#louis mclane hamilton

[yr-obedt-cicero]

Meanwhile two more of the McLane children had been married. Rebecca, the oldest, was twenty-nine when she was married in December, 1842, to Philip, the youngest and perhaps the least prepossessing of Alexander Hamilton's sons. For some reason, Louis McLane was unhappy about the possibility of any marital alliance between his children and the Hamiltons; he feared at one time that young Louis might fall in love with a Hamilton. But he approved Rebecca's marriage, again deciding he had no choice, gave sententious advice (Rebecca should devote herself to her husband's welfare and should not neglect her religious duties), and in due time anxiously awaited news of the children born to Rebecca and Philip, hoping they would name a child for Rebecca's grandfather, old Colonel McLane, whose favorite she had been. Faithful Rebecca named children for both her father and grandfather, and though Louis McLane Hamilton met an early death as a soldier in the Indian Wars Allan McLane Hamilton lived to win distinction as the leading psychiatrist, or “alienist,” as he was usually called, of his day. But when Kitty suggested to Louis that he give Rebecca's firstborn $250, Louis demurred: if he did this for one grandchild, he must do it for the others, and he simply could not afford to take $250 a year from the costs of his family and the interest on his debts; the time for the winding up of his affairs was closer, he was sure, than Kitty realized.

Munroe, John Andrew. Louis McLane: Federalist and Jacksonian. United States, Rutgers University Press, 1973.

Wether it's Munroe, or just the McLane's perspective, this book is quite critical of Phil II. But I'm curious as to why Louis would supposedly be unhappy about the match between between his daughter and a Hamilton. The Hamiltons' and McLanes' seemed to have been connected prior to the marriage, and most of the family was Jacksonians just like Louis McLane. Hamilton himself was even acquainted with Louis's father, [x] [x] and the marriage was praised as being a proper match by many (Even Eliza herself, you can find in the first link).

I have omitted love to the dear children & now add it—Not a word has been heard from Lizzie [Middleton]—Her mother is in a state of the most anxious expectation—I was forgetting a piece of good news—Rebecca McLane's engagement to Mr Hamilton of NY—the brother of John C. our acquaintance, & an excellent match for her I hear—

[Eliza Middleton Fisher to Mary Hering Middleton, 15 December 1842]

Fisher, Eliza Middleton, and Middleton, Mary Hering. Best companions : letters of Eliza Middleton Fisher and her mother, Mary Hering Middleton, from Charleston, Philadelphia, and Newport, 1839-1846. United States, University of South Carolina Press, 2001.

So, not completely sure where that lies on the accuracy scale, but I'm also not an expert on the McLanes'. And as a sidenote, I've theorized about Rebecca's religious beliefs here.

[46ten]

Philip Schuyler Hamilton, 1832-33?

Inscription noted here: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225191670/philip-schuyler-hamilton

Philip Schuyler Hamilton, Son of Philip and Rebecca Hamilton, Died March 19, 1833, Aged 14 Months

This tombstone is in the same Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery lot as Philip II and Rebecca McLane Hamilton and their other two known kids, Louis (1844-1868) and Allan (1848-1919). It’s clearly older than the other gravestones. Hmm. Let’s call it 1853 instead of 1833! 

[the-real-george-washington]

Hamilton's grandkid, (that feels weird to say) @louis-mclane-hamilton is here -Tallmadge

Huh. I’ll be sure to welcome the kid

[moonmeg]

what are the hamilwives like?

Oh! Good question! The answer here are my own headcanons so don't take it as historical accuracy. I doubt it is hahah

Long text ahead!!

Mary Morris Hamilton (25th December 1790-24th May 1869) is a very kind and generous person. Benevolent and charming. She has a good relationship with her parents and her seven siblings and she is quite close to her grandparents. Her two years older sister Julia and she also are very close. They can tell each other everything and act like best friends even after both married. When Mary met James, for example, Julia was the first one to find out. When James had asked her to marry him, Julia read Mary like a book and noticed there's something up with her little sister and was the first one in Mary's family to find out Mary said 'yes'.

She loves her husband and her five children, Elizabeth, Frances, Alexander, Mary and Angelica, with all her heart and is a very affectionate mother and wife. She thinks it's amusing to get attention from other men, just to mess with James and his jealousy a little, but she is absolutely devoted to James and could never be as intimate with someone else than with him. As a couple, they lay priority on honesty, loyalty (especially James, since he experienced the aftermath of affairs himself as a child) and communication. They talk to each other about everything and are both upset when the other one lied about something.

