7 Devastating Things About Alexander Hamilton’s Family You Probably Didn’t Know
We know Alexander Hamilton as the face on the $10 bill, a Founding Father, and the star of a Broadway musical. But behind all that brilliance was a family that faced more than its fair share of heartbreak. This article lists some of the most devastating—and surprisingly human—things you probably never heard about this famous family.
Philip Hamilton Lost His Life in a Duel Over His Father’s Reputation
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At just 19, Philip Hamilton, Hamilton’s oldest child, confronted a man named Aaron Burr who had insulted his father during a speech. The disagreement escalated into a duel, a standard but risky affair of honor in the early 1800s. Despite advice to avoid firing directly, Philip was seriously wounded and didn’t recover.
Angelica Hamilton Mentally Collapsed After Her Brother’s Loss
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Angelica and Philip were close, so the shock of his loss proved too much. At 17, she showed signs of arrested development—fixating on birds, speaking about Philip as if he were still alive, and forgetting people she’d known for years. She remained under full-time care for most of her life.
Hamilton Jr. Ended Up Representing Aaron Burr’s Ex-Wife
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In a bizarre twist, Alexander Hamilton Jr.—Hamilton’s third child—once defended Aaron Burr’s former wife in a divorce case. This came decades after Burr eliminated his father. The courtroom case had nothing to do with politics, but the historical irony wasn’t lost on those who knew the backstory.
William Hamilton’s Gold Rush Journey Ended in Regret
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William headed West chasing Gold Rush dreams, but fortune didn’t exactly greet him with open arms. He remained unmarried and went ill far from the rest of his family. Still, Sacramento gave him a little recognition: the section of the cemetery where he’s buried is called Hamilton Square.
James Alexander Hamilton Had a Brief, Uneventful Political Career
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Despite early promise and family ties to national politics, James’s career in public service was short-lived. He worked briefly under President Andrew Jackson and contributed to speeches, but didn’t gain lasting influence. Afterward, he settled into other work in New York and focused more on family and law.
John Church Hamilton Devoted His Life to Archiving His Father’s Work
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John took on the task of preserving his father’s legacy. He collected letters, edited a seven-volume biography, and reintroduced literary works such as The Federalist Papers to new audiences. His dedication to documentation helped historians, but kept him in a scholarly role rather than the spotlight.
Eliza Hamilton Holly Was Cherished by Her Father, But Lost Him at Just Four
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Eliza Hamilton Holly was affectionately called “Little Betsey” within the family. Alexander Hamilton had a soft spot for her and frequently wrote about her, saying, “Eliza pouts and plays, and displays more and more her ample stock of Caprice.” Sadly, she was only four years old when he bid goodbye.
Elizabeth Hamilton Was Pregnant When Her Eldest Son Lost His Life
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During the time of Philip’s duel, Elizabeth Hamilton was in the final months of pregnancy. She gave birth to another son just months later and chose to name him Philip, a tribute that honored her firstborn. “Little Phil” grew up with a name tied to grief.
Financial Strain Shaped the Youngest Philip’s Future
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Without his father’s income, Philip Jr. couldn’t follow his brothers’ academic or service paths. He skipped college, studied law with one of his brothers, and eventually became a practicing attorney. He later served as an assistant U.S. attorney and helped convict the pirate Charles Gibbs.
Both Father and Son Used the Same Set of Dueling Armor
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The dueling armors used by Philip—and later by Alexander Hamilton himself—weren’t family heirlooms. They belonged to Hamilton’s brother-in-law, John Barker Church, and were crafted by a London gunsmith. The armors have been on exhibit at the National Postal Museum in 2018.
Angelica’s Illness Was Never Diagnosed
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Mental health care in the 1800s wasn’t exactly advanced. Angelica’s behavior—childlike and withdrawn—was considered unusual, but it went unnamed. Her family described her as gentle and sweet, even if she often seemed frozen in time. Today’s doctors might better understand her condition, but back then, she was left mostly in quiet care.
Eliza Hamilton Holly Never Remarried After Her Husband’s Early Passing
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After losing her husband, Eliza Holly moved in with her mother, and the two became almost inseparable. They even lived in a former presidential house on Prince Street in Manhattan before settling in D.C. in 1848. Eliza helped care for her mother until she passed at 97.
Alexander Hamilton Jr. Once Met a Young Abraham Lincoln
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During a westward trip with his wife, Hamilton’s third son stopped in a small Illinois town. There, he reportedly encountered a young store clerk with a knack for storytelling—Abraham Lincoln. Decades before Lincoln reached national fame, he left a strong impression on Alexander Jr., who shared the memory with admiration.
A Family Estate Named After Hamilton’s Caribbean Birthplace
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James Alexander Hamilton named his family home “Nevis” after the Caribbean island where his father was born. Situated in New York’s Hudson Valley, the estate reflected both nostalgia and pride. Columbia University owns the property as of present and uses it as a research facility.
The Hamiltons Stayed Close in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery
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Three of Alexander Hamilton’s children—James, Angelica, and Eliza Holly—are buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in New York, not far from the grave of author Washington Irving. They’re joined by other relatives in a family plot. Even in rest, the Hamiltons stayed close.