Philip Hamilton (the second) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Philip Hamilton
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Hamilton in 1880
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| Born | June 1 or June 2, 1802 New York City, New York, U.S.
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| Died | July 9, 1884 (aged 82) Poughkeepsie, New York, U.S.
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| Burial place | Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Lawyer |
| Spouse(s) | Rebecca McLane |
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| Parent(s) | Alexander Hamilton (father) Elizabeth Schuyler (mother) |
| Relatives | See Hamilton family |
Philip Hamilton (born June 1 or 2, 1802 – died July 9, 1884) was the youngest son of Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton and Alexander Hamilton. His father, Alexander Hamilton, was a very important person in early American history. He was the first Secretary of the Treasury and one of the Founding Fathers of the United States, who helped create the country. Philip was named after his older brother, who had passed away.
Early Life of Philip Hamilton
Philip Hamilton was born in New York City in 1802. People sometimes called him "Little Phil" or Philip Hamilton (the Second). He was the youngest child of Alexander Hamilton and Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton. His exact birth date is either June 1 or June 2.
He was born the year after his oldest brother, also named Philip, died. His older brother was named after their grandfather, Philip Schuyler. Sadly, the older Philip died in a duel in 1801.
According to his son, Allan McLane Hamilton, the younger Philip was a kind and happy person. He always thought about other people's feelings and was very careful to do what he promised. After his father, Alexander Hamilton, died in 1804, Philip's mother didn't have much money. Because of this, Philip didn't have the same advantages as his older brothers. He had to work hard to make his own way in life.
Philip Hamilton grew to be almost six feet tall. He didn't go to college, but he became a lawyer. He learned law by studying with one of his brothers in New York.
Philip Hamilton's Career
Philip Hamilton worked as a lawyer in New York. In the 1830s, he also served as an assistant United States Attorney. This meant he helped his older brother, James Alexander Hamilton, with legal cases for the government.
As a prosecutor, he had a big success when he helped convict a pirate named Charles Gibbs. Gibbs was found guilty of murder and was executed in 1831.
In 1851, during the California Gold Rush, Philip moved to San Francisco. He worked there as a lawyer with his wife's brother, Robert Milligan McLane. After about a year or two, Philip returned to New York.
He mostly worked on cases related to ships and the sea, which is called admiralty law. One of his clients was a naval officer named Silas H. Stringham. After the American Civil War ended in 1865, Philip Hamilton worked for the Navy at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. He then lived a quiet life.
His son described Philip's career as difficult, but he helped many poor people, especially sailors. He spent a lot of his time helping others without expecting anything in return.
Philip Hamilton's Family Life
Philip Hamilton was an abolitionist, meaning he was against slavery. He helped the Underground Railroad, a secret network that helped enslaved people escape to freedom. He even hid one person in his cellar until they could safely travel to Canada.
On December 29, 1842, Philip married Rebecca McLane. Rebecca passed away on April 1, 1893, when she was 80 years old. Her father, Louis McLane, was a very important person in government. He served in the U.S. House and the U.S. Senate. He was also the 10th Secretary of the Treasury and the 12th Secretary of State. He even served as the U.S. Minister to the United Kingdom twice. Rebecca's younger brother, Robert Milligan McLane, was a Governor of Maryland and a U.S. Ambassador to several countries.
Philip and Rebecca had two sons:
- Louis McLane Hamilton (1844–1868): He served in the United States Army during the American Civil War. Later, he served under General George Armstrong Custer. Louis was killed at age 24 while leading a charge in a battle.
- Allan McLane Hamilton (1848–1919): He became a psychiatrist, a doctor who helps people with their minds. He wrote books, including a biography about his grandfather, Alexander Hamilton, called The Intimate Life of Alexander Hamilton (1910).
Philip Hamilton passed away on July 9, 1884, in Poughkeepsie, New York. He didn't have a lot of money when he died.
