Alexander Hamilton

Hamilton on the U.S. $10 bill, photo by iiievgeniy/Bigstock.com

Birth Name: Alexander John Hamilton

Date of Birth: January 11, 1757

Place of Birth: Charlestown, Nevis, British West Indies

Date of Death: July 12, 1804

Place of Death: New York City, New York, U.S.

Ethnicity: Scottish, likely some French Huguenot and English

Alexander Hamilton was an American statesman. He was a Founding Father of the United States. He served as Delegate to the Congress of the Confederation from New York, from November 4, 1782 to June 21, 1783, and from November 3, 1788 to March 2, 1789, as the 1st U.S. Secretary of the Treasury, from September 11, 1789 to January 31, 1795, and as Senior Officer of the Army, from December 14, 1799 to June 15, 1800.

Alexander was born in Charlestown, Nevis, British West Indies, the son of Rachel (Fawcett/Faucette/Fawcette) and James A. Hamilton. His father was Scottish. His mother was said to be of French Huguenot and English origin. Alexander was orphaned as a child. He arrived in the mainland United States in the early 1770s, living in New Jersey and New York.

Alexander was married to Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, who co-founded and was deputy director of the first private orphanage in New York City. The couple had eight children.

Alexander’s paternal grandfather was Alexander Hamilton (the son of John Hamilton and Rebecca Cunningham/Cunninghame). Alexander’s grandfather Alexander was a laird, from Grange, Ayrshire. John was the son of John Hamilton and Elizabeth Crawford/Craufurd. Rebecca was born in Craigends, Johnstone, Renfrewshire, the daughter of Alexander Cunningham/Cunninghame and Janet Cunningham/Cunyngham; Alexander Cunningham was a grandson of landowner, mathematician, physicist, and astronomer John Napier.

Alexander’s paternal grandmother was Elizabeth Pollock (the daughter of Sir Robert Pollock and Annabel Stewart). Robert was born in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, Scotland, the son of Sir Robert Pollock/Pollok and Jean Crawfurd. Annabel was the daughter of Walter Stewart.

Alexander’s maternal grandfather was named John/Jean Fawcette/Faucette/Fauscett/Faussett IV. John is usually described as a French Huguenot, although it is not clear if his exact biographical data, such as birthplace, has been verified by historians.

Alexander’s maternal grandmother was named Mary Uppinton/Uppington/ham.

Sources: Family history of Alexander Hamilton – https://vitabrevis.americanancestors.org

Genealogies of Alexander Hamilton – https://www.geni.com
https://famouskin.com