[19] Soon, however, Washington and Hamilton had a falling-out, and the newlywed couple moved, first back to Eliza's father's house in Albany, then to a new home across the river from the New Windsor headquarters. Elizabeth Hamilton petitioned Congress to publish her husband Alexander Hamilton's writings (1846). The Meaning Behind Eliza's Gasp at the End of Hamilton - Oprah Daily Elizabeth at the age of 94, three years before her death. [4] Contrary to the musical, the Schuylers had a total of eight children who survived to adulthood, including three sons. According to Mazzeo, Hoffman had discovered five children weeping over the body of their dead mother in a slum tenement, which led them to realize the need for an orphanage in the city. [54] With Eliza's help John C. Hamilton would go on to publish History of the Republic of the United States America, as Traced in the Writings of Alexander Hamilton and his Contemporaries. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (1757-1854) was a philanthropist, wife to Alexander Hamilton, and mother of their 8 children. After moving to Washington, D.C., she helped Dolley Madison and Louisa Adams raise money to build the Washington Monument. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. Elizabeth Hamilton died on November 9, 1854, at the age of 97. [citation needed] The New York Orphan Asylum Society continues to exist as a social service agency for children, today called Graham Windham. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, portrayed by Phillipa Soo in the original Broadway run of Hamilton, was not just the wife of one of America's founding fathers. One of the ways she found solaceand honored his memorywas to found two institutions in New York that supported lower-income children. This is trueshe really did save his writings and fiercely defended his legacybut she was also a force for change in her own right. She was portrayed by Eve Gordon and was referred to as Betsy. Hamilton met Maria Reynolds in Philadelphia in 1791, when she visited the then-Secretary of the Treasury to request financial support for her struggling family. She then sold it and moved into a townhouse owned by her son, now known as the Hamilton-Holly House, where she lived for nine years with two of her grown children, Alexander Hamilton Jr. and Eliza Hamilton Holly and their respective spouses. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! (Enter your ZIP code for information on American Experience events and screening in your area.). She also worked to support her husband's legacy, disputing the claim that James Madison, not Hamilton, was the author of George Washington's final Farewell Address, and by having his papers collected and edited. Philip also hailed from a prominent family and he commanded a militia during the French and Indian War of the 1750s. The following year, according to another newspaper account in the New York Tribune, the school building was destroyed in a fire. For the rest of her life, she experienced what Hamilton biographer Ron Chernow describes as an "eternal childhood," unable to live independently and referring always to her dead brother as if he. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton - New Netherland Institute Church, 13 July 1797", "Letter from Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, 21 July 1797", "Draft of the "Reynolds Pamphlet", July 1797", "Printed Version of the "Reynolds Pamphlet", 1797", "Guide to the Records of Graham Windham 1804-2011 MS 2916", "Who tells Eliza's story? As biographer Ron Chernow has written, the deeply religious widow also believed passionately that all children should be literate in order to study the Bible.. Peggy Schuyler: Things You Probably Don't Know | Mental Floss Why Elizabeth Hamilton Is Deserving of a Musical of Her Own In 1818, she opened the first school in the neighborhood of Washington Heights (where, decades later, Lin-Manuel Miranda would grow up). Over time Eliza and Alexander reconciled and remained married, and had two more children together. In August, her request was granted and Congress bought and published Alexander's works, adding them to the Library of Congress and helping future historians of Hamilton view his works today. She married Hamilton in 1780 and he died in a duel in 1804. In his 2004 biography of Hamilton, which Miranda used as the basis for the show, Ron Chernow wrote that Eliza destroyed her own letters to Hamilton, but her reasons remain unknown. She would spend much of her long widowhood working to secure Hamilton'splace in American history. Two years later on July 12, 1804, Hamilton died during a duel with Aaron Burr. available to watch from the comfort of your own couch, Eliza destroyed her own letters to Hamilton, save his writings and fiercely defended his legacy, Orphan Asylum Society of the City of New York, the first school in the neighborhood of Washington Heights, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads. Eliza didnt believe the charges when they were first leveled against her husband, but in 1797, Hamilton published a pamphlet, later known as theReynolds Pamphlet, admitting to his one-year adulterous affair. Philip J. Schuyler, father to Angelica, Eliza, and Peggy, was a Revolutionary War general, U.S. senator, and businessman, much beloved and respected by his community. A single mother, Rachel struggled to provide for Alexander and his brother before she died in 1768, leaving him an orphan. As was common for young women of her time, Eliza was a regular churchgoer, and her faith remained unwavering throughout her lifetime. [27] In October that year, Angelica wrote to Alexander, "All the graces you have been pleased to adorn me with fade before the generous and benevolent action of my sister in taking the orphan Antle [sic] under her protection. Take this quiz about the debate over the Constitution. [20] There Eliza busied herself in creating a home for them and in aiding Alexander with his political writingsparts of his 31-page letter to Robert Morris, laying out much of the financial knowledge that was to aid him later in his career, are in her handwriting. She survived a miscarriage, her daughter's mental health issues, and, within four years, the deaths of her son, husband, sister, mother, and father. While gone on the prisoner exchange, Hamilton wrote to Eliza continuing their relationship through letters. 