Junior Rasmussen
Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler married on December 14, 1780, at the Schuyler family home in Albany, New York. The couple enjoyed a short honeymoon at the Pastures, Eliza's childhood home in Albany, before Hamilton returned to the Continental Army and the Revolutionary War in early January 1781.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of marriage | 14th of December 1780 |
| Place of marriage | Schuyler family home, Albany, New York |
| Time taken off after marriage | A short honeymoon |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
- Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler married on December 14, 1780
- The couple wed at the Schuyler family home in Albany, New York
- The couple's romance moved quickly — within a month of meeting, they decided to marry
- The Schuylers were one of the wealthiest and most socially prominent families in New York
- Hamilton was poor and an orphaned immigrant
Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler married on December 14, 1780
On December 14, 1780, Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler were married at the Schuyler family mansion in Albany, New York. The couple's romance had moved quickly, with the pair deciding to marry within a month of meeting. Elizabeth's father, Philip Schuyler, gave his blessing for the marriage, making her the only one of his five daughters to marry with his consent. The Schuylers were one of the wealthiest and most socially prominent families in New York, in stark contrast to Hamilton, who was aware of his own poverty and lack of connections. Elizabeth's mother, Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler, was a formidable woman, and Hamilton wrote to her to convince her of his worthiness to marry her daughter.
Hamilton and Elizabeth's marriage would prove to be a loving one, though not without its fair share of heartbreak and pain. They would go on to have a large family, losing their eldest son in a duel while he defended his father's honour. Elizabeth, affectionately known as Eliza, was born in August 1757 and was one of eight surviving children. Her father, Philip Schuyler, was a prominent landowner with tens of thousands of acres in the Albany area. Eliza's mother, Catherine, was the daughter of one of New York State's oldest, richest, and most prominent Dutch families. Known as Kitty, she was a noted beauty and a bright star in the social scene of Albany before and after her marriage.
Hamilton, on the other hand, had a far less privileged background. Born around 1755 on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies, he was born out of wedlock. His mother, Rachel Faucette, had never divorced her first husband, so Hamilton's father, James, abandoned the family to prevent Rachel from being charged with bigamy. As a single mother, Rachel struggled to provide for Alexander and his brother before her death in 1768, leaving him an orphan. Despite his humble beginnings, Hamilton possessed intelligence and ambition, which helped propel him forward in life. He found employment at a local import-export firm, where he impressed his bosses, and his career continued to flourish.
Following their wedding, the couple enjoyed a short honeymoon at the Pastures, Eliza's childhood home in Albany, New York. Afterward, Alexander returned to the Continental Army and the Revolutionary War in early January 1781, continuing his military service and loyalty to George Washington.
Becoming a Wedding Photographer: The Time Commitment
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The couple wed at the Schuyler family home in Albany, New York
On December 14, 1780, Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler wed at the Schuyler family home in Albany, New York. The couple's romance had moved quickly, with the pair deciding to marry within a month of meeting. The Schuylers were one of the wealthiest and most socially prominent families in New York, while Hamilton was aware of his own poverty and lack of connections. Elizabeth's mother, Catherine Van Rensselaer Schuyler, was a formidable woman, and Hamilton wrote to her to convince her that he was worthy of her daughter's hand in marriage.
The Schuylers' home, where the wedding took place, was known as the Schuyler Mansion. After the wedding, the couple enjoyed a short honeymoon at the Pastures, Elizabeth's childhood home in Albany, New York. Alexander Hamilton then returned to the Continental Army and the Revolutionary War in early January 1781.
Elizabeth, also known as Eliza or "Eliza Schuyler," was one of eight surviving children of Philip Schuyler and Catherine Van Rensselaer. Catherine, also known as Kitty, was a noted beauty and a bright star in the social scene of Albany before and after her marriage. She came from one of New York State's oldest, richest, and most prominent Dutch families. Philip Schuyler was also from a prominent family and had commanded a militia during the French and Indian War of the 1750s. He later became a prominent landowner, with tens of thousands of acres in the Albany area.
Hamilton, on the other hand, had a more impoverished background. He was born around 1755 on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies. His parents never married, and his father, James, abandoned the family when Hamilton was still a child. Hamilton's mother, Rachel Faucette, struggled to provide for her sons before she died in 1768, leaving him an orphan. Despite his humble beginnings, Hamilton possessed intelligence and ambition, which helped propel him forward in life.
Italian Wedding Soup: Fridge Life and Freshness
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The couple's romance moved quickly — within a month of meeting, they decided to marry
The relationship between Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth "Eliza" Schuyler was a whirlwind romance. Within a month of meeting, the couple decided to marry. Their love story began at a ball hosted by Philip Schuyler, Eliza's father, in April 1780. There, Eliza fell in love with Hamilton, and he reciprocated her feelings, marking the start of their whirlwind romance.
Eliza's initial fears about her family's disapproval of their relationship were quickly allayed as the entire Schuyler family, including her oldest sister Angelica, seemed just as taken with Hamilton as she was. The Schuylers were one of the wealthiest and most socially prominent families in New York, in stark contrast to Hamilton's impoverished background as an orphaned immigrant. Despite their differences, the couple formed a strong bond, and Hamilton's intelligence and ambition impressed Eliza's family.
