#William Stephen Hamilton

[papers-pamphlet]

Only a total of three people here will get this

[alexanderhamiltonhasafatass]

Yeah William does not look like a straight man

[yr-obedt-cicero]

any good hamdad anecdotes? i've heard of a few and they're always really cute

Absolutely. I'll spare you the sad ones.

The time Hamilton chose crabs over Angelica's pie and teasingly reassured her it wasn't because they moved it (Hamilton was prone to forgetfulness, it's likely Angelica taunted him about this);

Give my love to Angelica & assure [her] that I did not leave her pye out of resentment for her having changed its original destination; but because it was impossible to take it with us without abandonning a basket of Crabs which was sent to my care for Mrs. Rensselaer. It has always been my creed that a lady’s pleasure is of more importance than a Gentleman’s, so the pye gave way to the Crabs. It was a nice question, but after mature reflection I decided in favour of the latter. Perhaps as a Creole I had some sympathy with them.

(source — Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [1801])

Three days before the duel, Hamilton laid out under a tree with all his kids until it got dark;

The next day, Sunday, before the heat of the day, [Alexander Hamilton] walked with his wife over all the pleasant scenes of his retreat. On his return to the house, his family being assembled, he read the morning service of the Episcopal church. The intervening hours till evening were spent in kind companionship; and at the close of the day, gathering around him his children under a near tree, he laid with them upon the grass until the stars shone down from the heavens.

(source — Life of Alexander Hamilton, by John Church Hamilton)

While preparing for the Grange, camping out in the yard reminded Hamilton of his war days and he told the kids about war stories;

[D]uring the erection of [Hamilton’s] rural dwelling, he caused a tent to be pitched, and camp-stools to be placed under the shading trees. He measured distances, as though measuring the frontage of a camp; and then, as he walked along, his step seemed to fall naturally into the cadenced pace of a practiced drill. It was his delight in his hours of relaxation to return to scenes and incidents of his early life, when fighting for this country, and praying for its protection.

(source — Life of Alexander Hamilton, by John Church Hamilton)

Hamilton often slept besides his kids, and found amusement in playing with Holly;

I am here my beloved Betsy with my two little boys John & William who will be my bed fellows to night. The day I have passed was as agreeable as it could be in your absence; but you need not be told how much difference your presence would have made […] The remainder of the Children were well yesterday. Eliza pouts and plays, and displays more and more her ample stock of Caprice.

(source — Alexander Hamilton to Elizabeth Hamilton, [March 20, 1803])

Hamilton used to sing while Angelica played the piano;

Hamilton's gentle nature rendered his house a joyous one to his children and friends. He accompanied His daughter Angelica when she played and sang the piano. His intercourse with his children was always affectionate and confiding, which excited in them a corresponding confidence and devotion.

(source — Reminiscences of James A. Hamilton)

Hamilton used to take James on carriage rides when he had to travel places and gave him advice;

While we were living at the Grange I used to drive out with my father, and often accompanied him when he dined with his friend Gouverneur Morris. During one of these drives, soon after my conversation with my uncle, I told my father what I had learned, and made the suggestion which Mr. Morton had requested. He replied without hesitation, ‘‘No, my son; if I received a part of the profits of that business, I should be responsible for it; as I cannot attend to it, I cannot consent to receive what I do not earn.’’

(source — Reminiscences of James A. Hamilton)

Hamilton often helped his sons with their speeches, and once gave James a thesis on discretion as a subtle hint he was a bit too talkative;

The first impression as to the words underscored was, that I might need the Thesis as an exercise. Immediate subsequent events of the most painful character induced the belief that it was intended as an admonition that I wanted that ‘homely virtue,’ discretion, of which the thesis treated. How far I have profited by the admonition this relation of the errors of my life may prove. The reader may perhaps say that in attempting to write these reminiscences I have shown that the admonition was thrown away.

(source — Reminiscences of James A. Hamilton)

Hamilton was overjoyed at Philip's performance at his last oration, that he said he was the only one who could have surpassed him;

The eldest child was a son, on whom his hopes rested with a confidence that would not have been disappointed. Distinguished for genius and elevated feeling from his earliest years, this youth had recently graduated at Columbia College. So satisfied was his father with the display of talent in an oration delivered by him at the end of his academic career, that he re-marked: ‘‘I could not have been contented to have been surpassed by any other than my son;’’ and never was he more delighted than with the gratulations which poured in upon him on this occasion.

