‘We Few, We Happy Few’

history + all my other interests

[darnskippy]

[foxconfessor]

Geordie Greep ph. Yuto Kudo

[gallows-polls]

John Church Hamilton to Charles Pickering, November 14th 1835

My dear Sir, — I trust that you will not infer from my delay in writing to you an insensibility to the kindness you showed me in my recent visit. You know my mania is my father's fame. It is an idolatry, and it is my happiness. I kiss the censer which I burn before his altar. With such feelings, you cannot conceive the effect upon me when I glance over your father's papers. How I traced from page to page his deep devotion to his friend ! How sedulous, how tender, how true ! And all this from Colonel Pickering, a man of whom I have said in my second volume, " Every throb of his strong heart beat for his country " ! The world has dwelt with delight on the scene of Agrippina with the ashes of Germanicus : More fcralis rdiquias sinu ferret, incerta ultimis anxia sui; but what were my feelings when I saw in the privacy of your father's papers, without motive and without self, that he seemed to have carried my father's ashes inurned in his heart ! For the enjoyment I have received from this circumstance I humbly thank you. Yours truly,

J. C. Hamilton.

Source: (x)

[gallows-polls]

Crazy that John Church Hamilton disinherited half of his family by the time he died

[gallows-polls]

When JCHs estranged grandchildren (who were born at William’s cabin in Wisconsin after John Cornelius and his wife were sent out West by JCH in the late 1830s) came to help with Eliza Holly’s funeral and John’s son William Gaston got into a “dispute” with James’ son Alex and George Lee Schuyler over it…

[gallows-polls]

Crazy that John Church Hamilton disinherited half of his family by the time he died

[aaronburrssexdungeon]

JC Hamilton quote about suicidal Burr really backfired on his ass because 200 years later me and the hamburr girlies are mooning over it and weaving webs and conjuring up outrageous lore. and we're right.

[aaronburrssexdungeon]

here's the real story

[aweekofwonder]

Freja Beha Erichsen for Berdorf Goodman

[gallows-polls]

PORTRAIT OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON JR FOUND!!!!

[gallows-polls]

like hellooo!!!

[gallows-polls]

PORTRAIT OF ALEXANDER HAMILTON JR FOUND!!!!

[kinglua]

this man must have bled and cummed dollar bills

[lanfykins]

Whut.

[dearestcorrespondence]

Eliza Hamilton Holly to Catharine Cochran, [Undated]

Sunday afternoon

My dear Aunt

It is almost an age since you have had a letter from the De menen casite, Therefore I flatter myself This will however dull be most exceptable_ particularly as it comes a mis sèle of tone and truth with a good portion of repore in your forgiving disposition. It is very ___ I have been very silent of my love and interest for and in you and its equally time that my time to ever occupied, and my memory too, in recalling my past pleasures and peopling my rooms with those who have loved to occupy them with me. Now what have you to say ___ to acknowledge that it is better to have your spirit than your body which I know has been voluntarily and involuntarily with no. Mama has just entered and inquiring my occupation to and note at this moment is mingling in memory. her spirit with you, with both feet placed on the hearth, looking just as the day when you left her_

My labours are accomplished, and the work ready, for publication_ John is well and has precisely the same_ I have the money somewhat the worse for the labours of the summer.

As to myself if the a subject of interest to you_ I have withdrawn entirely from the world_ not even intimacy visits and early receiving them. It is quite possible we shall visit New York in the spring to be present at Schuyler's wedding. My friend Cousin is still the same faithful friend looking forward to serve me so long as my presence reminds him his little friend is still in existence. As I do not toil the senate I rarely see him. A gentleman called ms me that mount to accompany me to church_ a primal of William's who has heard of him since the family_ he says he has entirely recovered his health and want an office_ Which I have procured for him a rather It has been promised to me Surveyor General of California. Our winter has been mild we have a Hall stove and lite in the back parlour on the old carpet. A horse keeper and manservant being the only change since you left to_ How are the balies and their mothers you send not me word of them in your last letter, be not so naughty in your next_ and let me know, as I have done, have Matters thrive with you_

Mama's love to all and mine with lest wishes for present and future happiness

E. Hamilton Holly

Mama has just gone to her room, her presence confused my pen and inquire still more bewildered the sense of my note_ We have had Angelica here. She looks remarkably well as do Mrs. Millen and her husband. The quality of Washington pleases her very much_ her wealth enables her to enter in it, and her husband ___ it, our Councils have been disputed and parties are very excited_ Clay's resolutions have amameliorating effect, people talk of a compromine, but say his solution with not ___. Aideu again it is night and my eyes are not as alarmed as when they commenced the paper_

E. H. H.

[yr-obedt-cicero]

It looks like Eliza must have taught her daughter Dutch, as “De menen casiste” supposedly means “The mean chaste”. Which implies Holly was using a teasing tone to her aunt when referring to herself as the mean chaste (I mean she was the one to lecture John about the biography, seems like she was often chastising her family or friends).