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Hamilton insisted upon his innocence, and the matter was kept private for years. Oldest sister Angelica formed a deep friendship with Hamilton, and the two would exchange political and personal advice until Hamiltons death. He had particularly fond dealings with Philip Schuyler and Elizabeth's eldest sister Angelica, a beautiful and charming woman. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881. Summer 2020 has been effectively canceled due to the pandemic, but this weekend, there's reason to celebrate at home. Maria's husband, James Reynolds, caught wind of the affair, and began shaking Hamilton down for money. In one letter Angelica told Elizabeth that she loved Hamilton "very much and, if you were as generous as the old Romans, you would lend him to me for a little while." In the year before the duel, Eliza's mother Catherine had died suddenly,[47] and only a few months after Hamilton's death Eliza's father died as well. By now everyone knows that Eliza Hamilton, the wife of Alexander Hamilton, burned her husband's love letters before she diedand November 9th will be the 162nd anniversary of her death on that day in 1854 at the age of 97. She is respected as an early philanthropist for her work with the Orphan Asylum Society. But Monroe had made copies of Hamilton's letters to Maria, and sent them to his arch-rival, Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton: What Happened To Angelica Schuyler After The Musical - ScreenRant One popular theory is that "Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story" ends with Eliza finally dying, 50 years after her husband's fatal duel. She made huge sacrifices to send the children to school in town and to keep them at home with her, Tilar J. Mazzeo, author of the 2019 biography Eliza Hamilton: The Extraordinary Life and Times of the Wife of Alexander Hamilton, explains. In November 1804, Gen. Philip Schuyler died, leaving Elizabeth Hamilton without both of her parents. READ MORE: What Was Alexander Hamilton's Role in Aaron Burr's Contentious Presidential Defeat? Her relationship with Hamilton grew quickly, even after he left Morristown, only a month after Elizabeth, 22 years old, arrived there. Eliza Hamilton Family, Life & Death | Who was Alexander Hamilton's Wife She moved to Washington, D.C. in 1848 to live with a daughter, became a celebrated guest at the White House, and died just a few months after her 97th birthday. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton was born on August 9, 1757 in Albany, New York and died on November 9, 1854 in Washington, D.C. at the advanced age of 97. She died aged 97, in 1854. Despite the move, Eliza retained a connection to people who lived a few miles away from her old home. Eliza wanted a full official apology from Monroe which he would not give until they met in person to talk about Alexander shortly before his passing. Elizabeth was born in Albany, New York, the second daughter of Continental Army General Philip Schuyler, a Revolutionary War general, and Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler. [21], Soon, however, Eliza moved again, this time back to her parents' house in Albany. There were 14 siblings in total. In the first year, the society took in 20 children but had to turn away nine times as many, according to Mazzeo. The real Eliza Schuyler died at the old age of 97, and outlived the musical's other characters. Active Widowhood We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. Before their eighth child was born, however, they lost their oldest son, Philip, who died in a duel on November 24, 1801. Elizabeth Hamilton (ne Schuyler /skalr/; August 9, 1757 November 9, 1854[2]), also called Eliza or Betsey, was an American socialite and philanthropist. My dear Hamilton is fonder of me every day.". Elizabeth outlived two of her children. He then returned to Morristown where Elizabeth's father had also arrived in his capacity as representative of the Continental Congress. Hamilton followed three years later. ", At 22, Eliza met Alexander Hamilton, who was at the time serving under General George Washington, and fell in love "at first sight," per historical accounts. While she was in her nineties she helped Dolly Madison to raise money for the Washington Monument. Her oldest daughter, Angelica, suffered a nervous breakdown after her brother Philip's death. and Barbara Bushs Amazing Love Story. Elizabeth was portrayed by Doris Kenyon in the 1931 film, Alexander Hamilton. Born in August 1757, she was one of eight surviving children of Philip Schuyler and Catherine Van Rensselaer. The following year, a group of her husbands deep-pocketed friends bought the house and property from Eliza for $30,500 and promptly sold it back to her for $15,000, so that she would have money to take care of herself and her family. Eliza was an ardent supporter of her husband, but it wasnt always plain sailing in their marriage. Both her mother and father came from wealthy and well-regarded families. She met Alexander Hamilton in 1780, when both were in their early 20s. Meet the influential author and key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Eliza was, at the time, pregnant with their sixth child. The scandal cost Hamilton any chance at the presidency, and the humiliating news became public when Eliza was pregnant with their sixth child. Their last child, born the next June in 1802, was named Philip in his honor. . Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton - Wikipedia Elizabeth gave birth to their first child, Philip,in 1782, and seven more would follow over the next two decades; the Hamiltons also raised the orphaned daughter of a friend for 10 years. When he visited the boarding house where she was staying to deliver the funds, Maria invited him to her room, where, as Hamilton would later write in his pamphlet about the affair, it became "apparent that other than pecuniary consolation would not be unacceptable.". [23], After Yorktown, Alexander was able to rejoin Eliza in Albany, where they would remain for almost another two years, before moving to New York City in late 1783. [citation needed], Like most Dutch families of the area, her family belonged to the Reformed Dutch Church of Albany, which still stands; however, the original 1715 building, where Elizabeth was baptized and attended services, was demolished in 1806. Angelica Schuyler And The True Story Behind 'Hamilton' Almost none of Elizabeth's own correspondence has survived, so her personality is gleaned largely from the impressions of others. [12] She was said to have been something of a tomboy when she was young;[13][pageneeded] throughout her life she retained a strong will and even an impulsiveness that her acquaintances noted. Born in 1757, Eliza was the second daughter of Revolutionary War general Philip Schuyler and Catherine van Rensselaer, a member of one of New York's richest families. "I Meet You in Every Dream" She was born inAlbany, New York To Philip Schyler and Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler. A lifelong reader who was largely self-educated, he soon set his sights far beyond his tiny island home. Alexander Hamilton died on July 12, 1804, with Eliza and all seven of his surviving children by his side. According to some accounts, the family was spared from any losses thanks to her sister Peggy's quick thinking: she told the soldiers that her father had gone to town to get help, causing them to flee from the area. Just a teenager, he made a name for himself writing pamphlets and articles supporting the Revolutionary cause. [40], In 1797, an affair came to light that had taken place several years earlier between Hamilton and Maria Reynolds, a young woman who had first approached him for monetary aid in the summer of 1791. Why Eliza Gasps At The End Of Hamilton - ScreenRant See how you do with some of the questions a petitioning citizen must answer. [53], Eliza defended Alexander against his critics in a variety of ways following his death, including by supporting his claim of authorship of George Washington's Farewell Address and by requesting an apology from James Monroe over his accusations of financial improprieties. Later she was able to buy it back because executors decided that she could not be publicly dispossessed of her home. So James decided to take his story to Hamilton's political rivals, and was paid a jail cell visit by none other than future president James Monroe. In 2010, it partnered with the New York State Office of Cultural Education to establish the New Netherland Research Center, with matching funds from the State of the Netherlands. Eliza and the other activists soon set out to raise $25,000 to build a bigger facility on a donated parcel on Bank Street in Greenwich Village. A: At the time that I published my biography of Hamilton in 2004, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton was a complete blank in the American imagination. Elizabeth remained dedicated to preserving her husbands legacy. Thrust into harsh financial straits, Elizabeth then witnessed her father's death in November 1804 and had to use both strength and ingenuity to keep her remaining family afloat. As wealthy socialites, both Schuyler sisters frequently attended officer's balls where they mingled with eligible young soldiers. The pair had eight children, and also took in Fanny Antill, the orphaned toddler daughter of a Revolutionary War colonel. On September 25, 1784, Eliza gave birth to her second child, Angelica, named after Eliza's older sister. Eliza would weather a storm of pain and embarrassment following very public revelations of Hamiltons adultery. [16] In fact, they had met previously, if briefly, two years before, when Hamilton dined with the Schuylers on his way back from a negotiation on Washington's behalf. While in Philadelphia, around November 24, 1794, Eliza suffered a miscarriage[37] in the wake of her youngest child falling extremely ill as well as of her worries over Hamilton's absence during his armed suppression of the Whiskey Rebellion. Two of those deaths could have been quite easily avoided if the male culture had been less prone to duels. [citation needed], Eliza remained dedicated to preserving her husband's legacy. She also outlived her fifth child, her son William Stephen who was born on August 4, 1797 and died on October 9, 1850. The two became extremely close. Eliza Hamilton wanted to find a way to honor Hamilton's memory, in the place where their last home had been together, says Mazzeo. Along with getting Alexander's works stored while Eliza was in her 90s, she remained dedicated to charity work. Mother, Supporter, Humiliated Wife She had outlived her husband by 50 years, and had outlived all but one of her siblings (her youngest sister, Catherine, 24 years her junior). But despite these differences, the pair formed a lasting bond that has been the subject of numerous books and the award-winning musical, Hamilton. "She has good nature, affability and vivacity unembellished with that charming frivolousness which is justly deemed one of the principal accomplishments of a belle. She had eight children with Hamilton during their rather short marriage of 24 years. A 1781 painting of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton by Ralph Earl. Eliza died on November 9, 1854, at the age of 97. History, Archaeology & Art illuminate a Life on the Hudson, New Amsterdam Kitchen The Grange, their house on a 35-acre estate in upper Manhattan, was sold at public auction; however, she was later able to repurchase it from Hamilton's executors, who had decided that Eliza could not be publicly dispossessed of her home, and purchased it themselves to sell back to her at half the price. A few years later she became the co-founder of the Orphan Asylum Society. [citation needed], In 1787, Eliza sat for a portrait, executed by the painter Ralph Earl while he was being held in debtors' prison. As the New York Herald reported in 1856, the one-room school was antiquated and so dilapidated that it was unfit for use, though it still had a student body of 60 to 70 children. [22] Meanwhile, the war came close to home, when a group of British soldiers stumbled upon the Pastures, looking for supplies. Did Eliza Hamilton remarry after Alexander died?