Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-10-18

ELIZABETH HAMILTON-"Betsy"-w Of
L Alexander Hamilton and daughter Of Philip
J. Schuyler, appointed one OF the Tour major
generals in the Continental Army in IT'S lived
in Washington fer many years and died here
at the advaced age Of 81, noble, hlghly-re-
spected woman. To Col. Hamilton she was mar
ried December a. 1880. Just when she first
came here the writer cannot say but In let
ter written by Mrs Samuel Harrison Smith IN
the Spring of 1879 we find her saying: For
your sake dear Maria I will visit Mrs. Ham
uton though I have resisted many inducements
to make new acquaintance"
correspondent, writing Of State dinner
at the White House during President FL
mores administration, 1850-1853 makes the
following mention of this notable woman:
AT a state dinner met Mrs. Alexander
Hamilton whom Mr. Fillmore escorted to the
table, plain little old lady and very plainly
dressed. The dinner consisted Of nine courses
and we sat from to 9. Through the entire
length of the table was mirror about foot
In width with a scrt Of bird-cage arrangement
at the edges, on which, at intervals were placed
vases of artificial flowers; We saw very few
natural flowers and there conservatory
at the White House
Previous to this find at the birth might
BALI at the White House, February %. 1845
that President Tyler YVES accompanied by
Presdent-eect Polk, and that Mrs. Madison
was present with Mrs Alexander Hamilton"
How interesting these social functions must
have been. since it was her Hamilton as she
always called him, who planned the social fea-
lures that Washington was to have as Presi-
dent.
Mrs Hamilton was a charitable woman and
1t was due to her efforts that the first orphan
asylum in New York was established, and she
had the great pleasure Ct being present in
Epiphany Church. in this city. at the fiftieth
anniversary OF its founding, when memorial
service held
It was while living in Washington that this
venerable woman secured the passage of an
appropriation for the purchase and publication
of her illustrious husbands papers, which she
had carefully preserved in 81 folio volumes, for
no woman ever revered the memory of her de-
ceased consort more than did she, and it is
said she was always ready to purchase, even
at an exorbitant price, stray copies OF his cele-
brated pamphlet in which he avowed his in
fidelity to her rather than expose himself to
a charge of official misconduct.
The home of Mrs. Hamilton, where she Hved
with her daughter. Mrs Holley probably the
wife of John Milton Holley, who served rs a
Representative in Congress from New York,
from 1847 to 1848-stood on the site of what
would now be 1925 H street northwest little
east of the alley 1t was one of two hands, me
three-Story brick residences, built by Count
de Menon, and which stood back from the
building line, with fence bordering it, OF fes-
TONED chains. In the ether house lived about
1850, Gen. Winfield Scott and his wife
IT was in the H street residence that Mrs.
Hamilton. the beautiful Betsy" Of Hamil-
tons day. breathed her last, and Of which The
Star of November TO- 1884, says:
Death of a Distinguished Lady.-We have
heretofore noticed the dangerous illness Of Mrs.
Alexander Hamilton, the venerated widow of
Gen. Alexander Hamilton, and aide to Gen.
Washington in the Revolution, and the first
Secretary of the Treasury of the United States.
Notwithstanding the most skilful attentions of
the attending physician, DR.. Hall, and the
assiduous nursing of her affectionate daughter,
Mrs Holley. she expired yesterday morning. Her
two sons, James A. and John c. Hamilton Esq,
of New York, were also present at her illness
and death. The remains were taken to the
depot this morning, and left for New York,
accompanied only by the family. Mrs Hamilton
was the daughter OF Gen. Philip j. Schuyler
of Albany, distinguished in the Revolutionary
War. She lived to the very advanced age OF
81 years and three months, and died without
a struggle, in full communion with the Episcopal
Church. and surrounded by her surviving
children and a few particular friends"