Alexander Hamilton writes to his beloved wife, Eliza, informing her of the deteriorating health of her younger sister, Peggy

Albany, Tuesday, Feb(ruary) 25, 1801. One sheet folded to make four pages, 7 3/4 x 5 in. (197 x 127 mm). Autograph letter, signed by Alexander Hamilton, to his wife, Elizabeth Schuyler ("Eliza"), regarding the deteriorating health of her sister, Margarita "Peggy" Schuyler Van Rensselaer: "My Dear Eliza/Your sister Peggy has gradu-/ally grown worse & it is now in a situation that/her dissolution in the opinion of the Doctor/is not likely to be long delayed. The/L. Governor sends the bearer to bring home/his Child--I have not time to add/more/Adieu my Eliza/A.H." Addressed on integral leaf in Hamilton's hand: "Mrs. Hamilton/No. 26 Broadway/New York", wax seal partially intact on same; further docketed at bottom by Hamilton, "Mrs. H." Creasing from original folds; scattered minor soiling; light residue at top and bottom edge of integral address leaf; some scattered light wear along edges.

A rare letter, written by Alexander Hamilton to his wife Eliza, informing her of her younger sister Peggy's deteriorating health. Peggy would pass away about two weeks after this letter was written, on March 14, from an unknown illness, at the age of 42. The "L. Governor" mentioned in this letter was Peggy's husband, Stephen Van Rensselaer (1764-1839), who served as Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1795 to 1801. Peggy and Stephen's only surviving child, Stephen (1789-1868), is the child referred to in this letter to be immediately brought home; he was 11 years old at the time.

"Eliza's younger sister Peggy was married to Stephen Van Rensselaer (Hamilton crowned her with the comic nickname 'Mrs. Patroon') and had been gravely ill for two years. For a time, doctors plied her with oxygen that helped revive her. Then, in early March 1801, while Hamilton was waylaid in Albany on legal business, Peggy's health deteriorated. Hamilton visited her bedside often and kept Eliza posted on developments. When Hamilton finished his court work, Peggy asked him to stay for a few days, and he complied with her wishes. In mid-March, Hamilton had to send Eliza a somber note: 'On Saturday, my dear Eliza, your sister took leave of her suffering and friends, I trust, to find repose and happiness in a better country...I long to come to console and comfort you, my darling Betsey. Adieu my sweet angel. Remember the duty of Christian resignation.' Peggy's funeral at the Patroon's manor house was attended by all of his many tenants, marching in mourning." (Ron Chernow, Alexander Hamilton, 2004)

This letter is printed in The Papers of Alexander Hamilton, vol. 25, July 1800 – April 1802, ed. Harold C. Syrett. New York: Columbia University Press, 1977, pp. 342–343.

We cannot locate this letter being offered at auction. Rare.

Provenance

According to Founders, Mr. Andrew Joyner (1894-1972), Greensboro, North Carolina

Private Collection