She married Hamilton in 1780 and he died in a duel in 1804. .css-gk9meg{display:block;font-family:Lausanne,Arial,sans-serif;font-weight:normal;margin-bottom:0;margin-top:0;padding-top:0.25rem;-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-gk9meg:hover{color:link-hover;}}@media(max-width: 48rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.15;margin-bottom:0.25rem;}}@media(min-width: 40.625rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1rem;line-height:1.2;margin-bottom:0.625rem;}}@media(min-width: 64rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}@media(min-width: 73.75rem){.css-gk9meg{font-size:1.25rem;line-height:1.2;}}'Creed III' Is a Big F*ck You to Rocky, Watch All 'The Lord of the Rings' Movies In Order, Heres How to Watch All the Batman Movies in Order, The 78 Best Documentaries on Netflix to Watch Now, The Hilarious Reason Why Chris Pine Cut His Hair, Chris Pine Tells All About Harry Styles SpitGate, Movie Sequels That Are Better Than the Original, 40 Photos That Prove Sly Stallone Was a Style Icon. In real-life Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton lived to. Also known as Eliza or Betsy, she was from a prominent Dutch family in Albany, New York. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law. Her oldest daughter, Angelica, suffered a nervous breakdown after her brother Philip's death. These figures indicate the enormously high death rate among young children. Eliza was beside him as he died. The Hamilton Free School, established in northern Manhattan (not far from where the couple had lived) offered education to students of families who couldnt afford private education for their children. In 1801, their eldest child, Phillip, died in a duel at at just 19-years-old. The character grows quite fond of her friend Alexander Hamilton (Lin-Manuel Miranda), but ultimately backs off when he begins a romance with her sister Eliza (Phillipa Soo). Hamilton died from wounds received during the duel in July 12, 1804. 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. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved. [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. Catherine, also known as Kitty, was the daughter of one of New York States oldest, richest and most prominent Dutch families. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton - Quiet Heroines A slight inheritance from Philip Schuyler helped with that, as did the private raising of money from Hamilton's friends that enabled Elizabeth to stay in the house she and Hamilton had shared. 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. Not even wealth could lower that very high death rate. Embrace all my darling Children for me. She was portrayed by Eve Gordon and was referred to as Betsy. In case you're unfamiliar, the show tells the story of America's revolutionary era through the lens of Alexander Hamilton, and his journey from penniless immigrant to founding father. History of the Republic would set the bar for future biographies of Alexander Hamilton that would grow as time went on. ", 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. A lifelong reader who was largely self-educated, he soon set his sights far beyond his tiny island home. Catherine,. Eliza would have grown up around slavery as her father was a slave owner. A chronicle of Rensselaerswijck, c. 16481656, For over three decades, NNI has helped cast light on America's Dutch roots. [citation needed], In 1787, Eliza sat for a portrait, executed by the painter Ralph Earl while he was being held in debtors' prison. [38] Hamilton resigned from public office immediately afterwards[39] in order to resume his law practice in New York and remain closer to his family. By 1801, Peggy had been ill for two years. With my last idea; I shall cherish the sweet hope of meeting you in a better world. Lin-Manuel Miranda's Hamilton .css-umdwtv{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#FF3A30;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:background 0.4s;transition:background 0.4s;background:linear-gradient(#ffffff, #ffffff 50%, #d5dbe3 50%, #d5dbe3);-webkit-background-size:100% 200%;background-size:100% 200%;}.css-umdwtv:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-position:100% 100%;background-position:100% 100%;}may focus on its namesake founding father, but the hit musical also tells story of his wife, Eliza, played by Phillipa Soo in the original Broadway production now streaming on Disney Plus. According to documents unearthed in the early 1900s by the New-York Historical Society, Eliza started out by finding a small house near Fort Washington, the Revolutionary War fort that was located at the intersection of present-day Fort Washington Avenue and W. 183rd Street, to be repurposed as a schoolhouse. Whether Elizabeth received this as sisterly banter or something more serious is not known; one of her few surviving letters does say that marriage made her "the happiest of women. History, Archaeology & Art illuminate a Life on the Hudson, New Amsterdam Kitchen Good-natured though somewhat serious, she was at ease in the outdoors and devout in her Christian faith. Hamilton would reach the heights of government and power but be tripped up by his own arrogance, ambition and hubris. By early 1777, hed made enough of a name for himself that several Colonial generals asked him to join their staffs. She was rich, he was poor. The first blow was struck in March 1801, when Elizabeth lost her sister Peggy after a long illness. Here's what you need to know about the real-life founding mother. Both were descendant from third generation Dutch immigrants. The real Eliza Schuyler died at the old age of 97, and outlived the musical's other characters. All of the scholars came from the locality between High