When they fight, she's the one to keep the fight rather calm, telling James to be quieter when she thinks he's too loud or telling him to calm down a little in general. She can't stay mad at people for long. Especially not people that she loves, so after every fight she has with her husband, she tries to solve things quietly again and it ends in "I love you"-s and either an embrace, a kiss or... well you can think your part here.

Mary is intelligent and humorous. She is social and supportive.

(TW// next section contains mentions of child death)

Maria Eliza van den Heuvel Hamilton (4th January 1795-13th September 1873) too, is a caring and devoted mother and wife. She's a joyous person for most of her life and her laughter is the most contagious and the loudest. She's proud of her Dutch heritage and is glad to have found a Dutch speaking "friend" in Betsey.

Her children are the dearest thing to her, she'd do anything for them and will never truly accept they're grown adults that go their own path of life. She's quite talented musically wise but would never admit it. She's fragile. The deaths of two of her children in childhood break her. Especially baby James' death about a year after his birth makes her blame herself that she wasn't a good enough and caring enough mother. The morning she notices he isn't alive anymore she wakes John in hectic and in panic and collapses in his arms, full of tears. Ever since she grew more and more caring and almost overprotective of her other children and especially of the newborns she'd have afterwards.

John and Maria have a v e r y intimate relationship and are always by the other's side. To comfort the other one an embrace is not necessary; holding hands tightly is enough. They get each other gifts whenever they can, especially John does and Maria always meets him with a genuine smile and gratitude. When they fight, and she believes she is in the right, she ruthlessly gives him the cold shoulder and won't give him attention anymore until he apologized. She stands for her beliefs and it's hard to break them from her. Sometimes, when neither wants to give in, they both give each other the cold shoulder and John purposely is even harder to soften because he doesn't like it that he always to make the move to forget the fight and apologize. He's basically making Maria take a taste of her own medicine.

She grows attached to people quickly and sees the wives of her brothers-in-law like sisters. When other men flirt with her, she accepts but complaints about it to John later how much she actually hates it.

Eliza P. Knox Hamilton (?? ?? ????-21st July 1873) is a literarl sunshine. She always wears a smile on her face and is sure to have found her one true love in Alexander Jr.. She doesn't mind the age gap at all. She loves him and that's enough for her. She's an astonishing dancer and very active. If she could, she would travel the world. She always drags Alex away from his study, desk and law cases just to take a walk with him or have a snowball fight in winter. She loves teasing her husband and messing around with him. Putting or shoving snow on his neck or into his coat, reorganize his desk and entire study so he just stands in front of his desk and groans her name in annoyance with a little smile on his lips. Her rather childish behavior is what he loves about her. It makes him feel like a child again and remember the carefree days. They balance each other out.

She gets sick quickly and adores it when Alex nurses her, although she doesn't like to admit it. She has a wish for children but with a heavy heart gives up hope more and more with the years as it just doesn't work out for some reason. To compensate that she doesn't have her own children, she likes to spend extra time with her nephews and nieces. They are like her own children to her and she gladly watches them or takes care of them when the exhausted parents need a break and a little time for themselves again. She doesn't spoil them, however.

Alex and Eliza don't exactly "fight". They talk about it in a calm but mad tone and if it doesn't come to an agreement or they don't find a midway, they continue their days as if never having married each other, which upsets both but both also are too stubborn to make the first move.

(TW// next section contains mentions of death)

Rebecca McLane Hamilton (?? ?? 1813-1st April 1893) just seeks for an equal in her life. Someone who understands her, supports her and loves her for herself. In Little Phil she found her equal. They are both pretty much similar personality wise. They both have a heart of gold and only seek for the best. She's rather quiet and passive when around others. In a circle of ladies, she just stands or sits uninterested in the conversation, but if it's a topic she is passionate about, she gladly participates in the conversation. She cares about fashion and always wears and shines in what is currently in. When she noticed Phil took a liking in her, and she in him and she felt like there'll be more than just an acquaintance or a friendship, she amused herself with playing hard to get. Although she played hard to get, she also was the one to make the first advanced step with an affectionate kiss to the cheek.

She loves her two sons more than anything in the world and is indescribably proud of both and unbelievably heart broken when she gets the report of her firstborn Louis having fallen in the Civil War at only 24. After that she was extremely caring of her second son Allan, who was 20 at that time.

She doesn't like to cry and always tries to hold her tears back. The only place she feels comfortable with crying is in her husband's arms. Phil and her barely fight. And if they do, it's easily and almost immediately forgiven.

When Phil died, she grieved and mourned for the rest of her life. It felt to her like a part of her died.

She, like Mary, has a very good relationship with her parents and her siblings and is always a very adored person.

