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Locks of hair of Alexander Hamilton and George Washington
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[ This description is from the project: Revolutionary-era Art and Artifacts ]
Locks of hair of Alexander Hamilton (1757-1804) and George Washington (1732-1799), given by Hamilton's son James, to Eliza Jane Hersey, wife of John A. Andrew (1818-1867), the 25th Governor of Massachusetts. James Hamilton lived on an estate in Irvington, New York, which he named "Nevis" in honor of his father's birthplace in the British West Indies. Gov. Andrew's children donated the items to the MHS in 1920.
The top strands of hair are affixed to unlined writing paper by shellac seal, with text: "The above is the hair of my Father Alexander Hamilton, presented by me to Mrs. Andrew Octo. 27 1865 James A. Hamilton [signed]."
Alexander Hamilton served as a captain in the Revolutionary War under George Washington, was a main contributor to The Federalist Papers promoting the ratification of the United States Constitution and was the country's first Secretary of the Treasury. A lawyer and businessman later in life, Hamilton was fatally wounded in a duel with Vice President Aaron Burr in 1804.
The bottom strands of hair are affixed to lined writing paper by shellac seal, with text: "The above is the Hair of 'The Father of his Country' Geo. Washington present [sic] to his friend Mrs Andrew by James A. Hamilton [signed], Nevis, Oct 27 1865."
George Washington served as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War, and later presided over the 1787 convention that drafted the United States Constitution. He was elected the first president of the United States and served from 1789 to 1797.