(source — History of the republic of the United States of America, as traced in the writings of Alexander Hamilton and of his contemporaries, by John Church Hamilton)

He used to play marbles and fly kites with his younger boys;

What a home Hamilton's lovely nature made to all its inmates! By his family he was adored; the humblest member of his household seemed contented with his lot, as he walked forth at early morn to direct their labors with kind greetings and kinder smiles. “Would not this be well?” “Might not this be better?” were the terms of his guidance. [...] Their education now was under his frequent supervision; their course of reading was indicated, and their themes corrected. Every source of usefulness and virtuous pleasure he would cultivate with severer studies—music; (he sang a little)—the graces and the arts; with his younger boys he played marbles and flew kites, making merry pastime.

(source — History of the republic of the United States of America, as traced in the writings of Alexander Hamilton and of his contemporaries, by John Church Hamilton)

Hamilton was too anxious about letting Philip travel on his own, so he barely let him travel for very long and had a friend keep an eye on him;

As my eldest son Philip, who lately graduated, will pass through Providence on his way to Boston, I give him this line barely to introduce him to you; since the time I have prescribed for his return will not permit the stay of more than a day at Providence.

(source — Alexander Hamilton to Jeremiah Olney, [August 12, 1800])

The night before the duel, Hamilton slept besides John C.;

I recall a single incident about it with full clearness. [...] The day before the duel I was sitting in a room, when, at a slight noise, I turned around and saw my father in the doorway, standing silently there and looking at me with a most sweet and beautiful expression of countenance. It was full of tenderness, and without any of the business pre-occupation he sometimes had. “John,” he said, when I had discovered him, “won't you come and sleep with me to-night?” His voice was frank as if he had been my brother instead of my father. That night I went to his bed, and in the morning very early he awakened me, and taking my hands in his palms, all four hands extended, he said and told me to repeat the Lord's Prayer. Seventy-five years have since passed over my head, and I have forgotten many things, but not that tender expression when he stood looking at me in the door nor the prayer we made together the morning before the duel. I do not so well recollect seeing him lie upon his deathbed, though I was there.

(source — Interview with John Church Hamilton, reminiscences about his father)

That's all I can think of for now, but I'm sure there's more.

[lizahamilton]

My Children and Their Birth Dates

Phillip - 22 January, 1782

Angelica - 25 September, 1784

Alexander Jr. - 16 May, 1786

James Alexander - 14 April, 1788

John Church - 22 August, 1792

William Stephen - 4 August, 1797

Eliza - 20 November, 1799

Phillip "Little Phil" - 1 June, 1802

We also raised Frances "Fanny" Antill, an orphan who lived with us for ten years starting in 1787 (she was two years old). Alexander and I had 9 children, including the ten years Fanny was with us.

[46ten]

The Importance of being a Van Rensselaer

Van Rensselaer of Rensselaerswyck: the Boy Patroon, is a chapter in Historic Boys: Their Endeavors, Their Achievements, and Their Times by E.S. Brooks (1885). The whole thing is a bit of a wild read. I’m also guffawing a bit at Stephen Van Rensselaer III (above, in a Gilbert Stuart portrait from the 1790s) treated as worthy of a chapter when the other “boy” subjects are Marcus (Aurelius, the Emperor) William of Normandy (the Conqueror), Frederick (the Emperor), Baldwin (the King), Louis (the XIV), and so on. Maybe they needed an American subject of similar aristocratic bent. Then again, Stephen would be worth about $126 BILLION today (December 2022 American dollars)! He has been included in a list of the 10 richest Americans of all time. 

This chapter has some amazing paragraphs:

The news fell with a sudden shock upon the little city of the Dutchmen. Ticonderoga fallen, and the Indians on the war-path! Even the most stolid of the Albany burghers felt his heart beating faster, while many a mother looked anxiously at her little ones and called to mind the terrible tales of Indian cruelty and pillage. But the young Van Rensselaer, pressing close to the side of fair Mistress Margarita Schuyler, said soberly: "These be sad tidings, Margery; would it not be wiser for you all to come up to the manor-house for safety?"

"For safety?" echoed high-spirited Mistress Margery. "Why, what need, Stephanus? Is not my father in command at Fort Edward? and not for Burgoyne and all his Indians need we fear while he is there! So, many thanks, my lord patroon," she continued, with a mock courtesy; "but I 'm just as safe under the Schuyler gables as I could be in the Van Rensselaer manor-house, even with the brave young patroon himself as my defender."

