I, Eliza Hamilton Quotes

“She didn't answer, and in that moment I realized that she felt the same as I. The men we loved would determine our destinies along with their own, no matter how we might wish otherwise.
We walked the rest of the way arm in arm, our heads bowed, in sisterly agreement. We said nothing more, nor did we need to.

I, Eliza Hamilton”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“Her long life spanned American history from the colonial era to the eve of the Civil War, and she died as the last remaining widow of a Founding Father.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“know you believe that the politics in London are especially uncivil, but you’ll soon see that the style here in America is every bit as ferocious, and marked with backbiting, lies, deceit, and ill will.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“But remember, dear sister, that the easiest men for us to love are often the same ones who hurt us the most.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“This was a far different conversation than the one I'd had earlier with Papa. He clearly believed that colonel Hamilton would in fact be mine for the taking, like an apple that dropped from the tree into my hand of its own accord. Aunt Gertrude, however, expected me to climb to the highest branches of the apple tree, reach for the fruit, and tug it free if I wanted it.
And yet I found that I preferred Aunt Gertrude's perspective. Fed only by memory and an impression, I had come this far through snow and ice. I needed to learn if colonel was not only special for for this country, but special for me. If he proved he was, if love grew between us, then I would do whatever I must for the sake of that love. In a land full of soldiers, this would be my battle.
And I would win.

I. Eliza Hamilton.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“...I greeted him as warmly as if we'd been separated for months, not days. I'd never claimed to possess a sentimental nature, but it did seem that our fondness for each other ha strengthened with that first kiss, as if the very moon her self had blessed our love.

I, Eliza Hamilton”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“I have had a double share of blessings and I must now look forward to Grief. . . . for such a husband, his spirit is in heaven and his form is in the Earth, and I am nowhere any part of him.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“There could, quite simply, never be any other man after her Hamilton.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“Yet although Eliza was married to Alexander for only twenty-four of her ninety-seven years, he remained the shining centerpiece of her life.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“If she was proud of everything that Alexander had done in his life, then he would have been equally proud of what she achieved on behalf of her orphans.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“Mr. Monroe, if you have come to tell me that you repent, that you are sorry, very sorry, for the misrepresentations and the slanders, and the stories you circulated against my dear husband, if you have come to say this, I understand it. But, otherwise, no lapse of time, no nearness to the grave, makes any difference.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“The marble portrait bust carved by Giuseppe Ceracchi stood near to her chair, and she’d often address it directly, as if it truly were her husband.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“For the rest of her life, she worked relentlessly to create a truthful portrait of the man she had loved so well. She enlisted her sons in her efforts, and it was John Church Hamilton who finally completed the monumental biography she’d envisioned—seven years after her death.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“What would perhaps have been most galling to Burr is that he is remembered today primarily as the man who killed Hamilton. The majority of his personal papers were lost at sea with Theodosia, and with them vanished much of his legacy. There are many modern, scholarly volumes devoted to the collected writings of other men of his generation. Jefferson’s work requires thirty-three volumes, while Hamilton’s papers fill twenty-seven. The entirety of Burr’s surviving writings are contained in just two. The man who believed in keeping his thoughts to himself has ironically done exactly that.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“From the instant he fired the shot that killed Alexander Hamilton, Aaron Burr showed no remorse, let alone guilt, for the duel or its aftermath.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“With his death, he had become their martyred hero.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“The shock of his sudden death at a relatively young age made New Yorkers remember only his best qualities, and remember, too, all the good he had done for the city, from his commitment to the merchant and banking communities, to his involvement in promoting education and civic matters, and to the countless small charities and good works that benefited from his care and attention.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“Through the years, Eliza persevered. Two things drove her: her children, and her husband’s memory.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“And now I’ve come back to where I began. As much as I longed to die as well to join Alexander, I didn’t. As broken as I was with grief and loss, I survived. For the sake of our children and my husband’s memory, I continue.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“Angelica died in New York City in 1814, and is buried in Trinity Church cemetery, not far from Eliza and Alexander.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“Alexander had believed that Eliza’s father, Philip Schuyler, would look after her. But the old general’s long history of ill health, coupled with the deaths of his wife and his favorite son-in-law, soon claimed him as well. He died in November 1804, only four months after Alexander.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“I, Eliza Hamilton, will do that: for the best of husbands, the best of fathers, and the best of men: my Alexander.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“But though God will test us sorely, He never gives us more than we can bear.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“I held his hand to the end, and told him again and again how much I loved him, and always would. But love was not enough to hold him back, and at last, in the afternoon, he slipped away. He was gone, and I was lost.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“With great effort he opened his eyes again. He did not speak, but I knew from his expression—oh, most excellent of fathers!—that this was the most painful reminder of all he was leaving behind.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“My love,” he said without opening his eyes. “When we first met, you said you’d pray for me.” “I did,” I said, my voice breaking. “I still do. Oh, my dearest!”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“Alexander was dying.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“Tell me, Judge,” I said, my voice trembling. “Has my husband been injured in a duel?” He took a deep breath. “Yes, madam,” he said. “He has.” “Who was the other party?” Another deep breath. “Colonel Burr, madam.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“I will be staying in town tomorrow night,” he said. “I have an appointment early the next morning in New Jersey.” “Then come back when you are done,” I said. “We’ll expect you for supper.” “I will,” he said with unexpected tenderness. “I will.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton

“My own dear Betsey,” he said softly, turning toward me in the moonlight. I could scarcely make out his features, but I knew from his voice that he smiled, and I smiled in return. “My own dear Alexander,” I said. “How fortunate I am to have you as my husband, and my love.” He raised my fingers to his lips, kissing them fondly. “My love,” he said. “The best of wives, the best of women.” He sighed, and turned back toward the river.”
― Susan Holloway Scott, I, Eliza Hamilton