I think this letter may also relay some confirmation that Holly assisted in writing the biographies with John. It was theorized because she scolded him for not finishing it on time, but with her statement about labors being ready to be published, and then follows it up by talking about John seems like confirmation she at least had part in writing it.

This letter was likely written sometime in the spring of 1850, as she mentions Schuyler getting married—likely referring to her nephew, Schuyler Hamilton, who married April 3, 1850. Not sure which cousin she is referring to, perhaps one of her Aunt Angelica's children.

It's nice to see Holly in contact with William, there isn't much surviving evidence any of the other brothers kept in contact with him.

Additionally, it's refreshing to see Holly paying attention to politics. Despite most of her education being unknown, she writes beautifully, and seems knowledgeable.

[dearestcorrespondence]

James Alexander Hamilton to Philip Hamilton II, [November, 1859]

Sunday Evening

My dear Philip

I cannot say how deeply I deplore Johns course it must put upon him a lasting disgrace_ I did hope and believe that this miserably small property would have been settled without contraversy What a trifling sum is he to get rid off_ The articles he has purchased would in any commercial establishment or Public Auction sell at the least for 2 or $300 and he is to pay $400 the difference is $100 or $200 and he deems to impute to you unfairness for the paltry sum of $50 or $100_ This is the most unworthy business have met with pray you to bear with meakness & patience all that he may say or do Forbearance is your duty to yourself & to him. In your letter of last Evg to Alexander you refer to my going down on Monday My rides say Tuesday as the time Table is changed will be at Chambers st until 1/4 past 10 o'clock A M._ I hope you will be there at that time as I have an engagement shortly after that in the upper part of the City....

From

JAH

Philip Hamilton Esq

James A. Hamilton Nov 1859

Johns conduct about furniture

[gallows-polls]

This is so dramatic - “it must put upon him a lasting disgrace”. Over furniture !!

[madamejumel]

Portrait of John Church Hamilton by Henry Inman. Date unknown. [source]

[madamejumel]

[1] Philip “Little Phil” Hamilton (1802-1884) - the youngest son of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (aged 78). 

[2] Philip’s two children with his wife Rebecca McLane: Louis and Allan (aged seven and three) - also the youngest Hamilton grandchildren. 

[3-4] Captain Louis McLane Hamilton (1844-1868). Civil War veteran.

[5-6] Dr. Allan McLane Hamilton (1848 - 1919). Physician, alienist, author. 

[madamejumel]

“It affords me great pleasure to know Mr. Hopkinson has undertaken to write the life of Genl. Hamilton, not only because his fine talents will enable him to do justice to the work, but because he admired, in common with every American patriot, the virtues, and the distinguished talents of that Great man. […] I do not know whether I have ever yet acknowledged my obligation to you for the seeds you were so good as to send me; if I have not, permit me now to do it, and to assure you that my silence did not proceed from unthankfulness for the favor. The corn met my approbation so fully that I shall plant the whole of my crop, at one farm, next year, of that kind — It comes very early, & the ear is of good size. Present my best regards & wishes to my favourite Eliza and believe me, good friend, that nothing could afford me a higher gratification than to pass a day or two with you and her at the Grange — I have not heard of or from William since he went into the wilderness.”

—

Bushrod Washington to Elizabeth Hamilton, Mt. Vernon, Dec. 14, 1819.

note: Bushrod Washington was a nephew of George Washington. “Mr. Hopkinson” is Joseph Hopkinson, one of the many people who attempted to write an early biography on Alexander Hamilton - but nothing came of this, despite Elizabeth’s efforts. “My favourite Eliza” is Elizabeth’s youngest daughter Eliza, who was 20 years old at the time - and “William” is William Stephen, Eliza’s older brother, who had ditched his studies at West Point in 1817 and migrated to Illinois.

[gallows-polls]

John Cornelius Hamilton was lowkey messy as hell for naming John Church Hamilton’s first grandchild after his brother that he looked down upon

[theoburrsvirginitybalcony]

I supported Burr even when I thought he killed Hamilton on purpose