#elizabeth schuyler hamilton

[icarusbetide]

#save elizabeth schuyler hamilton from male biographers 2024

Just got pissed off so bad. I'm in the middle of reading Burr, Hamilton, and Jefferson: A Study in Character, which presents an intriguing argument that Burr deserves to be put back into the Founding Father Pantheon, so to speak. The author doesn't shy away from hitting hard against the idea that Jeff & Ham were morally superior to Burr, and I was on board! Ready to go!

But then. During the discussion of the women in each of their lives, the author decides the best way to further promote Burr's attitude towards women compared to Jefferson and Hamilton is to disparage Martha Jefferson & Elizabeth Hamilton?

On Martha Jefferson:

Martha Wayles Skelton had been a widow, and none of Jefferson's biographers, even the resourceful Fawn Brodie, has been able to tell us much about her—from the solitary letter remaining to us in her hand or the accounts of their contemporaries—beyond the general impression that she was handsome, musical, and frail.

On Elizabeth Hamilton:

Hamilton's Elizabeth was an heiress, the daughter of an upstate squire, Philip Schuyler, with Livingston and van Rensselaer connections. She was plain, straightforward, loyal, and neurasthenic, endured his flagrant and frequent infidelities, and lived to the brink of the Civil War.

I'm sorry, I don't know enough about Martha J. to protest to her characterization, but I think I can say something about Eliza. Plain? Neurasthenic? And once again, annoyed at the lack of citation or evidence for flagrant and frequent infidelities - but putting that aside, even if it were true, I don't like how her staying in her marriage is subtly implied to be some failure or at least less interesting than a woman who didn't "endure" them. There's a lack of consideration of both her own strength & the societal circumstances of that time that would have influenced her actions.

On Theodosia:

Her character emerges from their large and fervent correspondence. She was confident, well connected, well read, beautiful even after a burn scarred her face, witty, worldly, and full of expectations of him.

Okay. The author saw the point and it sailed over his head. "From their large and fervent correspondence" is key here. Like I said earlier, I don't know enough about Martha Jefferson, but I bet that "handsome, musical, frail" is probably not an all-encompassing picture of her. The similarity between her and Eliza? We don't have the letters that they wrote to their husbands. It's unfair to judge Theodosia (don't get me wrong! she was well read and intelligent, that's not what i'm denying) from her correspondence with Burr, but then not acknowledge that the lack of that perspective would impact how we view the other two women.

And to top it all off:

Unlike Jefferson's and Hamilton's, Burr's character was molded by the love of a woman of immense force and intelligence.

Neither Hamilton nor Jefferson married a woman who evidenced such force of character and independence of view.

Jesus Christ. There's plenty to criticize about Jefferson & Hamilton, and I really wanted to see a well-reasoned argument about Burr's character and whatnot but this lacks nuance and is unnecessarily dismissive. It pisses me off that a book that seems determined to break down the idolized version of Hamilton, somehow ends up using his wife to further their angle, just like biased Hamiltonian biographies. In both cases, Eliza is the plain, unintelligent, steadfast wife. For sympathetic authors like Chernow, that's somehow justification for the Reynolds affair. For Roger G. Kennedy, that's used in an argument against her husband. "Let's talk attitude towards women! Hamilton & Jefferson didn't have intellectual wives! Point for Burr!"

I don't know nearly enough about Martha Jefferson to say anything of merit, but really?

To give credit where credit is due, I think Kennedy is trying to make the point here that Theodosia Bartow Burr was a major influence on Burr, as "Burr's character blossomed in the radiance of his wife and mentor". He also goes on to talk about various genuine reasons why Burr's attitude towards women is noteworthy. But I still don't like the way he dismissed the other two women as what? Not smart enough to help their husbands' characters blossom? Maybe there's merit to this book outside of this one section, The Women, but right now I'm not in the mood. Am I being dramatic? Idk.

[fullofobsessions]

A rare documentation of Elizabeth Schuyler:

[46ten]

Elizabeth S. Hamilton at the Constitutional Convention, June 1797

Elizabeth Schuyler attended a diplomatic meeting at the age of 6; as a teenager, she hosted politicians solo; her relationship with George Washington predates Alexander Hamilton's. As a married adult, she stood in for Martha Washington, she led the Republican Court in NYC, she led charitable endeavors, and she hosted any number of national and international figures, from bankers to politicians, etc. U.S. presidents through the 1840s paid homage to her. But as so many women of the early Republic were, she was pretty deliberately erased. Particularly excised were the contributions and political activism of the Federalist wives - the amount of influence these women had could not be discussed.

And so by the late 20th century, we have historians writing that ESH didn't like politics and was sickly, usually pregnant, and often absent from her husband, but at least she tried to make a nice cozy environment for the Great Alexander Hamilton to go home and snuggle in, or something like that, as though it didn't occur to these historians that Elizabeth Schuyler likely could have married any number of wealthy, accomplished (and distant relative) men and lived a very comfortable life of luxury in Albany. And yet she looked at the super-charismatic guy who everyone said was brilliant, but with no steady income, not even a lawyer yet and with no ties to Albany, but noted as highly ambitious and said, "yep, he's the one!" Spoiler: she did it because she was ambitious herself and recognized that theirs could be a strong strategic/political partnership, in addition to a strong marriage. (I'm sure it was also good for her ego that he declared himself her best friend after only a few weeks and was so far gone he couldn't remember a military password after an evening with her.)

This erasure led to the common assumption that Elizabeth was not in Philadelphia at the Constitutional Convention in summer 1787. However, statutesandstories.com has posted about new evidence - really, a more careful examination and reading of old documents - that ESH was in Philadelphia in June 1797, and was likely in the city at the time of AH's June 18th speech to the convention. The theory is that she traveled with the Knoxes from NYC to Philadelphia, as she's mentioned in a letter from Knox that she is traveling with them, and she's definitely with AH on June 19th, as they are recorded in a journal/diary at a social engagement also attended by George Washington. Additional conjecture that this letter from AH can be more tightly dated to this period, considering these lines:

I cannot yet determine what will be our stay here and consequently I can make no determinations about my love; but I feel that it will be impossible for me to submit to a long separation however inconvenient it may be to incur the expence which will attend her coming here. 