[an-american-experiment]

We signed a treaty with a king whose head is now in a basket. Would you like to take it out and as it? ‘Should we honor our treaty, King Louis’ head?’ ‘Uh… do whatever you want, I’m super dead.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

January 21, 1793 King Louis XVI was executed by guillotine for treason. Nine months later, his wife, Marie Antoinette followed him to her death in the same manner. 

Presumably, this song takes place in 1793 after the death of Louis XVI of France. Washington did call a meeting of his cabinet on the 19th of April in that year, in order to hear what they had to say concerning the issue of neutrality. At this point, Marie Antoinette would not have been dead yet, but they certainly would have heard of the death of the former king of France. 

The debate itself and Jefferson’s opposition to the result was not so much about not supporting France but was primarily about the idea that Washington was making this decision alone. To him, and many of the Democratic-Republicans, this amount of power rose to being monarchical. There was also some support for the reign of Terror and the beheading of Louis XVI by Madison and Jefferson.

Sources: the following sources were used - the collected letters/writings of Alexander Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton the Revolution, Ron Chernow’s biography of Hamilton, The Intimate Life of Alexander Hamilton by Allan McLane Hamilton, Hamilton by Richard Syllia, and Charles Cerami’s book called Young Patriots. In addition, War of Two by John Sedgwick and Washington and Hamilton by Tony Williams were used throughout. Proclamation of Neutrality: https://www.mountvernon.org/library/digitalhistory/digital-encyclopedia/article/neutrality-proclamation/.

Follow us at @an-american-experiment where we are historically analyzing the lyrics of Hamilton with a new post every day!

[runawayforthesummer]

Hi, I came from your other account, "the eliza papers" and I was just wondering who is Rebecca Hamilton? Eliza addresses her as "my dear daughter", but nothing pops up if you search her.

She was little Phil’s wife.

Her maiden name was McLane and her father, Louis McLane, was uhhhh kind of interesting.  He switched between parties and ended up in Jackson’s cabinet, first as Secretary of the Treasury (how you like those banks?) and then as Secretary of State. 

[sonofhistory]

Could you tell us about Hamilton's relationship with his children? I know he closed himself even more after Philip's death, but what about the other 7? Was he close to them?

All sources from Alexander Hamilton by Ron Chernow.

Of Alexander and Eliza’s eight children–Philip Hamilton, Angelica Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton Jr., James Alexander Hamilton, John Church Hamilton, William S. Hamilton, Eliza Hamilton and “Little Phil” Hamilton–not one appeared to utter a single unkind word about their father.

On January 22, 1782, Eliza gave birth to a son, named Philip Hamilton. On his birth, Alexander Hamilton wrote, “whose birth, as you may imagine, was attended with all the omens of future greatness.” He used to rock Philip’s cradle and played with the infant. At seven months, “it is agreed on all hands that he is handsome, his features are good, his eye is not only sprightly and expressive, but it is full of benignity. His attitude in sitting is by connoisseurs esteemed graceful and he had a method of waving his hand that announces the future orator. He stands however rather awkwardly and his legs have not at all the delicate slimness of his father’s… If he had any fault in manners, he laughs too much.”

On September 25th, 1784, the Hamiltons had their first daughter named Angelica. Their third child, Alexander was born on May 16th, 1786. Due to Hamilton’s busyness, Eliza ran the household and supervised the education of their children when they were small.

According to Ron Chernow, fourth born James Alexander Hamilton was their “favorite child”. Eliza gave birth to James Alexander on April 14th. While at Columbia, James frequently sought his fathers advice, urging him to review speeches had had written and etc. 

On October 12, 1788, the Hamiltons went down to the end of Wall Street and had Philip, Angelica and Alexander all baptized at the same time at Trinity Church. 

James Hamilton said,

“His [Alexander Hamilton sr.] gentle nature rendered his house a most joyous one to his children and friends. He accompanied his daughter Angelica when she played and sang at the piano. His intercourse with his children was always affectionate and confiding, which excited in them a corresponding confidence and devotion.”

Angelica Hamilton was very musical inclined and her father had Angelica Church find the best piano that she could find his daughter. When they were in separate cities, Hamilton usually kept one of the younger boys with him. He worried much about his children and enjoyed tutoring them. He had high expectations and wanted them to exceed. 1791, age nine, Philip and Alexander Jr. were sent off to boarding school in Trenton. Hamilton wrote this to his Philip:

“Your teacher also informs me that you recited a lesson the first day you began, very much to his satisfaction. I expect every letter from him will give me a fresh proof of your progress, for I know you can do a great deal if you please. And I am sure you have too much spirit not to exert yourself that you may make us every day more and more proud of you.”

