Hamilton Grange The Years Since The Public Man The story of the Alexander Hamiltons and their Alexander Hamilton was "the most restless, rural refuge illustrates a recurring theme in impatient, artful, indefatigable, and unprincipled American life: the ever present tension between intriguer in the United States," wrote John the city and the country. As soon as he was Adams, the second president of the United financially able, Hamilton had moved his family States and a member of Hamilton's own political far from the heat, noise, and disease of the city, party. James Madison, a political opponent, an action increasingly common among those in wrote that Hamilton "possessed intellectual his position after the mid-18th century. Yet even powers of the first order." George Washington, as he established his wife and children in an who knew Hamilton well, observed that some idyllic rural setting, Hamilton himself constantly people considered him "an ambitious man, and returned to the more exciting challenges of the therefore a dangerous one." Washington went urban scene, both because he thrived on city I on to suggest, however, that Hamilton's life and needed to finance his country estate. ambitious streak was "of that laudable kind which prompts a man to excell in whatever he After the death of her husband, Elizabeth takes in hand. He is enterprising, quick in his Hamilton remained at the Grange until the house perceptions, and his judgment [is] intuitively was sold in 1834, when she herself moved to great." the city: to Washington, D. C, where she lived until 1854. For over a half century the Grange The comments of his contemporaries raise passed from one owner to another, until it was fascinating questions about the flamboyant, donated to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in 1889 combative, and often puzzling personality of and moved 2 blocks southeast to the present the builder of Hamilton Grange. Alexander location. At that time the front and side porches Hamilton thrived on controversy; during much were removed and the house was turned of his life, he seemed deliberately to create it. around. But the 13 gum trees continued to He found life most worth living when it was grow at the original site until they were cut filled with excitement, competition, and danger. down to make way for residential development He was a proud and brilliant man, with the that was part of city expansion in 1912. The insatiable desire for glory that was known in the American Scenic and Historic Preservation 18th century as "a craving for distinction." Society acquired the Grange in 1924 and Yet there was another, gentler, side to the opened it to the public 9 years later. The Hamilton personality, and it is that little known National Park Service has managed the site side, among other things, that the Grange since 1962 as a National Memorial. Eventually, illustrates. the house will be restored to its appearance in the Hamiltons' time. The many-sided complexity of the man who built Hamilton Grange for his family grew out of Hamilton Grange Today an insecure and troubled childhood. Hamilton In the neighborhood surrounding Hamilton was born in 1755 in the West Indies, an Grange today, visitors observe a scene vastly illegitimate child of James Hamilton, a ne'er-do- changed from the sparsely settled agricultural well son of the Laird of the Grange, Ayrshire, community of the early 19th century. The Scotland. Alexander's mother was Rachel Grange now stands amid busy thorofares, stately Fawcett Lavien, high-spirited daughter of a brownstone homes, churches, schools, and French Huguenot physician. James Hamilton's museums—all of which remind us that the poor business practices led to bankruptcy, and growth of a city has brought many changes in he eventually deserted Rachel and his two sons the use of the land. National Memorial, New York when Alexander was 10 years old.

Inside the Grange today, however, the voices At 13, the boy became a clerk in the commer­ and lively footsteps of touring school groups cial firm of Nicholas Cruger on St. Croix Island. recall a time 175 years ago when other children He worked diligently, gradually assuming —the offspring of Elizabeth and Alexander greater responsibility until he was entrusted to Hamilton—inhabited their comfortable home on run the business single-handedly during the Harlem Heights. Modern visitors find an inter­ owner's long absences. But Alexander longed pretive program planned around themes of for the social and economic status his father drama, music, and colonial crafts. In December, had known in Scotland, and he chafed at the community residents gather at the Grange to "groveling" life of a clerk. He day-dreamed on decorate an early American Christmas tree. paper of performing great deeds of valor in the And during the spring and summer, children's future. Hamilton set out as a very young man garden plots in the yard recall the horticultural to attain eminence. interest of Alexander Hamilton himself during the last years of his life. The Grange today is a A hurricane lashed St. Croix in August 1772, thriving community center in the midst of a making a deep impression on the youth. He crowded and cosmopolitan urban scene. wrote a vivid description of the storm, which was subsequently published. The "Hurricane For Your Safety Letter" provided Hamilton with a means to Do not allow your visit to be spoiled by an escape the dreariness of a clerk's life. A accident. Be careful walking up and down the Presbyterian minister and other leading citizens, stairs; they are quite slippery when wet. impressed by the talents of the boy, decided to finance his education in North America. About Your Visit Hamilton Grange National Memorial is located Soon after his arrival on the continent, Hamilton at Convent Ave. and West 141st St. Take the threw himself into a whirlwind academic 8th Ave. IND Express subway to West 145th St. program. Of this period in his life, he later Or catch Broadway bus #4 to West 145th St. wrote: and Convent Ave., or Convent Ave. bus #3 to By a course of study and laborious exertion, 142nd St. The Grange is open from 9 to 5 daily. I was able, by the age of Nineteen, to quality Inquiries regarding the area should be directed myself for the degree of Batchelor of Arts in the to the Superintendent, New York Group, College of New York, and to lay a foundation, National Park Service, 26 Wall St., New York, by preparatory study, for the future profession NY 10005. of the law.

