Young Life and Marriage

Young ELizabeth
A young Elizabeth Hamilton, painted by James Sharples, c. 1795. Source.
Born on August 9, 1757 in Albany, New York, Elizabeth Schuyler was the daughter of the Revolutionary War General named General Philip Schuyler and Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler, one of the richest families in the state of New York. She was the second child in the family, following Angelica Schuyler, and was sometimes called “Eliza” or “Betsy”. When Elizabeth was twenty-two, she met Alexander for the first time. Alexander was an orphaned immigrant from the island of Nevis, which was part of the British West Indies, and he worked for General George Washington, a man that the Schuyler family highly praised. Elizabeth adored Alexander from the start, and her family did as well. Alexander shared the same political beliefs as the Schuyler’s, and had been through the military, similar to his future father-in-law. Although there is speculation that Alexander married Elizabeth for her family’s money, the letters he wrote to her demonstrate the opposite. In one letter, he writes ...you engross my thoughts too entirely to allow me to think of anything else.” The pair was finally married on December 14, 1780, when Elizabeth was twenty-three.

Infidelity and Tradgedy

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton Widowed
A widowed Elizabeth Hamilton Source

Even though Alexander proclaimed his love for Elizabeth countless times throughout their union, Alexander disregarded his commitment when he became unfaithful. Between the years 1791 and 1792, Alexander had an affair with a woman named Maria Reynolds, and was blackmailed for it by Maria’s husband, James Reynolds. Alexander ended up paying around one thousand dollars, but Alexander publicly confessed the affair by publishing his personal account. This devastated Elizabeth, and she burned nearly all the letters Alexander ever wrote her. However, they remained together, and her decision to stay with him saved Alexander from losing his reputation and credibility. Elizabeth faced even more obstacles later in live. In 1804, Alexander and her son, on separate occasions, died in duels. Alexander was shot by Aaron Burr, a politician Alexander had quarreled with for years. This left Elizabeth with little to no money and children to raise, the youngest of which was two.

An orphanage similar to the one Elizabeth owned
An orphanage similar to the one Elizabeth owned. Source

A Lasting Legacy

Living most of her widowhood in poverty, Elizabeth remained active in charitable organizations, specifically the New York Orphan Asylum Society. Through this organization, she was able to found the first private orphanage in New York City, and another one in Washington D.C.. She was there in 1807 when the orphanage laid its first cornerstone, and she was indefatigable in her efforts to raise money and support the society, becoming its director in 1821. She remained involved until she was ninety. Also known for bringing homeless children into her home, she ended up adopting one child. The orphanage was bought by a family services company called Graham Windham, which continues to serve thousands of families and children each year. Many of her contemporaries praised her for her work, and in reply, she is noted saying “My Maker has pointed out this duty to me, and has given me the skill and inclination to perform it.” While doing this, she was also repairing her husband’s reputation, preserving his papers and letters. She sent questionnaires to many of his former colleagues to verify details in Hamilton’s letters and affairs. After hunting for a suitable editor, her son, John Church Hamilton, edited the collection, which was finally completed in 1861. Through these efforts, Elizabeth created a legacy for herself and for her husband, one that continues to the present. While others would have wallowed in their sorrows after facing so many obstacles, she thrived and prevailed, becoming a noteworthy character in history.