The Press., 1888-12-06
A BT OF HISTORY.


 Philip Schuyler, was one of the most charming women of her day at almost every period of her long life. We'll edn- cated, possessed of many accompl plishments, used to the elegances and etiquette of the best social circles of New York connected by consanguinity with the leading families of the state; richly endowed with come ly pe7son, sweet and affecsionate dispo- sition, and vivacious and witty withal, she was regarded as one of the most attract i've belles during portion of the period of the revolution. Even as young mRtron, the wife of Colonel Alexander Hamilton, she was an ornament and representative of the best society of the commonwealth, al- ways lively and gracious, yet dignihed. And in the evening shadows of her long life--a widow for fifty years-her society was sought by the intellectual and refined. When, in the spring of 1776, Dr. Frank lin. Charles Carroll and Samuel Chase, committee of the continental congress in- vested with its delegated powers, went to Canada on diplomatic mission, they were entertained at Albany by General Schuy- Ter, and by him conveyed to Lake George Mr. Carroll wrote of the general in his 1 journal: a@t D.. r.+
 "He behaved to us with great civility lives in pretty style; has two daughters (Betsy and Peggy), lively, agreeable, black eyed gals, who made our stay very pleas ant. '"
 These were Elizabeth, afterward Mrs. Hamilton, and Margaret, the future spouse of the Albany patroon, Stephen Van Rens-- selaer. @
 In the spring of 17sO Miss Schuyler ac- compaDied her parents to the headquarters of the continental army at Morristown, New Jersey, where they tarried several weeks She attracted much attention. There Colonel Hamilton, Washington's accomplished secretary, enamored by her charms, wooed and won her, and they were married at Albany in December, the same year. From that time she was one of the most beloved and cherished friends of Mrs. Washington. until the death of the latter, more than twenty years afterwad Their mutual attachment seemed like that mother and daughter.
 Mrs. Hamilton was deeply affected by the demise of her distinguished friend. Two years later she was compelled to en- dure a far greater bereavement in the sud den death of her husband, at the age of forty seven, slain by pistol ball on the duelling ground at Weehawken. For fifty years afterward she lived widow, dying at the home of her only daughter, Mrs. Holly, in Washington City. In a large pOCkOtUOOh Wu1C4 sSu0 CdTE4tu aDOuG u0E person was found the letter written to her by her husband on the morning of his de- parture for the fatal field It was much discolored by her tears. She had carried it in her bosom for half century.
 I was in Washington at the close of of 1848, and enjoyed the privilege of pass ing my first evening there with the vener- able widow of General Hamilton. She was then in the ninety second year of hcr age, and showing few symptoms, ill per son or mind, of extreme longevity. The sunny cheerfulness of her temper and quiet humor, which had shed their blessed influences around her all through life, still made her department genial and attractive. Her memory, faithful to the myriad i'm pressions of long and eventful expert ence, was ever ready with it's various rem- iniscences to give a peculiar charm to her conversation upon subjects of the buried past. She was then the last living belle of the revolution, and possibly the last sur vivor of the notable women who gave a charm to the republican court at New York and Philadelphia during Washing tons administration. -
 When l revealed to Mrs. Hamilton the object of my visit, her dark eyes beamed with pleasureable emotion. She seated herself in an easy chair near me, and we talked without teasing upon the interest ing theme until invited by her daughter to the tea-table, at o'clock, where we were ljoined by French lady, eight or ten ears the junior of Madam Hamilton.
 Our conversation began abruptly.
 ''I have lately visited Judge Ford at Morristown," remarked.
 "Judge Ford, Judge Ford" she repeat led, musingly. "Oh, I remember now He called on me a few years ago and brought to my recollection many httle events which occurred while WAS at Nor ristown with my father and mother during the war, and which I had forgotten. re- member him as bright boy, much thought of by Mr. Hamilton, who was then Washington's secretary. He brought to mamma and me from Mrs. Washington an invitation to headquarters soon after our arrival at Morrlstown."
 "Had you ever seen Ms. Washington before ?" l inquired.
 "Never. She received us so kindly, kissing Us both, for the general and papa were very warm friends. She was then almost 50 years old, but was still hand some. She was quite short plump lit tie woman, with dark-brown eyes, her hair little frosty, and very plainly dressed for such grand lady as I considered her. She wore a plain brown gown of home spun stuff, large white neckerchlef, neat cap, and her plain gold wedding ring which she had worn more than 20 years Her graces and cheerful manner delighted us. She was always my ideal of true woman. Her thoughts were then much on the poor soldiers who had suffered dur ing that dreadful winter, and she expressed her joy at the approach of milder spring time."
 "Were you much at headquarters after ward ?" inquired.
 | "Only(a short time the next winter and an occasional visit," she replied. "We went to New Windsor after we were mar ried, and there few weeks afterward Mr. Hamilton left the generals military family. I made my home with my parents at Al. bany, while my husband remained in the army until after the surrender of Corn. wallis. I visited Mrs. Washington at headquarters at Newburgh, on her invita- tion, in the summer of 1782, when re- member she had beautiful flower garden planted and cultivated by her own hands. It was lovily spot. The residence was an old stone house standing on the hiph