A letter to his daughter, Angelica:

“I was very glad to learn, my dear daughter, that you were going to begin the study of the French language. We hope you will in every respect behave in such a manner as will secure to you the goodwill and regard of all those with whom you are. If you happen to displease any of them, be always ready to make a frank apology. But the best way is to act with so much politeness, good manners and circumspection as never to have an occasion to make any apology. Your mother joins in best love to you. Adieu, my very dear daughter.”

On August 22nd, 1792 Eliza gave birth to their fifth child, John Church Hamilton. In 1784, John began several ill and Hamilton–who scarcely asked for a vacation–pleaded with Washington to allow him “permission to make an excursion into the country for a few days to try the effect of exercise and change of air upon the child.”

A couple months after publishing the Reynold’s pamphlet, Hamilton had a scare after Philip nearly died of severe fever of some sort of typhus. In tending to Philip, Hamilton was both nurse and physician, leaving the doctor amazed by both his medical knowledge and his closeness towards his children. When he learned his son was to be well, the doctor said there were tears in the father’s eyes.

On August 4th, 1797, Eliza gave birth to a healthy baby, William Stephen Hamilton. 

On multiple occasions, Hamilton would have his six year old son John Church write his letters for him, taking bizarre precaution to that his letters would not bear his handwriting during his plots in the Adams cabinet.  

Smart Philip Hamilton walked in the footsteps of his father. He graduated in 1800 with high honors, was a good speaker and studied to be a lawyer. Hamilton regarded Philip as the family’s “eldest and brightest hope”. Hamilton had a prepared daily schedule for Philip that included writing, reading, church and ruled his waking moments from dawn to dusk. Philip did have reliance and rebellious streak which his father tolerated, “I am anxious to here from Philip. Naughty young man.”  Before Philip’s duel with George Eacker,, he sought counsel from his father who told him that he should throw away his shot on the dueling ground. At the duel, Philip followed his father’s advise and did not raise his pistol at the command to fire. Eacker mirrored and they stood dumbly staring at one another. Finally, Eacker lifted his pistol and Philip did like wise. Eacker then shot Philip and he fell.

When Alexander Hamilton learned of what had occurred, he called for Dr. Hosack who later recalled that Hamilton was “so much overcome by his anxiety that he fainted and remained for some time in my family before he was sufficiently recovered to proceed.” The entire night, Alexander stayed with Philip at his bedside, and when he had to approach his son’s gravestone, his friends had to help him stand. Seventeen-year-old Angelica Hamilton who was extremely close with her brother suffered a mental breakdown and her father tried to restore her health. He got others to send her watermelons and birds (she liked birds), this didn’t work and she only grew worse.  

After Philip’s death he fell into the deepest depression he had ever felt. Usually in his grief, he was able to publish papers and worked endlessly. This time, Hamilton was unable to write any more and did not respond to any of his correspondence for four months. Even his physical appearance was altered, always appearing troubled, melancholy and the childish glean that flinted across his eyes, had parted.

When Eliza went off to care for his father (her mother had recently passed) and Hamilton took care of their children at home.

In Hamilton’s duel with Burr, he used to very same dueling pistols that Eacker and Philip had used–a pair of guns that had caused the death of his son. It is possible Hamilton wanted to use to pistols as a homage to his son.

On his death bed, Hamilton had not been able to see his children until it was time to bid farewell. “She held up their two-year-old boy, Philip, to his lips for a final kiss. Then Eliza lined up all seven children at the foot of the bed so that Hamilton could see them in one final tableau, a sight that rendered him speechless.” According to the doctor, “he opened his eyes, gave them one look, and closed them again till they were taken away.” At his funeral on July 14th, 1804, the procession was followed by two of Hamilton’s oldest sons, James Alexander and Alexander Jr. Angelica Hamilton, four-year-old Eliza Hamilton and Philip Hamilton stayed with their mother, whom was not at the funeral. Gouverneur Morris gave the eulogy and sitting beside him on the stage weeping was Alexander (eighteen), James (fourteen), John (eleven) and William (six). 

“The scene was impressive and what added unspeakably to its solemnity was the mournful ground of tender boys, the sons, the once hopes and joys of the deceased, who, with tears gushing from their eyes, sat upon the stage, at the feet of the orator, bewailing the loss of their parent! It was too much. The sternest powers, the bloodiest villain, could not resist the melting scene.”

Of their five sons post-duel they all gravitated towards law, government and military (the Hamiltonian way). 

Angelica Hamilton lived under a physicians care and died in 1857.

