The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-05-31
Julia N. Dana in Youths Companion
1he Widow of Alexander Hamilton.

1he Widow of Alexander Hamilton.
Mrs. Jessie Benton Fremont. in Wide awake. /
knew Mrs. Hamilton, the widow of Alex.
sndtr Hamilton, very we'll Ia her many
visits to Washington quite toward the close
Of her long, useful, but quiet life.
Der portrait is in the same room with one
of Hamilton. When TallyIa1d was their
guest he asked for this likeness of Hamilton.
and on his return TO France had it copied
and sending them the copy, kept the origl-
na]. After Hamilton's sudden death, this
original was returned to the young widow
by the Prince, with letter go feeling thst
you rub your eyes after reading the sigma
ture with such different character is asso-
cisted.
The letter and portrait ere among many
historical treasures belonging of right in this
hcme OF q Hamilton. There is the portrait
of Washington which he had had pailted rs
gift TO Hamilton. 1t is put up on hinges
and turns to any light wanted. 1t was deeplg
interesting TO turn It's serene, reposing couu-
tenance toward The quick dark young face
of Hamilton, and the quiet hish.bred young
vile IS yet untouched By sorIow. Her facs
is delicate but full Of nerve and spirit; its
long oval is made more long from from the
bair being brushed bsck over high
cushion, and the slim throat and long.
pointed bodice add TO this effect of slender
length. The eyes are very dark aud hold the
- A
the high cushioned hair, the rich dress and
conven tional attitude tell of the woman Of
society, there 10 something strong In the
steady eyes and closed mouth which show q
character of her own. She had not the
beauty OF her splendid mother-ths wife OK
General Philip Sohuyler-Tho, rather than
let their crops be of use to the advancing
English army advancing on Saratoga her.
self led her people in firing them. Bat the
high resolute nature was ell there when the
young widow found in her own sorrow AID
her own orphaned children the motive for 8
life witch should lit neglect and sorrow from
Thousands OF children. Her talents were
many; illustrious names and powerful
family, the tenderest sympathy OF whois
nation, and her own plying loving nature
blended with rare sense OF justice-all these
she dedicated to the care of children.
Fer grief over her own children took the
form OF protection of those who were poor
and unfriended as well as orphaned. To
Mrs. Hamilton is directly owing the first or
phan asylum OF New York. On its ittie b
anniversary memorial service was held in
the Church oftbe Epiphany, in Washington,
where Mrs. Washington then was for tbs
winter, and the work and lis greatly extended
good were told over. The seed had become
tree with mighty branches. Mrs. Hamilton
was feeble and could not sit through
the whole SERVES, but came only for
pSfI-a1WdNe 10 the CJmUl1.
MON service, This Sunday she came in to-
wsrd the close. Our minds and hearts were
filed with the coed works Of this gentle lady
when she entered-a very small, upright lit
tie figure in deep black, never altered from
the time her dark hair WAS first framed in by
the widows cap, until now the hair was
white as the esp. As she moved slowly for
ward supported by her daughter, Mrs. Hol.
ley, one common feeling made the c)ngreg \.
ton rise, and remain standing until she was
seated in her pew at the front. Mrs. Ham
ilton, though recovering marked attention,
preferred quiet, and returned but few visits.
Mrs. Hamilton retained her activity 70
great sge. When / first lived on tie Hudson
River. quite near her ton's home, 1t Was still
freshly remembered how the old lady would
leave the train st q little way station and
climb two fences IN her short CIT across
meadows rather than go on TO tue town
where the carriage could meet her. 1t was q
delightful historical home 10 me. Such sn
old, old serving man opened the door and
ushersd you into the square hall where tht
family tradition OF service 10 the countrJ
net your eyes in q fine life size portrait b.
Stagg, OF e great grandson-a young Officer
in blue uniform, with cap pushed back
showing the same dark eyes OF cortro led en-
ergy.
Ard the tradition OF good works too goe
on. Louisa Lee Schuy Ter has been given
controlling art in the State Charities sas
Reforms and, With the aid OF modern con
'brotber's keeper" hiss wide scope in csr
rypg ont the ideas begun so quietly long $50
by Ter noble great grandmother.