Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1902-05-01
Pts tolls IN BURR-HAMILTOM
DUEL
Same Were Used at Death of Generals
Son


Son.
Since the publication in the Sun Of
three letters new to the public describ-
ln8 the last hours of Alexander Hamil-
ton, the statement made then that
Maj. Richard Church of Belvidpre n
y, had the pistols used in the Burr
Hamilton duel has been questioned
Possibly the half-dOzen or NOR
owners of duelling pistols which they
believe were used on this occasion
may be acting in good faith. but their.
statements show that they are mis-
informed. From Maj. Church the Sun
Las secured the following mcmorau-
dunn, which was filed away with the
! dueiIing pistols and which is an
! the ntiC:-.
These pistols were brought to this
country by John b. Church when he
returned here in 1897 he having pur-
chased them in London whilst thcra
When Col. Burr challenged him. he
being the challenged party. of course
mad the right to the choice of weapons
and used those pistols in that duel
N j
September 7. 1893.
The cause of this duel was this.
At dinner by Chancellor Livingston
John B. Church, after the cloth was
removed, in the course of cOnversa-
| ton, mentioned a report that he nal
ieard at Albany, from where he had
Just returned, that the Holland land
| company had cancelled a bond for 500
600 against Col. Burr. for services
rendered in the legislature.
This reached the ears of Col. Burr.
who demanded an apology. John b.
Church declined any further than to
say that perhaps he was indiscrect in
repeating the accusation without
fuller authority. This was not &C
| CepteA
The challenge was sent They met
and exchanged shots without effect
The ball from Mr.. Church's pistol
struck button from Col. Rurr's coat
and passed through his vest. Col
burr then received the explanation
which Mr.. Church had previously
made, remarking that an exclamation
might be received as satisfactory
after shots had been exchanged that
would not have been admissible nc
fore.
Ihey were afterward, on January
10, 1909 used in the duel between
Phlllp Hamilton Ca son of Gen. UamiI-
tom and j. G. Eckert. Philip Hamf,-
ton being challenged had the choice
q weapons. My father, Philip Church.
was Philip Hamiltons second on this
occasion. The duel was fought an
tle same spot where Col Burr an
Johh b. Church met. Philip HamiI-
ton was killed.
me same pistols were used ag11J,
IN the duel between Gen. Hamilton
and Col. Aaron Burr on the same
ground at WeehaWken, where the two
previous battles had been fought. on
July II, 1904. Gen. Hamilton was
mortally wounded and died next dav
july II, at Mr.. Bayard's house in New
ork' where he was taken i'm
mediately after the duel.
Alter his death his remains ware
taken to the house Of John B. Church
this brother-in-lawD. and from there.
to Trinity church.
1t is claimed by many of Col Bnrr's
friends that he furnished the pistols.
ne being the challenging party had no
light so to do, and it would have
heen against all rules Of the code.
MY fathers statement TO me about
TINS duel was as follows:
When Gen Hamilton accepted the
challenge from Col. Burr he said 10
John B. Church, his brOther-in-law
'they having both married daughters
81 Gen. Philip Schuyler -
What weapons am | to use? AS
The challenged party he had the right
70 select the weapons.
Why not use the same pistols
fought Burr With | suggested, which
ne declined to do"
My father, Philip Church, inherited
be pistols from his father, John 3.
Church. / inherited them from nv
ather, and they are now in my DOS
session. Ny father was private sec
etary to Gen. Hamilton.-New York