 Alexander Jr. Hamilton graduated from Columbia University weeks after his father’s duel. He became a lawyer, fought over seas in the duke of Wellington’s army, returned to America as an infantry captain during the War of 1812, and wound up as US district attorney in New York. He represented Eliza Jumel when she divorced Aaron Burr. 

James Alexander Hamilton graduated from Columbia, served as an officer in the War of 1812 and was an acting secretary of state under President Andrew Jackson (and surprising was against the second bank of the United States) and became attorney for the southern district of New York. He developed a close relationship with Martin Van Buren and was an early supporter of emancipation of slaves. As a tribute to his father, he created a home which he called “Nevis”.

John Church Hamilton was a lawyer who fought in the War of 1812, and devoted decades to writing a biography of his father and sorting throughout his papers. 

William Stephen Hamilton was “charming, handsome and eccentric”. He studied at West Point, fought at Black Hawk War, surveyed lands in Illinois and lived on the Western frontier. In 1849, he was drawn to California because of the gold rush, and opened a store to sell supplies. He died there of Cholera in 1850. 

Eliza Hamilton cared for her mother in her later years and scolded her brother John at getting the seven volume biography done quicker. 

“Little Phil” Hamilton was a “kindhearted, sensitive man”. He married the daughter of Louis McLane, daughter of a member of Andrew Jackson’s cabinet. He served as an assistant US attorney under his brother James but leaned on altruistic pursuits and was a reputation of “lawyer of the poor”.

[deadbishop-blog]

Images from Recollections of an alienist, personal and professional by Allan McLane Hamilton (1916)

[yr-obedt-cicero]

Can we hear a little bit about Little Phil? I've been having a hard time finding information about him :((

Philip Hamilton II was born on the 1st or 2nd of June, 1802. According to his biographer son, Allan McLane Hamilton, his birthday was on the 2nd, while his New York Herald obituary as well as his grave claims it to be the 1st. He was the youngest of Alexander Hamilton's and Elizabeth ‘Schuyler’ Hamilton's children. He was named in memory of his oldest brother, Philip Hamilton, whom died a year prior to his birth on the 24th of November, after a fatal duel with George I. Eacker caused after an aggressive encounter at the Park Theater.

(Philip Hamilton II in 1880)

In a letter from Hamilton to Elizabeth, dated; October, 1803, Hamilton passingly mentions of one year old Phil;

“I shall be glad to find that my dear little Philip is weaned, if circumstances have rendered it prudent. It is of importance to me to rest quietly in your bosom. Adieu my beloved.”

(source)

Phil was only two years old when his father would die from a duel between him and Aaron Burr on the 12th of July, 1804. Probably due to his young age, he was not present at his father's funeral, as reported only Alexander Jr, James, John, and William were there;

“On the stage erected in the portico of Trinity Church, Mr. Gouverneur Morris, having four of General Hamilton’s sons, the eldest about sixteen and the youngest about six years of age, with him, rose and delivered to the immense concourse in front an extemporary Oration,”

(source)

While lacking not only the memories of his father, Phil also lacked a decently wealthy childhood unlike his brothers and sisters. Due to his father's death at his earlier beginning stages of life, Phil grew up with a rather unfortunate childhood. With his widowed mother's poverty without the support of her husband, McLane says Phil “was denied those advantages accorded to his elder brothers, and had, in every sense, to make his own way.”

Because of the substandard situation the family was knee deep in due to their father's abrupt death, Phil, unlike all of his brothers, never made it to college. He was instead taught by his older brother, James Alexander Hamilton, who had attended the same college as AH, King's college. (Now Columbia college).

October 28, 1828, Elizabeth wrote to Timothy Pickering requesting for information about property promised to help support her children now that Phil II had come of age, twenty seven years old;

“My youngest son has come of age, it will be doing me a particular favor, if you can make me some statement, respecting the property the gentlemen of your city were so kind as to make my children as a Remembrance of their father as I am entirely unacquainted with [...] who is the agent, also what your suppose is the balance.”

(source)

Phil was described as being a very kindhearted and happy man. He was known for a witty yet lighthearted sense of humor, and being very cheerful and sympathetic. But also old fashioned for his time, and researchful.

Allan McLane recalled his father as;

“a delightful man, of pleasing personality, a keen sense of humor, and a harmless kind of wit, which led him everlastingly to chaff his sons, but never to hurt our feelings.”

(source)

Phil was described in his later life by the New York Herald as;

“a man of merry mood, brimming over with anecdotes of the olden days, when the earth was to him fresh and golden. The new has no such charm for him as the old. He loves old houses, old trees, old books, old wine and old friends.”