Bridge and Kingsbridge, he recalled many years later. Peggy Schuyler was born in Albany, New York on September 19, 1758, the third daughter of Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler (1734-1803) and Philip Schuyler (1733-1804), a wealthy patroon and major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolution. For sixteen years, she lived in Europe with her British-born husband, John Barker Church, who became a Member of Parliament. After the war he was active in both local and national politics, even serving as a U.S. senator from New York from 1789 to 1791 losing his seat to none other than Aaron Burr (who would eventually kill his future son-in-law Alexander in a duel). And I am grateful . Two years later on July 12, 1804, Hamilton died during a duel with Aaron Burr. document.documentElement.className += 'js'; After moving to Washington, D.C., she helped Dolley Madison and Louisa Adams raise money to build the Washington Monument. The organization still exists today, as the children and families-supporting New York City non-profit Graham Windham. [27][28], For other people named Elizabeth Hamilton, see, Last edited on 25 February 2023, at 21:19, Margarita "Peggy" Schuyler Van Rensselaer, Learn how and when to remove this template message, George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation, "Hamilton, Elizabeth Schuyler (09 August 175709 November 1854), statesman's wife and charity worker", "Women of the Republican Court: Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (17571854)", "Mrs. Philip John Schuyler (Catherine van Rensselaer)", "Schuyler-Malcolm-Cochran Family Papers: Manuscripts and Special Collections: New York State Library", "Dutch Reformed Church In Albany, New York", "Guide to the Records of Graham Windham 18042011", "To Alexander Hamilton from James McHenry, 3 January 1791", "Letter from Henry Knox to Alexander Hamilton, 24 November 1794", "Letter from Alexander Hamilton to George Washington, 1 December 1794", "Letter from Alexander Hamilton to Angelica Schuyler Church, 6 March 1795", "To Alexander Hamilton from John B. [3] She is recognized as an early American philanthropist for her work with the Orphan Asylum Society. The Van Rensselaers of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck were one of the richest and most politically influential families in the state of New York. The Grange, their house on a 35-acre estate in upper Manhattan, was sold at public auction, but she later repurchased it from Hamiltons executors, who felt that she could not be dispossessed of her home, and purchased it themselves to sell back to her at half the price. [25] On September 25, 1784, Eliza gave birth to her second child, Angelica, named after Eliza's older sister. On September 25, 1784, Eliza gave birth to her second child, Angelica, named after Eliza's older sister. Later she was able to buy it back because executors decided that she could not be publicly dispossessed of her home. 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. [citation needed] The New York Orphan Asylum Society continues to exist as a social service agency for children, today called Graham Windham. 2023 A&E Television Networks, LLC. In those roles, she raised funds, collected needed goods, and oversaw the care and education of over 700 children. Elizabeth Schuyler was born on August 9, 1757, the daughter of the Revolutionary War leader Major General Philip Schuyler. Eliza Hamilton and her benefactors moved quickly, and by the end of May, theyd already built a one-room, 1,050-square-foot schoolhouse with a slanted roofbig enough for 40 to 60 studentsaround what is now Broadway between W. 187th and W. 189th streets. She's based (and born and raised) in Brooklyn, New York. Active Widowhood Alexander and Eliza married on December 14, 1780. Hamilton rose to become a Revolutionary War hero, an advocate for the Constitution, and a rescuer of the nascent American government from financial ruin. She is respected as an. The first, Elizabeth, named for Eliza, was born on November 20, 1799. Eliza Hamilton poured her energy into founding a free school and an orphanage in New York to help children in need. The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of Henry G. Marquand, 1881. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton Biography - Facts, Childhood, Family Life She also appears in the 2015 Broadway Musical Hamilton, written by Lin-Manuel Miranda. Elizabeth at the age of 94, three years before her death. Her father, Philip Schuyler, was a revered American Revolutionary war general, and her mother was. 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? In real life, two years after Hamilton's death, Eliza really did help to establish the Orphan Asylum Society of the City of New York, which still exists today as a family services agency named Graham Windham. While apart, Alexander wrote her numerous letters telling her not to worry for his safety; in addition, he wrote her concerning confidential military secrets, including the lead-up to the Battle of Yorktown that autumn. WATCH: Hamilton: Building America on HISTORY Vault. Eliza was a source of valuable advice and wisdom to Hamilton as his political career began to take off after the war. HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. Alexander Hamilton died on July 12, 1804, with Eliza and all seven of his surviving children by his side. Subscribe to NNI's e-Marcurius and DAGNN-L toreceive information about New Netherland-related events, activities, conferences, and research. [citation needed]. The True Story of Elizabeth Schuyler in 'Hamilton'. Before the duel, he wrote Eliza two letters, telling her: The consolations of Religion, my beloved, can alone support you; and these you have a right to enjoy. She