The lad looked a little crestfallen; for he regarded himself as the natural protector of this brave little lady, whose father was facing the British invaders on the shores of the Northern lakes. Had it not been one, almost, of the unwritten laws of the colonie, since the day of the first patroon, that a Van Rensselaer should wed a Schuyler? Who, then, should care for a daughter of the, house of Schuyler in times of trouble but a son of the house of Rensselaer? [My emphasis.]

And this:

"Time was, lad, when your ancestors, the lord patroons of Rensselaerswyck, were makers and masters of the law in this their colonie. From their own forts floated their own flag and frowned their own cannon. Their word was law and from Beeren's Island to Pafraet's Dael the Heer Van Rensselaer's orders were obeyed without question. Forts and flags and cannon are no longer yours, Stephen, and we would not have it otherwise; but your word still holds as good with your tenantry as did that of the first boy patroon, Johannes the son of Killian, when, backed by his gecommitteerden  and his sclzepens, he bearded the Heer General Stuyvesant and claimed all Rensselaerswyck as his 'by right of arms.' Try your word with them, lad. Let me be your gecommitteerden and, in the name of the patroon, demand from your tenantry of Rensselaerswyck provisions and forage for our gallant troops."

Yes, remember your obligations as 8th Patroon, Stephen. I wonder how many requests for assistance he received? Here’s his response from one from his brother-in-law, AH, in a letter dated 6Nov 1797:

I received your letter on the subject of Mr. [Josiah Ogden] Hoffmans embarrassments [he was heavily in debt] altho I always feel disposed to aid those who are in distress & particularly those for whom I have a friendship yet when I reflect on the extent of the operation proposed & the sacrifices I should be obliged to make to fulfill my engagements if I became responsible a sense of duty to my family forbids me acceding to the proposition.

And that’s why he’s one of the 10 richest Americans ever! Continuing...

I congratulate you on the birth of your son [William Stephen Hamilton, born 4Aug1797]. I hope he may inherit your talents & virtues. My wife as well as myself are much flattered with the name & joins me in love to Mrs H & Children.

There’s been speculation that Stephen is being a little sarcastic here with the “talents and virtues” thing so soon after publication of the Reynolds Pamphlet, but “talents and virtues” was a very common phrase to describe a person, so it would have been glaring if Stephen had only praised AH’s “talents,” or made no mention of his hopes and wishes for his newest namesake. 

Back to the Van Rensselaers with some literary references to them:

From Chapter One of Moby Dick:

No, when I go to sea, I go as a simple sailor, right before the mast, plumb down into the forecastle, aloft there to the royal mast-head. True, they rather order me about some, and make me jump from spar to spar, like a grasshopper in a May meadow. And at first, this sort of thing is unpleasant enough. It touches one’s sense of honour, particularly if you come of an old established family in the land, the Van Rensselaers, or Randolphs, or Hardicanutes. And more than all, if just previous to putting your hand into the tar-pot, you have been lording it as a country schoolmaster, making the tallest boys stand in awe of you. The transition is a keen one, I assure you, from a schoolmaster to a sailor, and requires a strong decoction of Seneca and the Stoics to enable you to grin and bear it. But even this wears off in time.

The Van Rensselaers are thought to be the basis of the fictional van der Luydens, the ones who “stood above them all” in NY society in Edith Wharton’s The Age of Innocence. Wharton was distantly related to the Van Rensselaers herself. There’s some speculation that Wharton’s great love was a Van Rensselaer descendant, Walter Van Rensselaer Berry. And to take this all the way back, Walter Berry’s doubles partner in tennis (they made the finals of the U.S. Championship in 1884) was his cousin Alexander Van Rensselaer, a grandson of Stephen Van Rensselaer III. 

P.S. The Heritage History website is very interesting for its cataloguing of old books (c 1850-1920 or so) on various subjects. 

