Angelica Church to Philip Schuyler about the Duel, 1804
Angelica Church to Philip Schuyler, July 11, 1804. (The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History)
Within hours of the duel between Hamilton and Burr, Angelica Schuyler Church, Elizabeth Hamilton’s sister and Hamilton’s close friend and correspondent, wrote this letter to her brother Philip Schuyler to break the news. Her handwriting suggests her level of distress. Hamilton died the following morning, surrounded by family and friends, after a night of agony.
A Letter from Angelica Church to Philip J. Schuyler, July 11, 1804
at Mr. Bayards Grenwich
Wednesday Morn
My dear Brother
I have the painful task to inform you that General Hamilton was this morning woun[d]ed by that wretch Burr but we have every reason to hope that he will recover. May I advice that you repair immediately to my father, as perhaps he may wish to come down – My dear Sister bears with saintlike fortitude this affliction;
The Town is in consternation, and there exists only the expression of Grief & Indignation.
Adieu my dear Brother remember me to Sally, ever yours
A Church
Source: Angelica Church to Philip J. Schuyler, July 11, 1804, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC07882.
A Letter from Angelica Church to Phillip J. Schuyler, July 11, 1804
at Mr. Bayards Grenwich
Wednesday Morn
My dear Brother
I have the painful task to inform you that General Hamilton was this morning wouned by that wretch Burr but we have every reason to hope that he will recover. May I advice that you repair immediately to my father, as perhaps he may wish to come down – My dear Sister bears with saint like fortitude this affliction;
The Town is in consternation, and there exists only the expression of Grief & Indignation.
Adieu my dear Brother remember me to Sally, ever yours
A Church
Source: Angelica Church to Philip J. Schuyler, July 11, 1804, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC07882.
wretch - unfortunate or unhappy person
consternation - feeling of dismay
indignation - anger
Background
Within hours of the duel between Hamilton and Burr, Angelica Schuyler Church, Elizabeth Hamilton’s sister and Hamilton’s close friend and correspondent, wrote this letter to her brother Philip Schuyler to break the news. Her handwriting suggests her level of distress. Hamilton died the following morning, surrounded by family and friends, after a night of agony.
Transcript
A Letter from Angelica Church to Philip J. Schuyler, July 11, 1804
at Mr. Bayards Grenwich
Wednesday Morn
My dear Brother
I have the painful task to inform you that General Hamilton was this morning woun[d]ed by that wretch Burr but we have every reason to hope that he will recover. May I advice that you repair immediately to my father, as perhaps he may wish to come down – My dear Sister bears with saintlike fortitude this affliction;
The Town is in consternation, and there exists only the expression of Grief & Indignation.
Adieu my dear Brother remember me to Sally, ever yours
A Church
Source: Angelica Church to Philip J. Schuyler, July 11, 1804, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC07882.
Excerpt
A Letter from Angelica Church to Phillip J. Schuyler, July 11, 1804
at Mr. Bayards Grenwich
Wednesday Morn
My dear Brother
I have the painful task to inform you that General Hamilton was this morning wouned by that wretch Burr but we have every reason to hope that he will recover. May I advice that you repair immediately to my father, as perhaps he may wish to come down – My dear Sister bears with saint like fortitude this affliction;
The Town is in consternation, and there exists only the expression of Grief & Indignation.
Adieu my dear Brother remember me to Sally, ever yours
A Church
Source: Angelica Church to Philip J. Schuyler, July 11, 1804, The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, GLC07882.
wretch - unfortunate or unhappy person
consternation - feeling of dismay
indignation - anger
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Angelica’s Letter to Her Brother about the Duel
Phillipa Soo discusses a letter about the Hamilton-Burr duel that shows the complex family relationships.