As the Nation's principal conservation agency, But before the eager student completed his the Department of the Interior has responsibility course at King's College (now Columbia for most of our nationally owned public lands University) he became involved in the political and natural resources. This includes fostering agitation that shook the colonies in the mid- the wisest use of our land and water resources, 17705. His reading included far more than the protecting our fish and wildlife, preserving the assigned college material, and his circle of environmental and cultural values of our 1 friends extended beyond his student peer group. national parks and historical places, and He followed with great interest the radical providing for the enjoyment of life through writings of James Otis, John Adams, and John outdoor recreation. The Department assesses Dickinson. At the same time, he pondered the words of his older Presbyterian friends about our energy and mineral resources and works to o assure that their development is in the best a. the new revolutionary movement. When Boston- CO interests of all people. The Department also has New York City. He wrote newspaper CO a articles and pamphlets urging colonial union and resistance against Parliamentary inter­ National Park Service < =1 ference with American rights. Within a year, U.S. Department of the Interior Hamilton had become one of the leading Hamilton deplored the confusion and weakness somewhat passed fifteen, who all promise well, exponents of the patriot viewpoint. he observed in the Confederation, and it was as far as their years permit, and yield me partly through his efforts that the Constitutional much satisfaction. Though I have been too Although he supported the rebel cause, Convention convened at Philadelphia in 1787 to much in public life to be wealthy, my situation Hamilton feared social disorder and was deal with the problem. A leader of the right is extremely comfortable and leaves me determined that mob rule should be avoided. wing forces at the convention, Hamilton called nothing to wish but a continuance of health. He once defended the Loyalist president of his for a powerful, unified federal system, headed college, Dr. Myles Cooper, from attack by an by an indirectly elected, life-tenured executive. In November 1798, Hamilton wrote his wife, angry street crowd, even though he disagreed Although the Constitution as it was finally whom he called Betsy: "I have formed a sweet with Cooper's political views. Authority to drafted fell short of his wishes, he considered it project ... in which I rely that you will control an unruly populace should be vested in far superior to the Articles of Confederation, cooperate with me cheerfully." The "sweet a strong civil government, he believed. and he worked to secure ratification by the project" was the purchase of land on upper States. Hamilton wrote many of the influential Manhattan Island and the building of the only When the American Revolution broke out in Federalist Papers, in cooperation with James home the Hamiltons ever owned. Betsy did 1775, Hamilton, while deploring the violence of Madison and John Jay, to explain and advocate cooperate, of course, taking over the supervi­ citizen groups, lauched himself enthusiastically adoption of the constitution. sion of construction and landscaping operations into a military career—a significant milestone during her husband's frequent absences in his quest for glory. During the second year Hamilton has been called an administrative necessitated by his law practice in New York of the war, as a newly commissioned captain, genuis, and his accomplishments as the first City. As a mother, she guided the activities of he led his artillery company effectively in cover­ Secretary of the United States Treasury, begin­ the children at lessons, at prayer, and at play. ing both the retreat of Washington's army to ning in 1789, support the statement. In this In addition, she frequently entertained guests Philadelphia and its later advance back across capacity, he provided brilliant leadership, and supervised the work of the household the Delaware and through New Jersey. establishing a firm economic base for the new servant staff. She also found time to do a great Nation. He devised plans for funding the national deal of reading, a pursuit her husband encouraged. Hamilton's solid military performance in the debt, securing credit, and organizing a federal battles of Harlem Heights, White Plains, Trenton, bank. Seeing, too, the great possibilities for and Princeton, combined with his impressive American industry, Hamilton used his position The new Federal-style house was designed by personal manner, soon won him a position as to encourage the growth of business and John McComb, architect of New York City Hall. General Washington's aide-de-camp. In this manufacturing enterprises. But he insisted on Building materials were contributed largely by post he became a close friend and confidant of firm government regulation of commerce for the Elizabeth's father and shipped down the Hudson the general, and again contributed substantially public good. from the Schuyler estate near Albany. to the Continental cause. Completed in 1802, the Grange was situated In addition to his financial services, Hamilton high on a knoll in the upper Manhattan country­ Within the inner circle of Revolutionary was a trusted and powerful advisor to President side, where the family could enjoy a majestic command, Hamilton used his influence with Washington on international affairs. He urged view of both the Hudson and Harlem Rivers. Washington to press for the participation of closer cooperation with Britain at a time when blacks, both slave and free, in the Continental relations between France and England were The Grange was very important to Alexander Army. His argument was two-fold. On the quite strained. His position conflicted with that Hamilton even though he was unable to spend practical level, the black population was badly of Thomas Jefferson and James Madison, who as much time there as he wished. He named the needed to help meet the manpower crisis admired Republican France, and also disagreed house in honor of the ancestral seat of the resulting from resignations, desertions, and with