Which may align with EH borrowing money for this travel from her brother-in-law, Stephen van Rensselaer, also possibly more tightly dated to this period.

Please check out the well-cited posts (3 parts): 1, 2, and 3

Although no Hamilton biographers have discussed Eliza’s trip to the Convention in June, historians from Independence National Historic Park (INHP) concluded in the 1980s that Eliza was one of as many as nine wives who likely “attended” the Convention.  Part 4 (pending) will discuss Eliza Hamilton’s relationship with the other eight wives who likely were in Philadelphia during the Convention, including Rufus King’s wife, Mary Alsop King, who was a native New Yorker. 

This makes total sense to me - not just the documentation presented, but that she would have shown up to perform soft politicking/diplomacy around her husband's activities, in addition to a possible role assisting him in the drafting and editing of his speech. The daughter of Philip Schuyler and Catharine Van Rensselaer wasn't going to sit in NYC on the sidelines for this - she bolstered Hamilton not only in the ways she was personally helpful to him (emotionally, but also going over his writings and speeches with him), but through her representation of the wealthy Dutch-American interests, showing that Hamilton was a junior delegate from NY with a lot of political and financial power backing him.

As the blog states:

Yet it remains possible that Eliza may have helped her husband prepare for his one-of-a-kind speech on June 18. Moreover, it is felt that the possibility of informal, behind-the-scenes contributions by Eliza cries out for further examination.

Cause ya know, she's not discussing new threads for her needlework and thoughts on child-weaning at all these social gatherings or standing in for Martha Washington and chatting with Martha's husband about the best ways to make pastry.

And I just love if she helped advise him on a speech that only the "rich and well-born" can make a strong government. I'm sure they felt quite haughty and proud and said, "let's make another baby!" (James Alexander Hamilton was born around 9 months later.)

[wardrobeoftime]

Hamilton + Costumes

Elizabeth “Eliza” Schuyler Hamilton’s blue dress.

// requested by anonymous

[yr-obedt-cicero]

Remember kids, you don't have to put down or degrade a cannon historical relationship just because you like another. It still annoys the living shit of me when I see people claiming Hamilton never truly loved Elizabeth and merely wanted her money, just to promote Lams. Sure, money was an addition he wanted, and it's not like he so humbly married into one of the wealthiest family's in the colonies with nothing but selflessness in mind. And gracefully declined the inheritance like some Disney prince. But that does not mean he didn't love Elizabeth, or for who she was. He loved her greatly, and the inheritance was only a side addition, not the complete goal in mind.

Fact of the matter is; believing Hamilton didn't truly love Elizabeth does not make Laurens' and Hamilton's relationship seem any more or less plausible. Claiming he never loved her does not mean he loved Laurens any more. And honestly, he adored them both. But villainizing his marriage isn't going to help cease the disbelief of his relationship with Laurens. Their undeniable affection and devotion should be a clear sign already.

You can't look at the 30 June 1780 letter from AH to JL where he dully describes his soon-to-be wife and take that as all the proof you need. You need more widespread research if you're going to make such severe claims.

[pub-lius]

how amrev figures would respond to you asking their pronouns bc even tho this has probably been done before, all of my opinions are right and i preach the gospel /j

*disclaimer: this is a joke really only meant for my mutuals but whatever idrc. do not take this seriously. see this post before responding pls tysm ily*

washington: oh, he/him i suppose..

hamilton: who’s asking 🤨

jefferson: he/him!!! you know i actually just read a book about the neurology of gender-

madison: …um… jefferson, what are my “pronouns”?

laurens: the male ones 😐 im clearly a man, a straight man(*internalized homophobia and transphobia*)

lafayette: whatever you’d like to use! i really don’t mind ☺️

tilghman: uh he??? im not sure what to say 😅 whichever ones washington uses i guess

eliza hamilton: she/her, darling. what are yours?

dolley madison: she/they. go ask james, i want to see if he knows what they are

martha washington: hm well i suppose they would be she/her

benjamin franklin: he/him, you know when i was a young man- *some useless story with a moral that doesn’t make sense*

baron von steuben: he/him for strangers, they/he for friends 😉

adams: i dont have “pronouns”, im a man

burr: 👁👁

abraham woodhull: um… *reads the back of his hand* hel him?

benjamin tallmadge: he/him. is there anything else i can help you with?

henry laurens: you must be from london *shakes head in disappointment*

[18th-century-bitch]

This is the exact song John Laurens sings when he found out about Elizabeth

[yvisoul]

since i've been reading a lot of Hamliza books lately, i'm making a list of all the books i could find that are about/include Hamliza, (or at least Eliza because there isn't much about her!) if anyone is interested:

I, Eliza Hamilton by Susan Holloway Scott

Alex & Eliza (A Love Story, Love & War, All for One) by Melissa de la Cruz.

Hamilton's Choice by Jack Casey

The Hamilton Affair by Elizabeth Cobbs

My Dear Hamilton by Stephanie Dray, Laura Kamoie

A Master Passion by Juliet Waldron

Hamilton's Heart & Hamilton's Hope by Mercy Madison

Elizabeth Schuyler: A Story of Old New York by Mary Elizabeth Springer

Sharing Hamilton by Brian L. Porter, Diana Rubino

Hamilton's Battalion: A Trio Of Romances by Rose Lerner, Courtney Milan, Alyssa Cole

(will be updated if i find any other) + (and if you know another book, let me know!)

