Elizabeth Schuyler (Eliza)

Born: August 9, 1757 Died: Novermber 9, 1854

Elizabeth Schuyler (also known as Eliza) was born on August 9, 1757. She was born into a prominent Dutch family in Albany, New York. Her father, Philip, was a general, a politician, and a businessman. Her mother Catherine was also born into a prominent family. 

Eliza is most well known for being Alexander Hamilton’s wife. However, she did many important things even after he died. For example, she was the co-founder of the orphan asylum society which still exists, although it is now called Graham Windom. She founded the orphanage in 1806. She was named first directress and served 27 years in that role, leaving in 1848. She also helped to raise money for a memorial for George Washington. As a child her family owned many enslaved people but she grew to be an abolitionist  later in her life. 

Eliza married Hamilton in 1780 in her family’s mansion. They had eight children together. When he died she was so overcome with grief that she didn’t go to his funeral. They had been married for 24 years when he died.

Eliza ended up outliving Hamilton by fifty years, which means she was alive more than twice as long as he was. She died at age 97 on November 9, 1854.