Hamilton's prospects were far less promising than Eliza's. He was born around 1755 on the island of Nevis in the British West Indies to an unwed mother. His father abandoned the family, and his mother struggled to provide for him and his brother before she passed away in 1768, leaving him an orphan. Despite these challenges, Hamilton's intelligence and ambition drove him to seek a better life beyond his island home.
Hamilton's efforts to convince Eliza's mother of his worthiness to marry her daughter ultimately succeeded. On December 14, 1780, just eight months after they met, the couple wed at the Schuyler family home in Albany, New York. Their marriage was a loving one, though not without its share of heartbreak and pain. They went on to have a large family and faced challenges together, including Hamilton's well-known affair with Maria Reynolds, which he admitted to in a published pamphlet.
The Perfect Wedding Ceremony Length: How Long is Too Long?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
The Schuylers were one of the wealthiest and most socially prominent families in New York
The family's wealth and prominence were evident in the marriage of Elizabeth Schuyler, who married Alexander Hamilton on December 14, 1780. Hamilton, despite his poverty and lack of connections, pursued a swift romance with Elizabeth, and they were married within a month of meeting. Elizabeth was the only one of the five Schuyler sisters to marry with her parents' blessing, as the others eloped.
The Schuylers' social status and influence are further highlighted in the life of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, who, after her marriage, actively participated in social duties and hosted prominent figures. She danced with George Washington at the first Inaugural Ball, and she and Alexander hosted a dinner for Thomas Jefferson when he returned from Paris in 1790. Elizabeth also defended her late husband's legacy, supporting his claim of authorship of George Washington's Farewell Address and requesting an apology from James Monroe for his accusations of financial impropriety.
The Schuyler family's impact extended beyond New York, with descendants playing critical roles in the formation of the United States, particularly in New York City and northern New Jersey. The family's ancestry and ties were significant factors in several prominent American families, including the Livingston family, the Oyster Bay branch of the Roosevelt family, the Bayard family, and the Bush family, among others.
Overall, the Schuylers' wealth, social prominence, and influence in New York and beyond solidified their position as one of the most notable families in the region's history.
Planning Wedding Dinner: How Much Time to Budget?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Hamilton was poor and an orphaned immigrant
The Broadway musical Hamilton, based on the biography by Ron Chernow, depicts the life of American Founding Father Alexander Hamilton. The musical portrays Hamilton's journey from being a poor and orphaned immigrant to becoming one of the most influential figures in American history.
Alexander Hamilton was born out of wedlock in Charlestown, Nevis, in the Eastern Caribbean, on January 11, 1755 or 1757. His parents, Rachel Faucette and James Hamilton, were not married, and there was no official record of his birth. In 1765, Hamilton's mother moved with her two children, Alexander and his brother James, to St. Croix. Tragedy struck in 1768 when Rachel Faucette died, leaving her sons penniless and orphaned.
The young Hamilton brothers were taken in by their mother's cousin, Peter Lytton, but their misfortune continued as Peter Lytton also passed away just a year later in 1769. At this point, Alexander Hamilton, still a child, had to find work to support himself, and he was employed by the trading company of Beekman and Cruger. Despite his young age, he was already demonstrating a passion for learning and was largely self-educated.
In 1773, Hamilton was presented with the opportunity to pursue his education further as he was offered a chance to travel to America. He enrolled at King's College, now known as Columbia University, and quickly became immersed in the revolutionary movement. The following year, in 1774, he organized an artillery company, showcasing his leadership skills and commitment to the cause. Hamilton's life as an orphaned immigrant was marked by hardship and adversity, but he persevered and continued to strive for a better future.
Hamilton's intellect, determination, and involvement in the American Revolution eventually led to his rise in politics and government. He served as an artillery officer in the American Revolutionary War, fighting against the British Army. He also served as an aide-de-camp to General George Washington and played a pivotal role in the siege of Yorktown. Hamilton's expertise in government finance and economic policy contributed to his appointment as the first Secretary of the Treasury during Washington's presidency.
In conclusion, Alexander Hamilton's life story, as portrayed in the musical, exemplifies the American dream. Despite his humble beginnings as a poor and orphaned immigrant, he rose to prominence through hard work, talent, and dedication. Hamilton's impact on the political and economic landscape of the United States is still felt today, and his legacy continues to inspire those striving for a better life.
The Knot Website: How Long Does It Last?
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Alexander Hamilton took a short honeymoon with his wife, Elizabeth Schuyler, at her childhood home in Albany, New York, before returning to the Continental Army and the Revolutionary War in early January 1781.
Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler decided to marry within a month of meeting. They were officially engaged in early April 1780 and married on December 14, 1780, at the Schuyler family home in Albany, New York.
Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler's romance moved quickly. They decided to marry within a month of meeting and were married on December 14, 1780, at the Schuyler family home in Albany, New York.
Elizabeth Schuyler's parents, Philip and Catherine Schuyler, approved of Alexander Hamilton's marriage proposal in April 1780. They were the only parents of the five Schuyler sisters to give their blessing. The couple married on December 14, 1780, at the Schuyler family home in Albany, New York.
![Hamilton Original Broadway Cast Recording (Explicit Version) [2CD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71FCe7NKd-L._AC_UL320_.jpg)
![Hamilton: 10 Shots (Highlights from the Original Broadway Cast Recording) [Angelica's Vinyl] [Amazon Exclusive]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/817ECzpINsL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