Hamilton about the degree of centralization Hamilton family in Scotland. But perhaps more expiration of terms among white troops. More required for effective national government. importantly, he cherished the Grange as a place significantly, Hamilton insisted that slaves When war with France seemed imminent in of refuge from the buffetings of a hostile world, inducted into the army should be emancipated, 1798, Hamilton received a commission as a place, he once wrote, "where I am always sure because their willingness to fight for the patriot major general in the army. But war was narrowly to find a sweet asylum from care and pain." cause entitled them to the privileges of free averted, and by the end of the century, the men. He believed also that to keep black people Republican leadership of Jefferson had gained One of his major joys was the creation of a in perpetual slavery was incompatible with the enough popular support to defeat the Hamil- garden on his new estate. Even before moving ideals expressed in the Declaration of tonian Federalists and win the Presidency. to the country, Hamilton had collected advice Independence. He rejected the widespread on gardening from various country gentlemen, conviction that white men were inherently and he had a large plot prepared with fertilizer. superior to "people of color." Apparently with In 1802 he wrote to a friend about the meaning Washington's approval, Hamilton wrote to John of this project in his life: Jay, President of the Continental Congress in A garden, you know, is a very usual refuge of March 1779, urging slave enlistment on the a disappointed politician. Accordingly, I have basis of racial equality. "The contempt we have purchased a few acres about nine miles from been taught to entertain for the blacks, makes town, have built a house, and am cultivating a us fancy many things that are founded neither garden. in reason nor in experience. . . . The dictates of humanity and true policy, equally interest me in The Hamiltons grew a variety of vegetables, favor of this unfortunate class of men," he fruits, and ornamentals, and had enough straw­ wrote. Given equal opportunities with white berries, cabbage, and asparagus to sell at a people, blacks would eventually prove that "their natural faculties are as good as ours." small profit. They planted 13 gum trees, a pres­ ent from Washington, in a group near the house to symbolize each of the colonies. Hamilton never urged that black soldiers serve under officers of their own race, however, and Alexander Hamilton, as well as Elizabeth, took he himself continued to hold slaves throughout a keen interest in the children's lives during the his life. Yet as a founding member of the New Grange years. Philip, the eldest, received York Society for the Manumission of Slaves, special attention from his father. After the youth he was ahead of his time in proposing publicly graduated from Columbia College in 1800, that free blacks be given the vote and that Hamilton drew up a set of strict "Rules for Mr. slavery should be abolished. Hamilton under­ Philip Hamilton," for his son's guidance as a law stood, perhaps better than many of his more student. The rules specified early rising and liberal compatriots, the relationship of the retiring, with long hours of study in between. Revolution to the rights of black Americans. On Saturday afternoons, Philip was "at liberty to amuse himself." The rules were essentially As George Washington's assistant, he handled the same ones by which Alexander Hamilton, numerous other difficult problems with great during his own student days, prepared for his efficiency during the darkest period of the war. life of extraordinary accomplishment. But the But Hamilton was never satisfied with the non- Hamiltons' hopes for Philip were dashed when combatant role of an aide-de-camp. He asked the volatile youth was killed in a duel that re­ repeatedly for an assignment to active duty, sulted from a political quarrel. The family never which was finally granted in 1781. As a The Family Man fully recovered from the shock. lieutenant colonel at age 26, he served with The loss of political power was a bitter experi­ distinction at Yorktown, the last major battle ence for the ambitious Hamilton. In his dis­ Alexander Hamilton had urged his oldest son to of the Revolution. appointment he turned increasingly to private follow his example in life. But in death, it was life for his satisfactions—to the building of a the father who retraced the steps of the son. In the years following the war, Hamilton took a long-neglected law practice, stronger family Two years after Philip died, on the same leading part in the evolution of the new relationships, and a home in the country. duelling field in Weehawken, New Jersey, Aaron American Nation. As a delegate to the Congress Burr and Alexander Hamilton climaxed years of of the Confederation, the young statesman saw During the Revolution, he had courted and political and personal animosity. Hamilton, at close range the difficulties of trying to govern married Elizabeth Schuyler. He summed up the despite his moral objections to duelling—a 13 independent states without a central power meaning of his marriage and family life in a practice he had helped to outlaw in New York base. A consistent, effective foreign policy 1797 letter: State—felt compelled to defend his honor by seemed impossible, and the loosely knit, In the year 1780 I married the second daughter accepting Burr's challenge. On the morning of squabbling provinces moved in erratic and of General [Philip] Schuyler, A gentleman of July 11, 1804, he discharged his own weapon dangerously uncoordinated economic patterns. one of the best families of this Country; of into the air to avoid killing his antagonist, but The States set up trade barriers against one large fortune and no less personal and public was himself fatally wounded by Burr's well- another, lacked uniform currencies, and often consequence. It is impossible to be happier aimed bullet. Hamilton's dream of a happy and refused to cooperate with the Congress' than I am in a wife, and I have five Children, respected life at the Grange was cut short only financial requests. four sons and a daughter; the eldest a son 2 years after the house was completed.