(source)

He was even described as being very charitable, and was highly respected and adored, also a very affectionate father despite him never truly knowing his own. As the Poughkeepsie Eagle-News says in a newspaper dated the 10th of July, 1884;

“Philip Hamilton's many beautiful traits of character are too well known to be referred in detail. His kindness of heart brought him in contact with the poor and needy, and he gave them advice and help of substantial kind. No one was too humble or too poorly dressed for him to stop and chat with, and his venerable head was familiar to everyone. He was particularly fond of children, and it was his habit to fill his pockets with bright small coins or candies when he went out to give to them. He was unostentatious about his charities, and in fact about everything he did, was a courteous, high-minded gentleman of the old school. His navy associations had given him a cheeriness, and his conversation had the true flavor of the sea.”

(source)

Despite the unfortunate circumstances, Phil became very successful in his career and future. Phil's son described his career as “a hard, up-hill professional life,” with legal clients that included a “very great” number of the poor, especially sailors, and much of his time “given up to unselfish acts.” Phil had practiced Law in New York, and served as an assistant United States Attorney under his older brother, James, during the 1830s. As a prosecutor, he also achieved a notable success in his trial and conviction of the pirate, Charles Gibbs — Gibbs was then after sentenced to death for the murder of a ship's captain, and mate, and was hanged on the 22nd of April, 1831.

In 1842, Phil, at age 40, married Rebecca McLane, and together the two had two sons, Louis (July 21, 1844 - November 27, 1868) and Allan McLane Hamilton (October 6, 1848 - November 23, 1919). She was the daughter of Louis McLane, whom his grandson was named after, the 10th Treasury Secretary. Allan McLane wrote in his memoir, Recollections of an Alienist and said of his mother that “she sang and played delightfully, and was exceedingly bright,”

(Allan, age three, and his older brother Louis, age eight, 1851)

Later in 1851, during the California Gold Rush, (The California Gold Rush, lasted from 1848 to 1855, it was a gold rush that began on January 24, 1848, when gold was found by James W. Marshall at Sutter's Mill in Coloma, California) Phil moved to San Francisco to practice law as a partner of his wife's brother, Robert Milligan McLane — Though Phil returned to New York just after one or two years. Phil not only just practiced Law, but his cases and clients were usually in admiralty cases, (Admiralty law consists of both domestic law on maritime activities, and private international law governing the relationships between private parties operating or using ocean-going ships.) Amongst his clients included Commodore Silas H. Stringham, and pirate Gibbs as mentioned previously. 

In 1861, the American Civil War sparked. Allan took part from 1861, until 1863, in “repeated drillings, and marchings in the Rochester Home Guards, a sort of Boy Scout organisation.” While his older brother in July of 1866 became a captain, and was the youngest officer of his rank in the regular service, in the newly formed 7th U.S. Cavalry, which was under the command of then-Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer.

Though unfortunately, November 27th, 1868, Louis, age twenty four, was killed while leading the first charge of the troops in Custer's attack, at the Battle of Washita River. The battle plan placed Louis's squadron in the center of the formation, to charge the encampment while mounted. He marshalled his squadron “in splendid style right up to the enemy's lodges,” where he “fell dead from his horse, shot through the heart by a bullet from a Lancaster rifle” in the hands of a combatant concealed in a wigwam. A surgeon later wrote that the “ball entered about five inches below the left nipple, and emerged near inferior angle of right scapula. Death was instantaneous.”

Allan describes his brothers death as;

“His death was, of course, a crushing blow to my father and mother, for their hopes were, naturally, centered upon their first born, who certainly in many ways reflected the inheritance of the great genius of his grandfather, Alexander Hamilton.”

(source)

(Captain Louis McLane Hamilton, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument)

The family would suffer another death when Eliza Hamilton Holly, Phil's older sister, died October 17, 1859. She seems to have been the one to hold many of her father's papers after her mother passed, as the remaining brothers, Alexander Jr, James, John Church, and Phil, struggled to come to a satisfactory conclusion about her will and inheritance. During this family debate, Alexander Jr had apparently taken off with some of his father's documents without any explanation. As Phil expressed his annoyance with this when in 1859, Phil created a calendar of letters written by his father that Holly had been holding. Each description is of a letter, but one to Alexander Hamilton from Sarah Alexander, Lady Stirling, dated; the 26th of June, 1801, Phil remarks that it had been “taken by my brother Alexr Hamilton from the house of my sister E H Holly immediately after her death without any colour of right or authority.”

After the Civil War ended in 1865, Phil became a Judge Advocate of the Naval Retiring Board, at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Though thereafter, he was said to carry on a very quiet life.

