Angelica Hamilton – Bio, Facts About Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton’s Daughter

As a young child, Angelica Hamilton was lively, a talented dancer who could also play the piano and was equally very beautiful. She was very close to her father Alexander Hamilton – one of the founding fathers of the great country that is the United States of America. The father-daughter duo would often collaborate – her father would sing while she played the instruments just as a hobby.

In the same vein, Angelica also loved Philip – one of her older brothers and both shared a lovely bond before tragedy struck and changed everything.

Angelica Hamilton’s Bio

Angelica Hamilton was welcomed by her parents on September 25, 1784, as their first daughter and second child. She was a sensitive and lively girl who loved music a lot. Her beauty was similar to that of her maternal aunt Angelica Schuyler Church, whom she was named after.

When Angelica’s father was serving as Secretary of the Treasury under George Washington, his wife, Martha Washington, would take Angelica along when taking her children to their dance lessons.

Angelica Hamilton studied French and took dance and piano lessons. She practised with a piano that was bought for her by her aunt Angelica Church. The piano was a treasured gift sent through her father’s friend from London down to New York and it stayed by her side until her death. Angelica’s father possessed a very rich voice, according to one of his grandsons. He also enjoyed singing and Angelica provided the necessary instrument, playing the piano or the harp for him. This musical interest that the two shared helped in strengthening their bond. When a nine-year-old Angelica went off to study French, her father penned a lovely letter to her.

Facts About Angelica Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton and his wife Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton were the parents of the lovely Angelica. Her father, Alexander, has a place in history as one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. During his active years, he rendered his services as the first Secretary of the Treasury of America. On the other hand, Angelica’s mother, Elizabeth, also had a noble background, being the second daughter of Revolutionary War General Philip Schuyler and Catherine Van Rensselaer. Her family was among the richest and at the time and had political influence in the city of New York. Elizabeth was a co-founder of New York City’s first private orphanage where she served as the deputy director.

Angelica grew up in a large family with seven siblings. She was very close to her elder brother Philip and also had younger brothers identified as Alexander Jr., James Alexander, John Church, William Stephen, and Philip (Little Phil); and a younger sister named Eliza. Angelica literally lost her mind when her closest brother was killed.

In November 1801, Angelica’s elder brother Philip was involved in a duel with a New York lawyer named George Eacker. It turned out to be fatal as Philip later died of gunshot wounds he sustained during the bout. Angelica was 17 at the time and when she heard of her brother’s death, she had a great shock which was followed by a mental breakdown. It was so bad that she couldn’t recognize her family members. Despite her parent’s attempts to find a cure for her, Angelica’s condition only got worse. However, her mother dedicated a lot of time to take care of her. The family’s happiness was disturbed a few years later when their father was killed by gunshot wounds he received during a duel with the third Vice President of the United States Aaron Burr, on July 11, 1804.

Elizabeth later became too old to look after Angelica which resulted in Dr. MacDonald of Flushing, Queens, becoming her caregiver for the rest of her life. At this stage, Angelica spoke about her late brother as if he was alive. Music was the only thing that remained intact in her life and she also played the piano her aunt gave her – the musical instrument is now on display at the Hamilton Grange National Memorial.

Angelica’s mother died at the age of 97 on November 9, 1854, in Washington, D.C and on February 6, 1857, Angelica passed on at the age of 72. Her body was laid to rest in the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Sleepy Hollow, New York.

Also Read: Top 10 Richest People in the world with full biography and details.

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