[froggywritesstuff]

Blow Us All Away | Philip Hamilton (Chapter 11)

(Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10)

‘Two Years Later’

"Philip is coming, hoooooooooooooome!" Angelica sang as she danced about the house.

"Heard you the first time Angie," Y/N laughed.

Angelica paused her dancing and stood in front of Y/N, "I'm surprised you haven't joined me yet. He's your partner, anyway."

"Oh, believe me, Ange, I can't wait for him to come home again. But, before I can dance with you, I need to head up to the market."

"Well, can I come with you?" Angie pleaded, giving Y/N her best puppy dog eyes.

Y/N chuckled, "Oh no, Ange. It's that time of year, you know?"

Christmas had always been Angelica's favourite time of the year. Even more ever since Philip was off at college, and he could only come home at Christmas.

What really made it special, was that she got to spend it with her family, something she felt she rarely got to do, with how big her family was.

Angelica broke into the widest grin Y/N had ever seen, but before Angie could even beg, Y/N cut her off, knowing what she was going to say, "And I'm not telling you what I'm getting you."

Angie's smile disappeared, "Oh, come on, Y/N! You know I hate secrets!"

"Well, I've kept your last three Christmas presents a secret, surely you must be used to it?"

"Exactly! You've kept them a secret every year... you can't just give me one year with no secret?"

"Unfortunately, yes. It's the law." Y/N explained.

"Wha- no, there's no such law,"

"Yeah, well, it's a thing," Y/N said with a shrug.

"Oh, yeah, it's definitely a thing," Angie nodded.

(if you understand this reference, please be my friend)

"But can I at least come with you? I can help you with everyone else's gifts?"

Y/N bit the inside of her cheek as she thought.

She didn't have the best idea for the other children's presents, and she knew she would need help.

With a reluctant sigh, she agreed, "Fine. But I'm not letting you find out what I'm getting you."

"If you say so," Angie giggled, before the two left the house, and ventured toward the markets.

As soon as the opened the door, the cold air hit them like a brick, "Jeez it's cold," Y/N shivered, "I'm going back inside and getting a coat, you want one?"

"No thanks," Angie replied, staring at the snow slowly falling from the sky.

Y/N chuckled, "Nice one, your coats are in your drawers right? Or did you finally start hanging them in your closet like any normal child?"

Angie sent Y/N a pissed off look, "Was that really necessary?"

"Answer the question."

Angelica just sighed, "I'm serious, Y/N, I don't want a coat!"

"Fine!" Y/N sighed, knowing she would regret that.

—————

The two were walking around in the markets, as Angelica was just trying to hide her intense shivering.

"Angie, I swear you, could've got a coat," Y/N sighed.

"I-I told you, I-I didn't ne-need one, a-and I st-still don't need one." she retorted, her teeth chattering like crazy.

"Don't be ridiculous Ange, you can just take my coat," Y/N offered, but to no avail.

"N-no thank you," Angie said, "And b-besides, you-you're wearing one of Ph-Philip's coats. I-I don't want anyone to think I-I'm dating a man."

"Right," Y/N nodded hesitantly, before a stall caught her eyes, holding something that would be perfect for Angelica, "Hey, you go ahead, I'm gonna get something." she told Angelica, who looked up at her, eyes sparkling.

"F-for me?" she asked hopefully.

"It won't be unless you go." Y/N laughed.

"Fine." she sighed, before walking ahead without Y/N.

Y/N walked up to the stall, when the man behind the counter eyes her suspiciously, "Aren't you the same kid who used to steal from here?"

Y/N just rolled her eyes, "So what if I was, so what if I wasn't. I've got the money, you've got the stuff I want." she finished, reaching into her tote bag and slamming a small pouch of coins onto the counter.

Yes, Eliza insisted that Y/N take some of her money, for Christmas presents, as much as Y/N protested.

—————

While Y/N was speaking with the worker, Angelica did as she was told, and wandered around aimlessly.

A stall filled with birds caught her eye, and she quickly walked toward it.

As she browsed around, a familiar voice interrupted her, “Angelica?”

Angie whipped around, to face the one and only Theodosia Burr (Jr), in her beautiful sky blue dress and coat. Her thick brown hair was tucked in a low ponytail, small strands floating near her cheeks.

”Theo? Wh-what are y-you doing here?” She asked, already feeling the blush rise to her cheeks.

Theo giggled, quickly hiding her hands behind her back, “Oh, you know….”

Angelica laughed, which filled Theodosia with butterflies in her stomach, “W-whatcha got there, Th-Theo?”

Theodosia smirked, which only flustered Angelica even more, “You’ll find out soon enough,”

Angelica sighed, “Se-seriously, what’s everyone’s deal wi-with hiding th-their Christmas presents from me?”

Theo chuckled, “You understand that’s a regular thing, right?”

"I-I get it, b-but I j-just wa-wanted a-a break thi-this year." Angelica stuttered, making Theo giggle.

She took whatever she was hiding behind her back and hid it in her skirt pocket so Angelica wouldn't see.

"Here," she began, a warm smile on her face as she took off her coat and handed it to Angelica, "Take my coat."

"I-I couldn't," Angie said, even though she really needed it.

"Please, Ange, you're freezing." she insisted.

Angelica's cheeks warmed up at her nickname as she smiled ear to ear. She liked her name just fine, but when she called her by her nickname? It was like heaven.

She could go on all night long about how much she loved the way it rolled off her tongue so effortlessly.

"Angelica?" Theodosia asked, a confused look on her face.

"Huh?" Angie asked, getting snapped out of her thoughts, only to be met with a laughing Theodosia.

"You're day dreaming on me, Ange."

"Oh, sorry!" Angie cried, her face flushed with embarrassment.

Theo only laughed more, "Don't apologize, it's adorable." she said, before blushing madly, almost as much as Angelica - if that were even possible.

"O-oh," she stuttered, this time it wasn't just because of the cold, "Uh, th-thanks. B-but you can keep your coat."

