[runawayforthesummer]

How do you solve a problem like Alex Jr?  You cry

[runawayforthesummer]

“COL. JOHN CHURCH HAMILTON, lawyer, born in Philadelphia, Aug. 22, 1792, while his father was Secretary of the Treasury, died in Long Branch, N.J., July 25, 1882. He was one of the six sons of Alexander Hamilton, soldier and statesman. His mother was a daughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler. While the death of Alexander Hamilton, in consequence of the historic duel with Aaron Burr, left the family in straitened circumstances, the subject of this memoir was, nevertheless, able to graduate in 1809 from Columbia College. He was admitted to the bar, and engaged in the practice of his profession. During the War of 1812, he served as an aid on the staff of General Harrison, with the title of Colonel. Originally a Whig, he joined the Republican party before the Civil War, and admired and supported General Grant, and at one time he ran for congress. Marriage placed ample means at his command, and Colonel Hamilton then gave himself up to study and literary pursuits. In 1834-40, he published the “Memoirs of Alexander Hamilton,” in which he brought the life of his father down to the tragedy which ended it, but, with a delicacy of sentiment characteristic of him, made no mention of that event. His “Works of Alexander Hamilton,” in two volumes, appeared in 1851. In 1850-58, he published a “History of the Republic, as traced in the Writings of Alexander Hamilton,” in seven volumes. He was married Dec. 20, 1814, to Miss Maria Eliza Van den Heuvel, daughter of Baron John Cornelius Van den Heuvel, once Goevrnor of Dulde, Guiana, and a leading merchant of his day, who lived at the corner of Barclay street and Broadway and owned a handsome estate at Bloomingdale. Mrs. Hamilton died in 1872. Nine children survived their father: Alexander Hamilton of Tarrytown; Gen. Schuyler Hamilton, of Jamaica, N.Y.; Judge Charles A. Hamilton, of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin; William Gaston Hamilton, civil engineer and vice president of The Mexican Telegraph Co.; Elizabeth, who first married Major General Henry W. Halleck, and after his death Major General George W. Cullum; Mary E.. wife of Judge Charles A. Peabody; and Charlotte A., Adelaide, and Alice W. Hamilton.”

— America’s Successful Men of Affairs

[aaronburrssexdungeon]

“Burr’s peculiarly attractive manner was sketched by a person who remembered him, and communicated his impressions to a member of my family. ‘I was brought up,’ he said, ‘with horror towards Colonel Burr. I remember well the first time i saw him. I met him when walking with my mother in Broadway when I was about seven years old. I was attracted by this peculiar, foreign-looking man in the old-fashioned costume of tights and powder, and turned to gaze at him. He had also turned and stood looking at us. Always after, when we met him, I found that he looked after us with Curiosity. When I was old enough to understand the dreadful fate of his only child, to hear how lovely she was, these few meetings touched me sensibly. You know how fascinating he was to young men. Two very distinguished men of our State, who were much noticed by him when quite young, have told me of his rare attraction. When I inquired in what it consisted, one of them replied—in his manner of listening. He seemed to give your thoughts so much value by his manner of receiving, and to find so much more meaning in your words than you had intended; no flattery was more subtle.’”

— The Life of Alexander Hamilton, John Church Hamilton (via aaronburrssexdungeon)

[alexaderhamilton]

James Jr. and Alexander Hamilton

We don’t know much about the relationship between the brothers, James and Alexander Hamilton, except they became very distant once Alexander made his way to the colonies. In this post, I’m briefly analyzing this relationship, and more specifically, the only letter we have between them.