[garnishwithnightshade]

oh my goodness. this resurfacing of my old wm s. hamilton posts, has reminded me of the fanfiction i began writing when i was 14 (and never finished) of me meeting billy just weeks before his death.

the concept was that i would somehow save him? also i was 14 in the fanfiction. i remember comparing it to one of those online games where you have to take care of the pet daycare or baby daycare, except with a middle-aged man. i was really amused by the idea.

i also drew myself in a charming little 1850s outfit, but idk where i put the sketch. for all i know i threw it away 😔

[gallows-polls]

I don’t know how good terms John Church Hamilton’s children were on with William Stephen, (considering the episode with JCH’s son John Cornelius and his wife Angeline Romer and their relationship with William), but currently thinking about how if William hadn’t died in 1850 and had lived for another six years he would’ve gotten the family he wanted around him again when Henry Halleck and Elizabeth arrived to San Francisco in 1856…

[yr-obedt-cicero]

B. Washington seems to have clearly been close to the Hamkids, since he's monitoring and watching a bunch of them.

The daughter is likely Angelica, since the description of “interesting” was probably hinting towards her mentally ill behaviors.

“If Eliza will accept the paternal love of an old man, offer it to her in my name. She will not I want doubt my sincerity.” Oh... Ouch. B. Washington offering to be Holly's father figure.

“William needs to kill a deer and be a man.” I also think “Dandys” is just an outdated term for the modern term of; Yankees.

Either way, B. Washington was so sweet to these kids because they lacked a consistent father in their lives and that's so sweet.

Bushrod Washington to Elizabeth Hamilton, Mount Vernon, [July 29, 1818]

I send you my much esteemed and respected friend a letter where my Servant has I wish brought from Alex.  I mean to hopes that is communicated the most ___ intelligence and will promote the anxious wish of your friend at Mount Vernon. Woodlawn to detain you & your interesting Daughter & Son much beyond the earliest time of your departure.

I hope to pay my respects to you & the family of Mr. L. tomorrow morning. If Eliza will accept the paternal love of an old man, offer it to her in my name.  She will not I want doubt my sincerity.

I must, if hope will induce William to further exertion to kill a deer before he leaves Virginia. It is time he has endeared himself to us all by his amicable & simple manners, but he must not leave here for New York as of having been an unacceptable sportsman. What will the New York Dandys say?

Believe me my dear Madam

Your faithful & most obliged friend

Bush. Washington

The ladies of this family unite in but watched(?) to you & yours & the good family of Mr. L & yours at home, but, I know, whether ___.

[nerds-yearbook]

False Face, who had only appeared in the comics once, made his TV debute in the Batman episode "True or False Face" on March 9, 1966. ("True or False Face", Batman, TV, Event)

[papers-pamphlet]

This family is insane

[alexanderhamiltonhasafatass]

Philip isn't here because this is like 1805

[duranduratulsa]

Now showing on DuranDuranTulsa's Horror Show...It (2017) on amazing blu-ray! #movie #movies #horror #it #stephenkingsit #stephenking #pennywise #pennywisetheclown #billskarsgard #finnwolfhard #sophialillis #JaedenMartell #jackdylangrazer #JeremyRayTaylor #wyattoleff #JacksonRobertScott #nicholashamilton #ChosenJacobs #OwenTeague #stevenwilliams #bluray #2010s #durandurantulsa #durandurantulsashorrorshow

[yr-obedt-cicero]

A completed list of the Hamkids' signatures

[karingottschalk]

Stephen Leslie: Show & Tell - Episode 8: William Klein Special with exclusive photos you won't see anywhere else! – Commentary

Stephen Leslie: Show & Tell – Episode 8: William Klein Special with exclusive photos you won’t see anywhere else! – Commentary

Episode 8 of SHOW & TELL is a huge, epic special about the late, great William Klein. It’s very long BUT you have to watch it all if you want to see some photos you can’t really see anywhere else and hear some stories you definitely won’t hear anywhere else. William Klein was one of the greatest street photographers that ever lived but he was also way more than that. Join Stephen as he attempts…

[morphic-mythos]

DIVINA OBSCURA: a personal Hellenic library

Disclaimer: this post is a perpetual WIP, serving as an archive of all the books I've read on topics of Hellenic polytheism, mythology, ancient Greek history, and similar topics.

This is by no means a list of recommendations (in fact, there are some titles on this list I wouldn't recommend), but feel free to treat it that way if you're looking for suggestions!