Phil was also said to have been a “mild abolitionist” according to his son Allan. Phil assisted the Underground Railroad (The Underground Railroad was a network of clandestine routes and safe houses established in the United States during the early- to mid-19th century. It was used by enslaved African Americans primarily to escape into free states and Canada.) in the escape of at least one slave by concealing the fugitive in his cellar until he could safely resume his travel to Canada, as Allan says;

“I recall this very well, for my brother and I saw a very black and ragged man in the cellar who was being fed by my father himself, and kept until such time as he could safely resume his journey. The mystery of why he was in our house, for which no explanation was given at the time, impressed us then intensely, and our imaginings, it is needless to say, ran riot. After President Lincoln’s great proclamation we were told all, but it was not until after my father’s death in 1884 that Mr. Dana referred in the Sun to the latter’s many acts of self-sacrificing kindness in this direction.”

(source)

(Photos of Allan McLane)

July 9, 1884, Philip Hamilton II died, “comparatively poor,” in Poughkeepsie, New York.

(Philip and Rebecca McLane Hamilton's home in Poughkeepsie, New York.)

[moonmeg]

So one fact that always confused me is that that Louis McLane Hamilton died in the Civil War. A fact that would be very impressive if true because he died in 1868, a full three years after the war ended.

From what I could make out Louis fell in the a battle against the Cheyennes on the Washita River in 1868 which is indeed three years after the Civil War ended.

[moonmeg]

what would Allan & Louis Mclane-hamilton be like in your headcannon?

Louis is

the more outspoken sibling.

Needs to share his opinion and can't keep it to himself, which gets him into trouble at times.

Constantly makes bad jokes.

Romance? no, thank you

The older he gets the more done he is with everything

He's an energy ball as a kid

Low-key a mommy's boy

Allan is

quiet and analytical

"I can't believe I'm related to you"

"Call me Allie one more time"

Even more done with everything

Makes jokes that barely anyone gets

But he has a nice sense of humor anyway

He still cares about Louis a lot and gets even more worried when he joins the war

Really bubbly as a kid

[moonmeg]

Hello hope you are doing great. Random question, i don't know if you have answer this (if so, sorry) but why James A. Hamilton is your fav? Lol

Just look at him!

How can you not love him? (Praising my own design aaa)

Ok no, seriously I honestly have no idea why he grew so much to me. Maybe it's the Jary content...

I mean...

They are adorable 😔🤧 I'm praising myself again. Sorry.

I dunno even his historical charcater from what we know of him has a charme to it. I just like that he had no complications in his marriage. He and Mary loved each other, had five healthy children without any miscarriages or infancy deaths and they lived like happily ever after. Well, almost because they unfortunately both lived to hear from Elizabeth's (their firstborn) and from Angelica's (their youngest) death.

And though we don't know what exactly his domestic life was like, he seemed to be a good, loving (and loyal) husband and a caring and good father. He friggn took them on a trip through France, England and Scotland in 1829 like- aaaa!

You see, compared to his brothers' and sisters' life his seemed to be less... angsty? I don't know.

Philip died in a duel, Angelica went insane after that, Alex... well his life wasn't that angsty either and he seemed to be a caring and loving husband too but... like he did some stuff as older brother that just wasn't really nice? Especially towards James. For example, around 1811 Alex left with his cousin Philip Church to fight in the Napoleonic Wars in Europe. As eldest son he had quite some duties, one of which was caring for his mother and younger siblings after their father's death. With his departure, all those duties were thrown at the second oldest son and that was James. And I doubt it was a really nice and fun situation for him because he was trying to secure his and his still more or less newly wedded wife's finances, while Mary was also most likely pregnant at that time. So.. yeah I dunno. (I don't hate him lol don't get me wrong. Just don't think that was very nice :<)

John lost two children in infancy and a third one drowned with 23. It seems like some of his and Maria's children developed a sort of mental illness (""out of nowhere"") which... doesn't sound pretty and later on Maria, his wife, developed one too. On her deathbed, she more or less accused John of domestic violence and abuse towards her (he most likely wasn't abusive but the complete opposite :/) so... ouch.

William, well ain't gon' lie he's a fave too.

Eliza Holly is baby, unfortunately widowed early and never had children :( But she's a great girl, I love her.

Little Phil's life just starts with angst (Philip's death, his father's death). He had a quite happy life too and I admire the things he did, like how he got to be a lawyer even without college education, (because James was kind enough to hire him as assistant), how his clients were often poorer people, and how he assisted the Underground Railroad. But he lost his firstborn early too, because Louis McLane Hamilton was killed in the Civil War.

!!Now, I love all the children and they all did some amazing stuff. I don't despise any of them. They're all babies!!