Keep reading

[madamejumel]

“My Beloved Son: How devotedly have I in my mind’s eye followed the movements of the ship that contained the favorite son of my beloved departed husband. How often must your mind have been raised to that Great Disposer of the universe who was guarding you on your perilous voyage. Could my wishes have wafted you more swiftly and smoothly than a bird, your passage would soon have terminated. I have greatly feared your delicate lungs would suffer from sea-sickness. Let me hear particularly from you, and all about my daughter and her children. I hope you will have time to examine the police of London. Something maybe observed beneficial to this city. My grand-daughters frequently visit me (the mother of their departed father claims a closer union); they are both in good health. Fanny has become a teacher in Dr. Hawks’ Sunday-school. This is very gratifying to Mrs. Sullivan. May the Almighty always guard and bless you, prays Your affectionate Mother, Elizabeth Hamilton.”

—

Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton to James Alexander Hamilton. New York, October 24, 1836. As published in the Reminiscences by James Alexander Hamilton (1869).

note: James A. Hamilton was visiting Europe with his wife and some of his children. “Fanny” is presumably Frances Hamilton Bowdoin, James’ second daughter, who was already married. Now at this point I’m really guessing, but “Mrs. Sullivan” might be one of Frances’ husband’s relatives (Frances’ husband was George R. J. Sullivan, who had changed his name to Bowdoin). “Dr. Hawks” is probably Francis L. Hawks.

[madamejumel]

Two miniature portraits by Aimée Thibault - [1] James Alexander Hamilton and [2] his wife, Mary Morris Hamilton. Date unknown. [sources: x, x]

[runawayforthesummer]

In his memoir, James makes a super passive-aggressive dig at Alex Jr. It sounds like Alex Jr. was the black sheep

He totally was!  And I don’t get why James wasn’t pissed at his other brothers for not being there when Eliza died. (He doesn’t appear to have the same issues with John C and Philip, anyway.)

I feel like there was some rivalry (though maybe one sided–I can’t always get a read on Alex Jr., but he basically wanted to skip town as soon as his dad died, which makes me wonder what was going on with him and his family.  But we also know he, like this entire fucking family, was very protective of his dad’s legacy and a very proud person.  So I don’t think he was anti-his family; he also lived with Eliza and Little Eliza in the 1830s) over who was sort of the alpha of the family, once Philip died and then particularly once Ham died.

I have theories that James wanted Alex Jr. to step up and be the older brother Philip had been.  But for whatever reason (whether personality; whether his own grief), Jr just couldn’t live up to the expectations James set for him.

Meanwhile, James seemed much more able to act out the role of the oldest child anyway (he even has Angelica and Eliza buried in his family plot in Sleepy Hollow; and he was helping to provide for Eliza, though Alex Jr. also helped her out!).  So I actually kind of think James should’ve sucked it up, accepted that Alex Jr. wasn’t who he wanted him to be, and run with the role that he excelled at anyway(acting as the eldest son), rather than constantly harping on Alex Jr. for not living up to unrealistic expectations.

This is the problem with hero worship of both an older brother who died young and a father who was uber famous.  And I don’t know how much Eliza helped with any of this either.  I mean, she wrote that “favorite son” letter while living with Alex!

[publius-esquire-deactivated2018]

It appears their sibling rivalry also had some political shit attached to it: for a while there Alex Jr. was a supporter of John C. Calhoun (yeah) just as James was a supporter of Andrew Jackson (yeaaaaah), which probably also contributed to some animosity between the brothers. There’s this one moment where James is helping Jackson and Van Buren work on a speech to get rid of the Bank of the United States, and Alex Jr. sent a letter to Biddle warning him that the permanency of the Bank was in danger, who didn’t believe him. And this is why you don’t let your kids become 19th century Democrats. 

And even when they later switched parties, their dig-wagging contest continued, as according to The Hamiltonian Tradition in the United States, 1804-1912, when James was writing in newspaper advocating for the use of black regiments against the Confederacy, Alex Jr. volunteered to lead one (tho he being like 77 at the time it didn’t actually end up happening).

[runawayforthesummer]

Alexander Hamilton Jr to Stephen van Rensselaer, 1806

Nov 12th 1806

Dear Uncle

I beg you to excuse the delay that has accidentally happened, in acknowledging the receipt of your letter, which came to my hand the 2d Nov.

