the ‘Orphan Asylum Society with three other women in 1806 and served as its first vice president. She was elected president of the society in 1821 and served as such until 1848 when she left New York. The organization continues to operate as a children’s social assistance agency.
• She relocated to Washington, D.C. in 1848. She continued to work for charity organizations and was instrumental in raising funding for the ‘Washington Monument.’ On November 9, 1854, at the age of 97, she died in Washington, D.C. Her lifeless remains were interred in New York City alongside her husband’s tomb.
• Many well-known actresses have played Elizabeth in films, television series, and plays. She is frequently presented as Alexander Hamilton’s loving wife, who assertively supported him during his lifetime and safeguarded his memory after his death.

Also Read, Donovan Clingan, Mackenzie Grimsley, and Katyajin.