"Don't be ridiculous." she scoffed, a warm smile on her face as she practically threw her coat at Angelica.

Angelica reluctantly slid on the coat, a small smile tugging at her lips.

The smell of Theodosia instantly warmed her up, bringing a blush to Angelica's cheeks.

"Thanks," she said barely in a whisper.

The two stared into each other's eyes, as if they were the only two people alive, until the butterflies and blushes were too much for Angelica.

"Well, I-I should probably go." she stuttered, slowly walking away.

"O-oh, yeah. Well, I'll see you around then," Theo said, trying to hide her disappointment.

"Oh, and don't forget to write me," Angelica called, receiving a wide smile from Theodosia, before she disappeared into the crowd.

Angie eventually made her way back to Y/N, who had most likely hidden her Christmas presents in her tote bag.

"We ready to go now?" Angelica asked, slightly out of breath.

"Yeah-" Y/N went to answer but stopped when she saw Angelica's red cheeks, "Damn, Angie, who were you talking to?"

"No one!" she answered quickly, before speed walking away, Y/N eventually following suit.

Angie was walking hastily, trying not to give anything about Theodosia away.

Unfortunately, the bright blush on her cheeks and her newly borrowed coat was all Y/N needed.

"Who were you talking to just then?" Y/N asked with a smirk.

"Oh, just a friend." she replied, too quickly once again.

Y/N spun on her heel to walk backwards, and spotted a girl in a sky blue dress, the blush on her cheeks almost as bright as Angelica's, "Is that her coat?"

"N-no!" Angie cried, not even wanting to look back, practically accepting that Y/N knew.

"Oooo," Y/N sang, "Does Angie have a girlfriend?"

"Y/N," Angelica hissed, "You can't say things like that!"

"Is it true though?"

Angelica looked down at her shoes, "Maybe..." she mumbled.

Y/N smiled ear to ear, "Angie!" she cheered, "Why didn't you tell me sooner?"

Angie stopped in her tracks and looked up at Y/N, "Y-you're ok with it?"

"Uh, of course I am!" Y/N stated like it was obvious.

A small tear rolled down Angelica's cheek, "S-so, you're not gonna tell my mama and papa?"

"Of course not, Ange," Y/N began, her voice as sweet as honey, "You can tell them whenever you're ready."

"Really?"

Y/N playfully rolled her eyes, "For the millionth time, Ange, yes! I think it's beautiful."

Angelica smiled and let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding, "Thank goodness," she sighed.

"I love you, Ange. You know that?"

Angelica smiled wider, if that were even possible, "I love you too." she beamed, pulling Y/N into a tight hug.

When they finally pulled away from each other and wiped away some tears, Y/N smirked, "Now I get to annoy you about you and your girlfriend!"

Angelica smiled at the thought of calling Theodosia her girlfriend, but it disappeared just as quick as it appeared when she realized what Y/N had said, "Oh, god," she groaned, "What have I done?"

"You've given me too much power, Angie. You have no idea what you've released into the world. You and..." Y/N paused, before facing Angelica, "What's your girlfriend's name?"

Angelica's smile reappeared and her stomach filled with butterflies, "Theodosia Burr. Jr." she added.

"Oh shit," Y/N whispered, "Doesn't your father hate her father?"

"Well," she squeaked, "Hate's a strong word."

"That's why I used it."

"I prefer the term, 'frenemies'." Angelica explained, but was only met with a blank look from Y/N.

"Uhhhhh." she mumbled.

"It'll catch on." Angelica said with a smirk.

"Will it?"

"Yes." she answered 'matter of factly'.

"Well anyway," Y/N began, changing the subject, "You guys got a classic Romeo and Juliet story going on, so that'll be super cute."

"Y/N! They both died in the end!"

"They were straight, Angie. You guys will do a much better job."

"Why does that make me feel better?"

Y/N just shrugged.

—————

Angelica and Y/N finally arrived back home, the Hamilton family waiting for them.

"Where have you two been?" Eliza asked.

"Sorry we ran late, we just had some last minute things to do," Y/N answered quickly, glancing at Angelica

"Oh, that's fine dear," she responded, before her smile turned into a smirk, "I just thought you would've wanted to see Philip when he came home."

"He's home?" Y/N and Angie asked in unison, to which Eliza responded with a laugh.

"Yes, he's up in his room, just waiting for you two."

Y/N's eyes widened, while Angelica sprinted upstairs without a second thought.

Angelica burst through the door, practically jumping to Philip to hug him.

"I missed you so much, Philip!" she squealed as Philip slowly hugged her back.

"I-I missed you too, Ange," he chuckled, "But do you think I could breathe for a second?"

"No," she answered with no hesitation, before she whispered, "Did you get it?"

Angelica didn't even have to look up to know that her brother was blushing, "Yes, now keep quiet about it."

As the two pulled away from each other, they saw the door slowly open revealing Y/N, who was blushing just as much as Philip.

"H-hey, Y/N." Philip greeted, mentally cursing himself for stuttering.

"Hey," Y/N smiled at him, before embracing him in a tight hug, "Took you long enough."

Philip didn't hesitate to hug Y/N back, just as tight, "I missed you so much."

They could've hugged for hours, until Angelica interrupted them, by loudly clearing her throat.

"I believe Philip has something he wants to say." Angelica announced, an innocent smile on her lips.

Y/N playfully rolled her eyes while Philip sighed and pulled away from the hug, sending Angie a hard look.

Angelica threw her hands up in the air in frustration, "Just tryna speed things along. Honestly, you two would be nowhere without me."

"Hey," Philip said, clearly annoyed.

"Sorry, too soon," Angie apologized, "But seriously-"

"Dude," Philip groaned, Angelica taking this as a signal to leave.

The room became filled with silence, until Y/N broke it, "I missed you too, Pip."