Your reception of my request has encouraged me to hope you will continue your kind assistance till such time as it may be convenient to return the obligation from my industry which receives the approbation of Mr. Wolcott and my friends; and further that you will inform me, to what sum, I must limit my Expenses on a plan entirely independent of the Family.

I shall transmit to your consideration a plan I have thought best adapted to my future views, where it is properly arranged and digested; founded on the present aspect of my expectations; it portends much good fortune if carried into effect with wisdom, honesty and appreciation.

In thankful remembrances for your kindness receive my most grateful thanks for assisting me to appear in society worthy of a Father whom providence in its dispensations rescued from the iniquity and temptations that ____ around, to guard his virtue and reward his labours; his example I hope may be the subject of my constant emulation and respect. 

I remain respectfully your Obe Sev

and nephew

A. Hamilton

source: New York Public Library

[runawayforthesummer]

BTW if you want to know about Alexander Hamilton Jr running for office…

Insults and character assassination marked the earliest elections in Florida. The electoral race in 1823 for Florida’s Congressional Delegate in 1823 generated petitions accusing abuse of public office and threats of libel suits.

Florida became part of the United States in July 1821, and Floridians got their first opportunities to elect officials – that is, white male Floridians over 21.

The 1823 contest pitted St. Augustine’s home boy, Joseph Hernandez ,against Alexander Hamilton, Jr, an attorney for the United States and a land commissioner, Farquhar Bethune of Fernandina, and Richard K. Call of Pensacola. In St. Augustine, the election became a duel between the new arrivals, supporting Hamilton, and long-time residents, in favor of Hernandez.

Hernandez had been selected Florida’s first Territorial Delegate and was running to succeed himself. A territorial delegate represented the interests of his territory in Congress, but could not vote. Florida would not have a vote in Congress until it became a state in 1845.

Joseph Hernandez was born in St. Augustine while it was still under Spanish rule. He was part of the Minorcan community in the town. His parents immigrated to Florida from Minorca in 1768 as part of the workforce of Mediterraneans headed to establish the New Smyrna indigo plantation. The workers relocated to St. Augustine in 1777, and by the 1820s their descendants were known collectively as Minorcans.

The Minorcans stood firmly behind their favorite son. And the Minorcans held a grudge against Hamilton. As a land commissioner, Hamilton passed judgment on the validity of private claims for land owned during the Spanish years. The rumor got around that Hamilton threatened to deny land claims made by those who voted against him in the election for delegate.

A petition, written in Spanish and English, was sent to President James Monroe about the issue. The petition asserted that Hamilton did not “possess those good qualities that ought to adorn a public officer,” and asked that he be removed from office.

Hamilton was furious, disavowed the accusations and filed a libel suit against Eusebio Maria Gomez, the supposed rumormonger, and a suit for conspiracy against Gomez and Joseph Hernandez, the translator of the petition as well as an opponent.

The first Monday in June 1823 began the voting in the Florida Territory. For St. Augustine voters, the polls were open in Government House for three days.

When the votes were counted, Hernandez and Hamilton were neck and neck with Hernandez leading Hamilton by only three votes. But all the wrangling in East Florida handed the election to the candidate from West Florida, Richard K. Call. West Florida voted solidly for its only resident in the election. Only 9 votes were cast for Call in East Florida.

After the election, on June 24, 1823, Hamilton wrote to the president to defend against the “electioneering” charges and express his general displeasure. His letter reveals how much he was still smarting: “Permit me to add that this is a most despicable community, I mean the inhabitants of St. Augustine.”

source.

I found the link originally here.

[aswithasunbeam]

Hamilton’s last days, as described by his son, John...

