The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1888-04-21
Hours With Men and Women Of
The Revolution.
THE LAST SURVIVING BELLE OF TIE
REVOLUTION.

THE LAST SURVIVING BELLE OF THE
REVOLUTION.
Copyrighted, 1888, bp Funk & ITdgnalls. !
Elizabeth Schuyler, daughter of General
Philip Schuyler, was one of the most
charming women of her day at almost
every period of her long life. Well edu.
Gated, possessed of many accomplishments.
used TO tie elegances and elique lie of the
best social circles of New York; connected
OY corsangunity with the leading families
of the State; richly endowed with cumely
person, sweet aud affectionate disposi-
Lion, aud yivacious and witty withal, she
was regarded as one of the most attractive
Oelles during portion of the period of the
revolution. Even as a young matron, the
wife of Colonel Alexander Hamilton, she
was an ornament and representative of the
best society of the commonwealth. always
llvely and gracious, yet dignitied. And in
he evening shadows of her long lite-a
widow for fifty Years - her society was
sought by the intellectual and refined.
When IN the spring of 1776, DR.. Frank
lin, Charles Carol and Samuel Chase, Il
committee of the Continental Congress in.
vested with its delegated powers. went to
Canada on n diplomatic mi, sion, they were
entertained at Albany b. General Schuyler,
and bv him conveyed to Lake George. Mr.
Carol wrote of the General IN his journal
"fle behaved to us with great civility
lives in pretty style; has two daughters
{ Belsey and Peggyl, lively. agreeable
black-eyed gals, who made our stay very
pleasant"
These were Elizabeth. afterward Mrs
Hamilton, and Margaret, the future spouse
IF the Albany PATRON, Stephen Van Rens-
clear.
In the spring of 1880 Miss Schuyler ac
GO Npanied her parents to the headquarters
Of The Continental Army at Murristown
New Jersey. where they tarried several
weeks. She attracted much attention
There Colonel Hamilton, Washington's ac
romplished secretary, enamore1 by hei
charms, wooed and won her, and they were
married at Albany in December, the san,
year. From thai time she was one of III,
most beloved and cherished friends of Mrs
Washington, until The death of the latter
more than twent years afterward. Theh
mutual attachment seemed like that Of
mother and dlughter.
Mrs. Hamilton was deeply affected by
The demise of her distinguished friend. Two
years later she was compelled to endure a
far greater bereavement in the sudden
death of her husband, at the age of forty.
seven, slain by pistol ball on the duellne
ground at IPeehawken. For fifty years
dfierward she lived widow, dying at tht
home of her only daughter. Mrs. Holly. in
Washington City. In a large pocketbook
which she carried about her person was
found The letter written to her by her hus-
band on the morning of his departure for
The fatal field. 1t was much discolored
by her tears. She had carried it in her
bosom for half century.
was in Washington at the close of lS4S.
and enjoyed the privilege of passing my
first evening there with the venerable wild.
ow of General Hamilton. She was then in
the ninety second year of her age, and
showing few symptoms. in rerson or mind,
OF extreme longevity. The sunny cheer
fulness 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 impress
sions of long and eveutful experience,
was ever ready with its various iemini-
SCIENCES 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.
charm to the Republican court at New
York and Philadelphia during Washing
toms administration.
When l revealed TO Mrs. Hamilton the
object of my visit. her dark eyes beamed
with pleasurable emotion. She seated her.
self in an easy-chair near me, and we
talked without ceasing upon the interesting
theme until invited by her daughter TO the
tea-tsble, at eight clock, where we were
joined by French lady, eight or ten years
the junior of Madam Hamilton.
Our conversation began abruptly.
Il have lately visited 20 Ford. at
Aiorrlstown," remarked.
Judge Ford, Judge Ford" she re-
peated musingly. "oh, remember now.
He called on me a few years ago and
brought to my recollection many little
events which occurred while was at Nor
rislown with my father aud mother during
the war, and which had forgotten. re-
member him as bright boy, much thought
of by Mr.. Hamilton, who was then Wash
iugton's secretary he brought to mamma
and me from Mrs. Washington an invita-
tion to headquarters soon after our arrival
at Morristown."
Had you ever seen Mrs. Washington
bsforeP" ! inquired.
"Nsyer. She received US SO kindly kiss
ing US both, for the General and papa were
very warm friends. She was then almost
fity years old, but was still handsome.
She was quite short; plump little woman
with dark brown eyes, her hair little
frosty, and very plainly dressed for such a
grand lady as l Iconsldsr her, She wore 4
plaln brown gown Of homespun Etuf, 4
large white nsckerchisf. q neat cap, and
her plain gold wedding ring which shs had
| MN uara than iManhH Vanra Ear araaAa