Philip smiled, which gave Y/N butterflies, before he leaned in for a small kiss.

"So what did you want to say?" Y/N asked.

Philip's cheeks went bright red at Y/N’s words, “O-oh yeah… right,” he said, before taking Y/N‘s hands.

"Y/N," he began, fear evident in his shaky voice, "I keep in the sanctuary of my heart, every minute we shared because from the first moment I was totally overwhelmed by you.

I do not know how it has been possible to live without your support and cheerfulness, without every letter you send, and every time you're with me.

You encourage me to get up every morning, to do great deeds for you, and to constantly become better.

You are my inspiration, my motivation, and my desired goal.

You know like nobody what happiness is and where it is hidden.

We both want to have a colorful and memorable life, and together we can make our dreams come true.

I want to become your happily-ever-after, and I will do my best for your incredible smile to never fade.

You are the greatest and the most precious gift given to me by this life, so I wish the whole world knew about my infinite and limitless love for you.

The love we share makes my life beautiful.

I can’t imagine my life without you in it.

Life has many sweet moments and I want to enjoy each one with you.

You are the one I want to be for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer.

I promise to do everything I can to be a perfect match for you and to become a husband you deserve.

My voice is trembling, and my heart beats at a furious pace, as I hope you will say yes and make me the luckiest man on Earth.

Y/N L/N, will you do the honor of marrying me?"

—————

A/N: I’m going to be writing another story about Angelica and Theodosia (Theogelica) which I’ll be posting soon of anyone would be interested in that

stay safe my friends!

taglist:  @vermilionrr   @acupnoodle

[medici-collar]

@battleofbunkerhill

[dearestcorrespondence]

Philip Schuyler to Elizabeth Hamilton, Albany, [November 10, 1801]

My Dear beloved child,

I would have acknowledged your favor sooner, but on Tuesday last I was severely attacked with an ague which terminated with a fit of the gout in my head, and feet. I am now relieved and tolerably well, the wounds on my leg are healed except one, and that I hope will not confine me much longer, but the confinement to my chair for 63 days has been extreamly irksome.

Mr Morton with Cornelia & Catherine went on the 30th ult. to your Brother Renesslaer your sisters returned on saturday last, but Mr Morton on the preceeding tuesday went to Lake George, from whence he is not yet returned, what detains him we cannot conjecture, Renesslaer is with him.

Your mama and sisters are well and unite in love to you The General & the children,—adieu my beloved child.

Ever most tenderly

& affectionately yours

Ph. Schyler

The pipes to lead the water to the house ought to be laid so deep that the upper side of them should be 2 1/2 feet below the surface of the earth_

[fullofobsessions]

How would different Hamilton characters help Alexander get something from a high shelf:

Eliza: would get on top of a chair and bring it to him

Washington: would grab it and bring it to him

Mulligan: would take Alex on his shoulders to help him reach it

Laurens: would give him a boost

Jefferson: would grab the thing, place it on the top shelf, and laugh at Hamilton

(Can someone please draw this?)

[znikomek]

Morning warm-up

Shivers ran over Alexander’s legs. Cold. Even before opening his eyes, he tried to half sit up and cover himself. Only, despite straining muscles, pressed down, he opened his sticky eyes to investigate the trap he seemed to be stuck in.

Turning his head, he huffed to sweep away the strands of hair tickling him. In the white light, the blend of colours shone beautifully; blond and hazelnut reflecting soft glimmers. His left shoulder was taken by John’s head, while the other side’s chest served as a pillow to soundly, not counting singular trembles from the chill, dozing Betsey. Their large duvet was rolled around John’s ankles.

With a muffled sigh, Alexander tried to reach for it with his only unrestrained body part, feet. His stirring must have affected Betsey, as she shuffled and rolled onto him, efficiently depriving him of whatever mobility he had left.

Entrapped by love, there was not much more he could do. To put himself in a slightly more comfortable position, he pulled his right arm from underneath Betsey and rested it on her waist instead. Letting his head fall back even deeper into the pillow and eyes close again, he wanted to enjoy the morning.

Two months ago, Alexander would have considered this sleeping arrangement ideal. Having both his lovers in one bed, on his sides, seemed dreamlike. Now, that this dream had come true, he could appreciate if blood circulation in his limbs was more of a commonplace in the mornings.

Nevertheless, he would not trade this family bliss for any other comfort. Was there anything more precious to a man than being loved and safe? From between fresh sheets, soft blankets and pillows, the world behind the four walls of their house did not appear to be worth much.

The pressure on him was growing, and soon emergency methods had to be applied. Straining his neck, Alexander left a kiss on Betsey’s forehead, then turned his head to kiss John as well. Knowing he was easier to wake up, he lingered his lips on his cheek a bit longer. Sufficiently.

John groaned quietly, propping himself up on the elbows, and scanned the surroundings with half-open eyes. Recognising his position, he only shifted slightly, flopped on the left side of Alexander’s body, and started snoring suggestively.

“That’s not fair,” Alexander moaned from under the numerous pounds of John’s muscles. “Get up. You’re not the one who had to change a baby in the middle of the night.”

“And you were not the one to feed the said baby on another occasion.” His whining must have woken up Betsey. “You could keep quiet now, Alexander,” she mumbled into his chest.

“Good morning, sweethearts.” He decided to drop the subject. “Now, if you care about my ability to work, would you be so kind as to move and save my arms?”

It took Betsey a long minute to scramble to her hands and knees, and another one before John followed in her steps. Finally free, Alexander stretched and sat up, leaning against the headboard.

Signs of the night must have still been visible on him, as John chuckled, but at the sight of Alexander’s frown, his lover only shook his head and leaned for a hiss, on the lips this time. What started chaste soon evolved, and Alexander only caught up to reality when an especially obscene noise left his mouth.