Sunday, July 8, 1804: “[On] Sunday, before the heat of the day, he walked with his wife over all the pleasant scenes of his retreat. On his return to the house, his family being assembled, he read the morning service of the Episcopal church. The intervening hours till evening were spent in kind companionship; and at the close of the day, gathering around him his children under a near tree, he laid with them upon the grass until the stars shone down from the heavens.” (VII, p. 843)

Tuesday, July 10, 1804: “He…descended from his study, entered a parlour, and looking pensively, a few moments, upon one of his sons, then a child, as he leaned over his book, he smiling asked him if he would sleep with him. He soon retired, and placing his little hands in his own, he repeated with him the Lord’s prayer. His child fell asleep in his arms.” (VII, p. 847)

Thursday, July 12, 1804: “During the long—dreary—heavy night, he had some imperfect sleep; but the succeeding morning his symptoms were aggravated, though there was a diminution of pain. His mind retained all its usual strength and composure. The great source of his anxiety seemed to be in his sympathy with his half distracted wife and children. He spoke frequently of them –‘My beloved wife and children’ were always his expressions. But his fortitude triumphed over his situation. Once, indeed, at the sight of his children brought to the bedside together, seven in number, his utterance forsook him; he opened his eyes, gave them one look and closed them till they were taken away. He alone could calm the frantic grief of the mother: ‘Remember, my Eliza, you are a Christian,’ were the expressions with which he frequently addressed her with a firm voice, but in a pathetic and impressive manner, in words and tones never to be effaced from the memory.” (VII. pp. 855-856)

And, the most heartbreaking part, after seven volumes of carefully leaving himself out of the book, John Church Hamilton ends the biography with this line:

“At two in the afternoon, my father died.” (VII p. 856).

Source: “The Life of Alexander Hamilton” by John Church Hamilton

[deadbishop-blog]

“My fine Grandson Alexander Accompanies his Aunt Church tomorrow on a vist to my Sister they will proceed to Utica and visit the canal Companys works at the falls. I have directed him to examine those works and to bring me a report of the progress of the works prosceeding there. My James will on Monday go to Eastown to pass some days with his Uncle and Couzin Phill. I will not part with those Children until the disorder has so far abated as that they may with safety return to their Studys in NYork. […] It would amuse my Dear Angelica to take a tour to this place, and be greatly pleasing to me, cannot you find a conveyance for her.”

—

From Philip Schuyler to Alexander Hamilton, 3 August 1803.

Lots of people. “Grandson Alexander”, “My James”, and “Dear Angelica” are Alexander Hamilton’s children (Alexander is 17, James 15, and Angelica 18 years old). “Aunt Church” is Angelica Church. “Couzin Phill” could be literally anyone.

[deadbishop-blog]

“ALEXANDER HAMILTON, JR. [From the New York Sun, February 18th.] A remarkable old gentleman sat in an easy chair before a warm fire in the front parlor of 87 Clinton Place yesterday afternoon. From the top of his big, full forehead, curled soft white hair to the edge of his snowy beard, and his skin was smooth. His small hands, however, were wrinkled, and the veins distended their covering. His broadcloth suit, satin neck tie and kid slippers were black, and accurately fashioned. He directed his brilliant eyes toward a Sun reporter, and smiling dreamily, asked him to be seated. “Are you not Alexander Hamilton’s eldest son, sir?” the reporter asked. “Yes, l am Colonel Alexander Hamilton, Jr., the eldest son of Alexander Hamilton,” said the old gentleman, looking into the fire, and folding his hands in his lap, as though preparing for a long cosy chat, “and I am about 90 years of age. I am the oldest of eight children, two daughters and six sons. All of these except the former and the youngest of the latter are alive. My brother Philip, two years my junior, was killed in 1802 in a duel by a Mr. Acker. A political difference was the cause of the fatal meeting. Cooper, the tragedian, prepared and seconded Acker, and a young friend performed the same services for my brother. Shortly after the duel Acker died, as everyone said, of a broken heart. By the way, please write a note to A. T. Stewart, and tell him that his picture of Alexander Hamilton and his wife is a perfect caricature. My father was born on the island of Nevis, in the West Indies, of a Scotch father and a French mother. From the latter he inherited the financial talent that he afterward displayed in the office of Secretary of the Treasury. At a very early age he left his home to enter the employment of a Mr. Cruder, of Santa Cruz. Whenever his employer was away, my father took charge of his extensive business. In a year or two commercial life became distasteful to him, and came to this city. He went to Princeton College, and asked to be examined for entrance. As his application was made after the beginning of a regular term it was rejected.””