[moonmeg]

Poor Louis and Allan can never really rebel and get away with it because both of their parents are lawyers! (Then again, it is somewhat a good thing since they would always stay on the good line of behaviour)

F in the chat for our fallen comrades Louis and Allan McLane Hamilton 😔

[an-american-experiment]

Aaa-ooo! I helped Lafayette draft a declaration, then I said, I gotta go. I gotta be in Monticello, now the work at home begins…

Lin-Manuel Miranda

In 1789, Lafayette was named as Commander of the Paris National Guard due to the turmoil the city was facing. In this position, he was forced to maintain the safety of the royal family. 

On the fifth of May in 1789, Jefferson accompanied Lafayette to the opening of the French Estates-General and its debates. Jefferson then aided Lafayette in drafting a version of “charter of rights.” This charter turned out to be the rough draft for the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, which Lafayette presented to the National Assembly of France on July 11th, 1789. 

Not to summarize the French Revolution too much, but the pace of Revolution and the severity of it picked up quickly after this. Over the next few months, King Louis XVI continued to make choices which angered the people of France, he then tried to escape Paris after the series of events including the Storming of the Bastille and the dissolving of Feudal Rights, but was caught and taken back to Paris. It was in the midst of these events that Lafayette presented the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen. There were other instances of mobs within the city other than the Bastille. 

Not only did Jefferson aid Lafayette in the drafting of the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen, he also discussed with Lafayette and others about what a new French Constitution would look like. These conversations took place outside the city at the Hôtel de Langeac. 

Jefferson left France from the port of La Havre on September 28th of 1789. He had a fairly short length of a journey home to Virginia, arriving in Norfolk in late November. His daughters traveled with him and were a significant part of the reason he was leaving France as he feared for their safety. 

Sources: the following sources were used - the collected letters/writings of Alexander Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton the Revolution, Ron Chernow’s biography of Hamilton, The Intimate Life of Alexander Hamilton by Allan McLane Hamilton, Hamilton by Richard Syllia, and Charles Cerami’s book called Young Patriots. In addition, War of Two by John Sedgwick and Washington and Hamilton by Tony Williams were used throughout. Thomas Jefferson information: https://www.loc.gov/collections/thomas-jefferson-papers/articles-and-essays /the-thomas-jefferson-papers-timeline-1743-to-1827/1784-to-1789/.

Follow us at @an-american-experiment where we are historically analyzing the lyrics of Hamilton with a new post every day!

[an-american-experiment]

I ask for French aid, I pray that France has sent a ship.

Lin-Manuel Miranda

After the Battle of Monmouth, Lafayette ended up in Rhode Island for a time. Then he went back to France and arrived there in early 1779. He was immediately placed under arrest as he should not have left France to get to America in the first place. Soon, however, the whole escapade was smoothed over and Lafayette was begging Louis XVI for funds and supplies to send to the cause of Revolution. 

Sources: the following sources were used - the collected letters/writings of Alexander Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton the Revolution, Ron Chernow’s biography of Hamilton, The Intimate Life of Alexander Hamilton by Allan McLane Hamilton, Hamilton by Richard Syllia, and Charles Cerami’s book called Young Patriots. 

Follow us at @an-american-experiment where we are historically analyzing the lyrics of Hamilton with a new post every day!

[an-american-experiment]

Yo. Turns out we have a secret weapon! An immigrant you know and love who’s unafraid to step in! He’s constantly confusin’ confoundin’ the British henchmen. Ev’ryone, give it up for America’s favorite fighting Frenchman. Lafayette!

Lin-Manuel Miranda

Lafayette and French help was crucial to the war effort by the Continental Army. Lafayette had come to American in 1777, but turned around and went back to France in 1778 in order to secure funds to aid the American cause. Lafayette, and then later Rochambeau, were probably the two most well known Frenchmen in America, particularly if one did not count King Louis. 

Sources: the following sources were used - the collected letters/writings of Alexander Hamilton, Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Hamilton the Revolution, Ron Chernow’s biography of Hamilton, The Intimate Life of Alexander Hamilton by Allan McLane Hamilton, Hamilton by Richard Syllia, and Charles Cerami’s book called Young Patriots. In addition, War of Two by John Sedgwick and Washington and Hamilton by Tony Williams were used throughout. The book Eliza Hamilton: The Extraordinary Life and Times of the Wife of Alexander Hamilton by Tilar J. Mazzeo was used for information about Elizabeth Hamilton. Lafayette information: https://www.forbes.com/sites/shelliekarabell/2016/07/10/the-french-aristocrat-who-helped-george-washington-defeat-the-british/#7b99b21715af. 

Follow us at @an-american-experiment where we are historically analyzing the lyrics of Hamilton with a new post every day!