#OTD in 1804, Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr dueled in New Jersey. Hamilton was mortally wounded and brought to the Bayards' home. Both his wife, Eliza Schuyler Hamilton, and her sister, Angelica Schuyler Church, were called to his side. Their story is as follows: (1/7) 
After the duel, as Hamilton's boat reached the Manhattan shore, he said, according to the doctor present at the scene, David Hosack, "'Let Mrs. Hamilton be immediately sent for—let the event be gradually broken to her; but give her hopes.'" (founders.archives.gov/documents/Hami…) (2/7)
Eliza was summoned from the Hamiltons' home, the Grange, to the Bayard's residence in Manhattan. She was told that her husband was having spasms and wanted her by his side. It is likely that she did not learn the truth until she'd arrived at the Bayards'. (3/7)
When she arrived, she was described by Hosack as "frantic with grief" and "half-distracted." She sat by Hamilton's side and did whatever she could to make him more comfortable, such as fanning his face when he was hot with fever. Only he could calm her in her grief. (4/7)
Angelica was present at the scene, as well. Gouverneur Morris described her as "weeping her heart out." As distraught as she was, she stepped away from her sister and brother-in-law long enough to pen a letter to her younger brother, Philip Jeremiah, pictured below. (5/7)
Angelica likely put on a veneer of false hope in the letter to her brother so that, if Philip Jeremiah were to tell their father, who was in ill health, he would not take as much of a shock as he would have if they told him the outright truth. (6/7)
As news of the duel spread through Manhattan, Hamilton's father-in-law, Philip Schuyler, who was at his home in Albany, was still unaware of the duel. Check back over the next few days for his reaction and more on Eliza and Angelica in the aftermath of Hamilton's duel. (7/7)