“You could keep quiet, you know?” Betsey grimaced, looking back at them separating hastily. It couldn't have, though, disgusted her so strongly, as another expression brightened up her face. Before Alexander could notice, she had straddled his lap and was tilting his head up, holding him under the chin. “Your wife deserves something as well, don’t you think so, dear?”

If there was heaven, it could have equally well been this.

By the time Betsey finally broke the kiss, giggling when he tried to chase after her escape, John had already pulled on his breeches and was struggling with his long hair. Unheld anymore, Alexander slid down the bed, shivering in the contact with the floor, and tiptoed to him, “Let me take care of it.” He pulled him back onto the mattress, running his fingers through the silk locks.

Nestling himself in Alexander’s hands, John allowed himself for a small smile.

“It’s not the army anymore, you can let it flow.” He combed through the knots gently, “I like it when you let it flow,” and, slipping the ribbon John had been holding from his palm, tied the hair loosely with a big, neat bow.

Half-dressed Betsey appeared over his shoulder, scrutinising his work. “Good,” she nodded, “but I hope there is more fantasy in you.” She handed him her comb, pins and ribbons, and spun him around the shoulder, taking then a seat between his tights and shaking her head invitingly. “Oh, and this is for you, Laurens.” She passed him Alexander’s comb and ribbons with a smile.

It was not unusual for them to take care of each other’s hair. Helping with combing and braiding made the morning routine quicker. It went without saying, they enjoyed this simple intimacy bringing them all together. For a moment, the scents of pomades mingled to create harmony.

Easily could Alexander get lost in this unifying activity, until an impulse pulled him back, and he let out an involuntary hiss.

“I’m sorry.” John let go of his hair, gently massaging his scalp as a consolation. “Though, you usually en-” the only thing that stopped him was a jab under his ribs with an elbow.

“Laurens!” Betsey called with agitation, rapidly turning her head to glare at him, hissing herself when Alexander didn’t manage to loosen up his old in time.

“I know many things about Alex you don’t, Eliza.” He grinned at her, peeking out from behind Alexander’s head.

“And I would rather keep it this way, thank yo very much, John.” She raised her eyebrows. “I do not need to know what you are doing to my husband when I am being exiled to the spare bedroom.”

“Well-” Alexander could barely start a sentence before a choral no and a pillow hit from Betsey. “And what was that for?”

Right in front of him, a coup was being planned not to allow him to even consider, to quote, ‘his sick fantasies’. In the face of an alliance, he did not stand a chance. In mere seconds of striving to fight off the revolution, nothing was left from their attempted hairdresser. Harmless punches, kicks, and blankets efficiently made them look like children at the end of a day of playing.

Laying side by side, breathing deeply through the leftovers of laughter, they were caught up by the chill again. Not waiting to get freezing again, Alexander sat up and pulled the duvet, covering them up.

When he laid back down, he was met with two kisses on the cheeks and an ‘I love you’ whispered in the ear. His hair had fallen into his eyes, but it didn’t matter. “Maybe we could stay in the bed for the day?”

[46ten]

What did the Hamiltons usually do in the summers? Did they take vacations? EH used to travel to Albany with the children but after 1792 she did not leave AH alone again. Did she continue traveling to Albany but taking AH with her, or did they have other plans for the summer?

way too long DNR summary: they didn't really take vacations in the summer, or at other times of the year. At no time did Eliza, in particular, go and visit her parents on some regular schedule.

I think AH spent more time with his wife's parents in Albany during their married life than she did! AH is more frequently going up there because he has to be at court (NY Supreme Court in session in Jan, Apr, July, and Oct, and Court of Errors in session right after, as far as I can recall) or a matter he's dealing with is in arbitration, or some such - she often doesn't go with him, though.

I think Eliza was a lot more independent and assertive and knew how she wanted things than is acknowledged - I don't think these were traits that suddenly appeared after AH died. She grew up without her father around for chunks of time (why don't we ever discuss that bit of bonding about somewhat absent fathers that she and AH could have had), and then in the chaos of the AmRev, while still a teenager, she's trusted at times to run the households while her father is away general-ing and/or having to do political stuff elsewhere, and her mother is managing their other properties -her parents were likely in Saratoga and she was managing things at the Pastures right before she got married in late fall 1780. Once she finally got to establish her own household, I don't think she loved going back to stay with them and having to fall in line with how her parents wanted the household to work - that's entirely my speculation though. Maybe she secretly hated them, maybe she had some trauma/stress around being in Albany and Saratoga from her childhood, when that was considered the frontier, or from her war experiences, maybe she just didn't want to have to manage the packing and moving of servants that was also necessary or have the funds to make it sensible, maybe the arrangements she had with her servants made it difficult to agree to travel (there was a shortage of "good labor" in the cities), maybe she enjoyed her thriving social life elsewhere and hated being back in Albany and hearing "the Dutch bell," as Angelica C. jokes about.

To the actual question! If you want a detailed report, @runawayforthesummer is probably the best person to ask, as she developed a timeline of the locations of all the various family members based not only on publicly available documents but on Schuyler family letters and other documents that required on the ground research. Below is just my rough summary of what I can remember - parts may be wrong, but I think it's generally okay.

Summer of 1781: he goes off with the military, ultimately to VA

Summer of 1782: still on her parents' property in Albany with baby Philip

Summer of 1783: the same, though he's traveling a bit more.

Summer of 1784: living in NYC, she stays there while he briefly travels (she gives birth to Angelica H. in September)

Summers of 1785-88: mostly in NYC (with two more bio kids added to the family, and Fanny added in 1787), although now we know she went to Philadelphia in June 1787 around the time AH gave a speech at the Constitutional Convention. (It had been assumed she spent the summer in NYC, as AH was known to be back there briefly in July, and James A. H. was born in April 1788, so easy to deduce that she must have been in NYC, too.)