—

Sacramento Daily Union, Volume 1, Number 48, 17 April 1875. Part 1.

So this is Alexander Hamilton Jr.’s interview, published some months before his death. It’s interesting, I like reading about how Hamilton’s family remembered (or liked to remember) their father’s life. Also, there are a couple of weird things…

…like how Alexander Jr. calls himself “the eldest son” and says Philip was “two years his junior”. Well, okay - I’m not really surprised a ninety-year-old gets some seemingly basic facts wrong. It may have also been the reporter’s mistake. And that bit about A.T. Stewart and his picture gets mentioned several times during the interview.

Anyway, it’s a long article so I decided to break it into several parts.

[deadbishop-blog]

“[Elizabeth Hamilton’s] intellect seemed to be as clear at the last moment of her life as it ever was. It was my good fortune to have almost the entire care and management of her affairs. The elder son, Alexander, was away from home attending to his commercial affairs. I remained at the Grange with her as long as she remained there, attending to the cultivation and household, and after her father’s death I became useful in collecting her rents and selling such parts of her property as her needs required.”

—

Reminiscences of James A. Hamilton.

James throwing casual shade at Alexander Jr. “Oh mom died, luckily I was there, because Alex was too busy to care about his aged mother, what a surprise.”

[deadbishop-blog]

“My dear Philip, I hope you have taken measures to prove the will without delay [undecipherable] will render delay unnecessary. I hope you will sell all the furniture at Auction & [undecipherable] after distributing the articles bequeathed then, the work is done except so far as refers to your payment to Alex & wife during their [undecipherable] Interest on $7000 as to that if he should talk to you about security altho he has no right to it – tell him I will be security for you or that you will purchase an annuity to him & his wife of $420. Here is a man who has the audacity to ask his brother who is Executor to give security for the [undecipherable] when he was administrator – squandered the Estate leaving a larger debt unpaid and his to be prosecuted. Such impudence be excused. How [undecipherable] forgive but not forget. Let me know if I can be of use to you. Yours truly, J. A.H.”

—

James Alexander Hamilton to his brother Philip Hamilton, November 1, 1859.

Some background: Eliza Hamilton Holly had died a month earlier, and the surviving Hamilton children - Alex, James, John and Philip (“Little Phil”) - and their families were trying to reach a satisfactory conclusion on how to deal with her will. James is less than happy about Alex’s (and his wife’s) demands, and poor Philip has to serve as a mediator.

[my--little-lion]

I was looking for some newspaper reports about the duel and I greatly appreciated the drama here

[generalham]

“Alexander Hamilton was a loving father. No matter how incessantly his children followed him about, or how often they interrupted him, he kept his temper. Proud though Hamilton was of his appearance, he did not mind having his neatly powdered hair mussed, and he let the boys and Angelica climb all over his immaculate clothes. He seemed actually to enjoy dressing and undressing Angelica’s doll, as often as his little daughter demanded, or getting down on all fours in the parlor to play bear with his sons.”

— Alexander Hamilton’s Wife: A Romance of the Hudson by Alice Curtis Desmond (via saint-olga)

[tracksofhistory]

“Laurens and Hamilton hit it off. Hamilton showed a strong attachment to the South Carolinian that he never demonstrated even to the woman he later married. When Laurens was absent, Lafayette filled his place in Hamilton’s affections. The three wrote gushy letters to each other. Hamilton routinely addressed Laurens as “my dear” and vowed his “love.””

— David A. Clary, Adopted Son: Washington, Lafayette and the Friendship that Saved the Revolution