Other reading masterlists:

ARCANA OBSCURA: a personal occult library

TRIVIA OBSCURA: books to honor Hekate

CLASSICS

The Odyssey, Homer

MYTHOLOGY

Mythos, Stephen Fry

Mythology, Edith Hamilton

Divine Might: Goddesses in Greek Myth, Natalie Haynes

HELLENIC RELIGION

Ancient Greek Religion, Jon D. Mikalson

Ancient Greek Divination, Sarah Iles Johnston

GREEK HISTORY

Creators, Conquerors, and Citizens, Robin Waterfield

MODERN WORSHIP

Hellenic Polytheism: Household Worship, Labrys

Hellenismos: Practicing Greek Polytheism Today, Tony Mierzwicki

In Praise of Olympus: Prayers to the Greek Gods, Hearthstone

A Year of Pagan Prayer, Barbara Nolan

Secrets of Greek Mysticism, George Lizos

THEURGY

The Practical Art of Divine Magic, Patrick Dunn

For the Love of the Gods, Brandy Williams

[gallows-polls]

A lot of info in this letter, but fascinating nether less because it confirms there was a photographic likeness taken of both William S. Hamilton and his sister, Eliza Hamilton Holly!

In this letter, Edgar writes that Eliza’s ‘likeness’ was photographed in around 1850, and was given to a 'Mrs Schultz' of the Pecatonica River, which, in turn, was later sent to Edgar's mother Angeline Hamilton in 1850. Philip II, who was noted by Edgar as having been in possession of William’s photograph, left behind no surviving descendants (his only grandchild, Louis, died in 1911), and so it is most likely that William’s photograph has been lost to time. However, as Angeline Hamilton had a copy of Eliza’s portrait, it could very well still be in possession of John Cornelius Hamilton’s descendants. After all, it was only recently that a portrait of Hamilton’s second son, James Alexander, that was held in the private collection of the Hamilton family was discovered and used by Samantha Wilcoxson for the front cover of her upcoming biography on James. (x) Wilcoxson was also able to source a portrait of James�� second daughter, Frances ‘Fanny’ Bowdoin (x).

Despite William's photographs (presumably) being lost, Edgar describes the features of his great uncle from this ‘ivory type' - "In it the features are clearly cut, the expression of the eyes sharp, giving one the idea of an interesting face full of strength, kindliness and intelligence.” This description also resembles William's only surviving portrait by Henry Inman.

EDGAR HAMILTON (1841-1926) TO CYRUS WOODMAN. (1814-1889)

-

Deckertown, N. J., April 1st, 1880.

Mr. Cyrus Woodman, Cambridge, Mass.

Dear Sir:

Some time since I had half a dozen photos of my great uncle William Stephen Hamilton struck off from a copy given me by Mr. Philip Hamilton, the youngest son of Alexander Hamilton. The features are not so distinctly cut as if taken from the original ivory-type by Rogers, of N. Y., which is now in possession of Mr. Philip Hamilton of Poughkeepsie, N. Y.

I have the companion likeness of Mrs. Holly, his favorite sister. This my mother received from Mrs. Schultz about 1850, and rather confirms the report that his papers were left with her. My mother remembers his law books, which she claims were received from his father. Voltaire and books in French were also received from his father whose library was largely. in French literature and languages.

Many of those books are still kept in possession of Mrs. Alexander Hamilton of New York. It was my purpose to transmit to Mr. Stephenson and Mr. Baldwin" (if I could discover his residence), a photograph each and also to Mr. S. one of Mrs. Holly, with whom he was acquainted.

If you will kindly transmit them I should be pleased to forward the extra copies I have in my possession to you. The two surviving brothers of Colonel Hamilton- Mr. John C. Hamilton of N. Y. and Mr. Philip Hamilton of Poughkeep-sie, N. Y.-may have papers in their possession and a knowledge of their brother William, which would be helpful for data, but I am informed that they have felt and do feel sensitive over the newspaper items reflecting upon them in connection with the monument. Some persons have been unnecessarily officious in sending them the different newspaper notices.

I have written to Mr. Philip Hamilton assuring him fully of the delicacy and kindness of your action in the whole matter, and in conversation with other members of the family have exonerated you from the newspaper notoriety incident to your work. The neglect of the family here grew out of the then great distance and difficulty of carrying out any plans, and the long separation which had run through quite all the years of his manhood preceding his death. This failure, however, only makes more beautiful your friendly act.

Yours gratefully,

EDGAR A. HAMILTON.

-

Source: Alexander Hamilton’s Pioneer Son: The Life and Times of Colonel William Stephen Hamilton.