Open up your history books and take a look. Millions of heroes, thousands of villains and hundreds of revolutions. Glamorous victories, shameful defeats. Names who signed their way into history. Achieving what others couldn’t.
However, we won’t be talking about any on them. Maybe a forgotten detail a glitter under a shadow. Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton (Born: August 9, 1757, Died: November 9, 1854) also known as the “wife of a founding father” is a lot more. She suffered from love, pain, and patience. Husband Alexander Hamilton (Died: July 12, 1804) was one of the founding fathers of America, participated in the revolution, fought in independence war, an orphan, immigrant, pure genius and a gentleman. She adored him. Patiently waited for him with her unborn child through war. However it all happened after the death of her son, then her husband.
She didn’t give up. Held onto everything she had. First, she made sense of thousands of pages writing her husband left behind. Later spoke out against slavery. Compelled Thomas Jefferson to include women in the sequel. Raised funds for the Washington monument. And most importantly the orphanage. She established the first private orphanage in new york city. Raised hundreds of children, got to see them growing up. 5 sentences are not enough to explain all she did.
Born in a politically privileged family she was raised to rule and lead. Father being the senator she always had the interest. Before she got married she and her 2 sisters used to walk around the city. They were smart and pretty. So they used it to their advantage and eventually made major changes in the monarchy. Got information from the spies here and there. Edited the Federalist papers. supported widows whom husbands died in the war. Provided food and shelter. Helped rebuild a nation from the ashes of the one in the past. Protested inequality. And so on.
Like a light that flickered out too soon, she passed away.
Who lives, who dies, who tells your story?
“Raise a glass to freedom something they can never take away, Raise a glass to the four of us. Tomorrow there will be more of us.” – Schuyler (Lin-Manuel Miranda)