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Elizabeth Schuyler Is Born
On August 9, 1757, Elizabeth Schuyler was born. She was the second daughter of Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler. Eliza mainly grew up in her father's grand mansion in Albany. -
Elizabeth Meets Alex
Elizabeth met Alexander Hamilton at a party at George Washington's headquarters. They quickly started a courtship that involved writing love letters back and forth to each other very often. They had a very short engagement. -
Elizabeth Marries Alex
Just months after meeting, Eliza and Alex got married. They were wed in Eliza's father's home after Alexander had gotten his blessing. Eliza was the only one of her five sisters who had gotten her parents permission before getting married. -
Eliza's First Child
Elizabeth gave birth to her first child in 1782. She named her child Philip after her father. Philip grew up and eventually went to Kings College. He was the first of eight children (Philip [1782-1801], Angelica [1784-1857], Alexander [1786-1875], James [1788-1878], John [1792-1882], William [1797-1850], Eliza [1799-1859], Phillip II [1802-1884]). -
The Reynolds Affair
Alex had an affair on his wife with Maria Reynolds. She was 23 years old and he was 35 years old. Eliza did not find out about the happenings until Alexander published a confession called the Reynolds Pamphlet. -
Peggy Dies
Eliza's younger sister, Margarita (Peggy), died at age 42. Peggy had died of an illness that had been affecting her for the worse. Alexander was in Albany on business and happened to be with her when she died. Alex wrote frequent letters to Eliza, relaying the terrible news. -
Philip Dies
In 1801, Philip Hamilton challenged George Eacker to a duel. Four months before challenging him to a duel, Eacker had given a speech suggesting that Philips father, Alexander Hamilton, had wanted to use the United state's army to intimidate political opponents. Philip was shot and killed in the duel. -
Alexander Dies
Eliza's husband, Alexander Hamilton, was in a duel against Aaron Burr. Burr had challenged Hamilton to a duel after multiple public insults made by Hamilton. They dueled in Weehawken near the same place that Philip had dueled years before. Alex was shot in the lower abdomen and died the next day (July 12). Eliza was with him when he died. She was so distraught that her friends feared for her sanity. -
The Orphanage
Eliza had raised money to open an orphanage for children. In 1806, her dream came true. Eliza, Isabella Graham, and Joanna Bethune opened an orphanage called the Orphan Asylum Society. -
Angelica Dies
Angelica Schuyler Church, Eliza's older sister, died at age 58. She was buried in Trinity Church. Following her wishes, she was buried near her sister and brother-in-law. -
Eliza Moves
In 1848 Eliza moved to Washington D.C. She moved in with her daughter, Eliza Hamilton Holly, who had been recently widowed. -
The Washington Monument
Eliza continued telling George Washington's story by helping raise money for the Washington Monument. In 1848, she attended the ceremony that was held for the monument. At the ceremony, Eliza rode in with President Polk, and multiple future presidents. -
Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton Dies
On November 9, 1854, Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton died at the age of 97. She is buried in Trinity Church near her husband, Alexander.