Point to note here and for the next 15 years or so: just because the Hamiltons weren't traveling back and forth to Albany doesn't mean that family members from upstate NY were stuck in place. Peggy and hubby Stephen van Rensselaer stay with them, Eliza's brother is sent to live with them by Philip S because he thinks their good example will rub off on his wayward son, Eliza's youngest sisters Cornelia and Kitty/Caty (little Catharine b 1781) also live with them at various times, and Philip S. and Catharine are fairly frequently visiting when Phil S. isn't too sick to travel (and since Philip S spends two years as a U.S. Sen, they're also sometimes living in the same city as the Hamiltons anyway).

Summer of 1789: this is an interesting year, because Angelica Church returns back to NY for the first time in nearly six years; she just barely misses the inauguration in April. And then Angelica actually spends most of her time in upstate NY - contra one particular Hamilton biographer who alleges (based on nothing) that Eliza spent most of her time that year in Albany while AH and Angelica were having a torrid affair in NYC. The interesting part? If Eliza went up to Albany at all while Angelica was there, she didn't spend tons of time there. Phiiip S. requests in May that everyone goes up as he wants his whole family together- someone else probably knows whether they actually did. Eliza and the kids also may have gone to Albany in Nov 1789 after Angelica has leftl; AH is too busy with work to go.

Summer of 1790: she and the kids go to Albany. But she just goes up in September and is likely back within three weeks - the plan was that AH was also going to join them, but then he's too busy with work.

Summer of 1791: back in Albany for Eliza and the kids, this time to get away from hot Philadelphia, but actually only gone the last week of July to beginning of September, and he makes a brief trip to NJ during that time, too. But she and AH also took a trip "to the country" together for two weeks in May, sans kids - he doesn't even send any letters during that time.

December of 1791: Philip H. starts boarding school - I point this out not only because both his parents escorted him to boarding school (taking a mini-trip themselves), but because the patterns of the older boys' schooling - usually in school at least through July - from here on out would have prevented summer trekking to Albany, anyway.

Summer of 1792: the Hamiltons remain in Philadelphia, where Eliza gives birth to John Church H in August.

Summer of 1793: YELLOW FEVER REACHES PHILADELPHIA! They stay in Philadelphia but rent a house outside the city. The children are eventually sent up to Albany, and Eliza and AH end up there, too, for a couple of months after Edward Stevens nurses them back for health. EH and AH return to Philadelphia together, and then AH probably had to send a threatening letter to his father-in-law to return his kids. (Philip S. had written that AH was clearly still too sick to have proper judgment on whether the kids could return.)

Point to note here: just because AH and EH are in their usual residential spot doesn't mean that all of their kids are there with them. At various times over the years, and in varying combinations, the kids get brought up by a relative or left by their parents in Albany - Eliza's married siblings are in upstate NY so they have first cousins and a ton of other relatives; their grandparents or Aunt Peggy take over their tutoring and other instruction, etc. They get returned when another relative is traveling back to Philly/NYC.

Summer of 1794: it doesn't seem like anyone planned to go to Albany, but JCH gets sick and Eliza is pregnant, and they try a brief excursion away from hot Philly but JCH doesn't get better, so in late July, AH escorts both of them (likely with James A. H.) up to Albany and then rushes back down and Angelica H stays with him, while Phil and Alex eventually go back to school in Trenton. And then they have an awful couple of months, because although JCH recovers, AH leaves to deal with the "insurrection" in October and pretty much all the Hamilton kids get sick while he's away. Eliza has to go get the oldest boys from school. AH, who was always recommending medical treatments and played a big part in nursing the family when anyone got sick isn't around (the old thing of him intending to become a medical doctor when he left St. Croix). It largely all falls to Eliza and her parents and maybe a few siblings come down to help her out, and then she gets sick too (or is just so exhausted) - Edward Stevens helps take care of her - and she loses the baby. AH gets home and sends his resignation letter to GW and accepts the guilt of being the reason Eliza was ill.

Late winter/early spring 1795: the above led to the longest "vacation" they probably every took - after his resignation is official on Jan 31, the Hamiltons leave Philly on Feb 17 and travel to upstate NY via NYC, arriving in March, and stay there all the way until June. They make some mini excursions, but it looks like a deliberate downtime after an exhausting 6 years and super rough eight months. It also gives AH time to evaluate how poor (relative to others in their social class) they are due to his time in the admin. And then they settle into life back in NYC and AH's return to his law practice (and interference in any number of other political happenings).

Summer of 1795: YELLOW FEVER REACHES NYC! And they stay in the city, to Philip S's great panic for this and every subsequent NYC summer prior to the Grange. AH has Jay Treaty stuff, running the Washington admin from a distance, and establishing his law office to deal with. And they host Talleyrand. They also now have four (?) non-bio kids living with them.

Summer of 1796: Still in the city! The older boys are in school; AH goes up in October.

Summer of 1797: Yep, still there! The Churches return from Europe in May (and subsequently, Angelica C. spends way more time in Albany than it seems Eliza ever does). They have the whole Callendar/Reynolds/Monroe debacle to spice things up; Eliza gives birth to William in August. Most interesting - Philip S. was very ill in April 1797 - they thought he was going to die. Eliza doesn't go to Albany to visit him immediately, even though AH is there! At least Cornelia is with her, so they were bad daughters together; they may have gone briefly after he recovered. AH is absent again when Phil H. gets extremely sick in the fall.

Summer of 1798: Ah, Eliza finally goes back to Albany again without AH! And she's super unhappy about it or she and AH had some big fight before she left, based on AH's and Angelica C's letters to her. She takes baby William with her - Angelica H. might already be up there - but the older boys stay in the city with AH, and Angelica C., Peggy, AND Cornelia are in the city keeping an eye on him anyway (and likely helping with the kids). Eliza doesn't even stay three weeks before going back home (even though it seems AH thought she might stay away longer, maybe in retaliation or something). They rent a house outside the city with the Churches to get away from the yellow fever outbreak.