died in 1854, at the age of 97, one of the nation's last remaining links to its founders. (As the musical shows, Hamilton also got pretty flirty with Eliza's vivacious older sister, Angelica. Meet the influential author and key figure of the Harlem Renaissance. Unlike two of Elizas sisters (including Angelica) who had eloped due to family doubts about their husbands, Eliza received her fathers blessing. While she was in her nineties she helped Dolly Madison to raise money for the Washington Monument. Still eager to find glory in battle, he turned them all down. One of the ways she found solaceand honored his memorywas to found two institutions in New York that supported lower-income children. She met Alexander Hamilton in 1780, when both were in their early 20s. Eliza died on November 9, 1854, at the age of 97. At that time she had been with the Society for 42 years. But while Hamilton came from an impoverished background, he had two key traits that would help propel him to the top intelligence and ambition. By focusing on children, Eliza found connection to her late husbands legacy. But the number of students quickly grew, that improvised setup wasnt adequate. [45] During this time, Alexander commissioned John McComb Jr. to construct the Hamilton family home. In short she is so strange a creature, that she possesses all the beauties, virtues and graces of her sex without any of those amiable defects which from their general prevalence are esteemed by connoisseurs necessary shades in the character of a fine woman.. And Eliza knew enough about his impoverished background to give cause for concern. The Van Rensselaers of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck were one of the richest and most politically influential families in the state of New York. The Real Story Of The Schuyler Sisters - BUST She was born inAlbany, New York To Philip Schyler and Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler. [citation needed] She was so devoted to Alexander's writings that she wore a small package around her neck containing the pieces of a sonnet that Alexander wrote for her during the early days of their courtship. Along with getting Alexander's works stored while Eliza was in her 90s, she remained dedicated to charity work. READ MORE: What Was Alexander Hamilton's Role in Aaron Burr's Contentious Presidential Defeat? A firm but affectionate mother, Elizabeth made sure her children had a religious upbringing, and ran the household so efficiently that an associate told Hamilton she "has as much merit as your treasurer as you have as treasurer of the wealth of the United States." She was buried in Trinity Churchyard in lower Manhattan, not far from the graves of her sister, Elizabeth . The following year, Jefferson supporter James Callender published a pamphlet accusing Hamilton of having skeletons in his own closet. 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.". She was the eldest daughter of Continental Army General Philip Schuyler, and a sister of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton and sister-in-law of Alexander Hamilton . In the first year, the society took in 20 children but had to turn away nine times as many, according to Mazzeo. In 1818, she opened the first school in the neighborhood of Washington Heights (where, decades later, Lin-Manuel Miranda would grow up). During her decades as a widow, she founded New York's first private orphanage, socialized with some of the most famous figures in American history, and worked to ensure that her husband and his contributions would never be forgotten. Elizabeth Hamilton died on November 9, 1854, at the age of 97. We may earn commission on some of the items you choose to buy. [10][11] Her upbringing instilled in her a strong and unwavering faith she would retain throughout her life. But Eliza, understandably, is devastated, and responds by burning all the letters that Hamilton has ever sent her. The Schuyler Sistersreal historical figuresshow us that those bonds can exist and are possible. He was born c. 1755 on the island of Nevis, in the British West Indies. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (1757-1854) was a philanthropist, wife to Alexander Hamilton, and mother of their 8 children. [citation needed] There she met Alexander Hamilton, one of General George Washington's aides-de-camp,[1] who was stationed along with the General and his men in Morristown for the winter. The story provides a snapshot of her own life following the loss of her husband, such as her work founding an orphanage in New York, and she also sings of being with Alexander again at some point in the future (with Miranda briefly re-joining her on stage). The women of Hamilton : Angelica, Eliza and Maria Reynolds a daughter, Eliza, on November 20, 1799. Hamilton, while envious of Andr for his actions during the war, promised Eliza he would do what he could to treat the British intelligence chief accordingly; he even begged Washington to grant Andr's last wish of execution by firing squad instead of by hanging, but to no avail. Hamilton followed three years later. She died aged 97, in 1854. When did Eliza Schuyler Hamilton have her second child? Angelica first appears in Hamilton during the song . Her lines in the play, "Im just sayin, if you really loved me, you would share him," are drawn from a letter the real Angelica wrote to Eliza, in which she joked, "I love him very much and if you were as generous as the Old Romans you would lend him to me for a while."). 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." She also met and became friends with Martha Washington, a friendship they would maintain throughout their husbands political careers. Elizabeth died in Washington, D.C. on November 9, 1854, at the advanced age of 97.