1798 is also the year when AH starts to complain A LOT in his letters about having to travel and any separations - he always expressed sadness about it and his anxiety increased the longer they were apart, but in this year and onwards it really carries a "this sucks and I hate it and I cannot do it much longer, I need the comfort of my family all the time" tone - even Angelica C. notes his unhappiness about separations and that anything that seems to affect Eliza or the children in his absence really drags him down.

Summer of 1799: still in NYC! Eliza's also pregnant and gives birth to a real Eliza in Nov.

And nothing much changed for the remaining summers, except adding the Grange as a place they could go, which was entirely the point . AH is in Albany for business/court and stays longer to be there when Peggy dies in 1801; Eliza does not go up. Philip H's death in Nov 1801 leads to an invitation from Phil S that they come to visit, which it seems that they do in January 1802 and then return to NY - Eliza is pregnant and there are frequent concerns that she's going to lose that baby (whether because she's actually ill or so grief-stricken) and AH does not respond to condolences until March, but Lil Phil is born healthy in June 1802. Eliza goes up solo after her mother dies in spring 1803 to comfort her father but doesn't spend much time there. The Hamiltons go into a pattern, esp in the warmer months, of Eliza staying up at the Grange with Angelica H. and the youngest children and AH staying in the city with the oldest boys during the week and coming up to the Grange on the weekends, a separation that Eliza would describe as a "sacrifice" they made so that their kids would always have a parent with them. (Beyond first Philip H's death, there were concerns that NYC was becoming increasingly dangerous.)

Apologies for errors - I am largely working on memory and have not confirmed all details above, but there are better sources for that.

[wardrobeoftime]

Hamilton + Costumes

Elizabeth “Eliza” Schuyler Hamilton’s blue dressing gown and white night gown.

// requested by anonymous

[yr-obedt-cicero]

Hi! Were there any instances of Laurens being jealous?

Quite.

Although I wouldn't exactly blame him for such, honestly. The prime examples I will be using are in regards to Hamilton's marriage with Elizabeth Schuyler. As they are what was mentioned in the post that these asks stem from.

I would take Hamilton as a great source of reading Laurens's character, with how close of lovers they were. So it is notable that Hamilton seems to sort of be aware of Laurens's envy, and mentions it a few times in their letters. For starters, in the “Cold in my professions, warm in my friendship...” letter [April 1779] Hamilton goes on a long ramble of Laurens finding him a wife in South Carolina. As Hamilton was jealous himself after discovering Laurens's, probably never mentioned before, wife, Martha Manning. In a way of petty revenge, he spends a long paragraph giving the details he wants in a wife, knowing it will feist him, as he says at the end;

“Do I want a wife? No—I have plagues enough without desiring to add to the number that greatest of all; and if I were silly enough to do it, I should take care how I employ a proxy. Did I mean to show my wit? If I did, I am sure I have missed my aim. Did I only intend to frisk? In this I have succeeded, but I have done more.”

(source)

Fast forward, around the summer of 1780, and Hamilton is to be wedded to Elizabeth Schuyler. When reading Hamilton's letters or discussions of Elizabeth, they are always extremely affectionate and always with adoration in her regards. So it is interesting that when Hamilton must confess the news to his lover, he tries hard to describe Elizabeth in the most dull terms he can to probably try and ease Laurens's jealousy. As mentioned in another letter while Laurens was a prisoner of war [30 June 1780];

“Have you not heard that I am on the point of becoming a benedict? I confess my sins. I am guilty. Next fall completes my doom. I give up my liberty to Miss Schuyler. She is a good hearted girl who I am sure will never play the termagant; though not a genius she has good sense enough to be agreeable, and though not a beauty, she has fine black eyes—is rather handsome and has every other requisite of the exterior to make a lover happy. And believe me, I am lover in earnest, though I do not speak of the perfections of my Mistress in the enthusiasm of Chivalry.”

(source)

With these instances in mind, they heavily imply Laurens was prone to being jealous (And I mean, can you blame him? It's literally his lover getting married away).

Even more so, Laurens's jealousy never seemed to have faded. Throughout the surviving correspondence we have between Hamilton and Laurens, Laurens never mentions Hamilton's new family, not even when Hamilton would bring them up continuously in his letters. Laurens never spoke of Elizabeth, in almost refusal to accept that she was Hamilton's wife or her existence.

There is only the one moment Laurens spoke of Hamilton's family, and it was bitter resentment towards Hamilton's firstborn son, Philip Hamilton, taking up all of Hamilton's time. He writes with complaints that Hamilton is spending too much of his time, or is too indulged, in his private family life. Which isn't too unexpected when you consider how we all know Hamilton tended to be as a newly, but also proud, papa — for example, his affectionate and rambling letter to Meade about Philip as well. Laurens must have been annoyed, or hurt even, by the lack of letters. And when there was letters, they were about his grand new family that didn't involve Laurens. So with boiled envy, Laurens wrote [July 1782];

“Your private affairs cannot require such immediate and close attention; you speak like a pater familias surrounded with a large family numerous progeny_”

(source)

An interesting detail about the original letter, ( Pointed out by @john-laurens who has the facsimile on their blog ) that Laurens chose to scratch out “large family” and replace it with “numerous progeny”, as to instead change the focus from the Hamilton family as a whole to just Hamilton's child. Thus Laurens continues to fail to mention Elizabeth in any of his letters, even adamantly purposefully. Tis clear here that Laurens actively chose to go back on his wording to avoid any mention of Elizabeth, even indirectly.

In Laurens's defense — even when really condemnable — as much as Hamilton was fully accepting of being married and still having a relationship with Laurens, JL himself wasn't as keen (He was somewhat, as they still obviously continued with affectionate letters; even after matrimony). He was often feeling alone and depressed during their letters, and Hamilton's reminders of his seperate family and loved ones was not helping in the slightest.