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1755 or 1757
Alexander Hamilton is born on the British island of Nevis in the West Indies, the second of two boys. His father James Hamilton is a Scottish trader of noble ancestry. His mother Rachel Faucett, of French descent, is still in an estranged marrage to Johann Michael Lavien
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1766
Alexander begins clerking at a St. Croix counting house and so impresses owner Nicholas Cruger that Cruger will later provide money for Hamilton's education.
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1774
Hamilton goes to New York to begin studies at King's College (which will become Columbia University). Hamilton writes his first political pamphlet, "A Full Vindication of the Measures of Congress," supporting the right of the First Continental Congress to authorize a trade boycott of England. Hamilton signs himself, "A Friend to America."
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1775
The first shots of the American Revolution are fired at the battles of Lexington and Concord. Hamilton soon joins the New York State provincial militia.Despite supporting the revolutionary cause, Hamilton, who detests mob violence, tries to talk a group out of attacking King's College president (and loyalist) Myles Cooper. Hamilton delays the mob long enough for Cooper to escape. King's College closes, and Hamilton is unable to complete his degree. Hamilton publishes "The Farmer Refuted," a patriotic pamphlet.
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1776
Hamilton becomes captain of the 1st Battalion, 5th Field Artillery Unit. (Today, the unit is the oldest still existing in the United States Army and the only one remaining from the Revolution.) Hamilton conducts himself with skill during General George Washington'ssubsequent retreat through New York, and draws the Continental Army commander's attention. Hamilton's artillery unit takes part in Washington's successful capture of Trenton, New Jersey.
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1777
Hamilton participates in the battle of Princeton.
Washington promotes Hamilton to lieutenant colonel and makes him aide-de-camp. The two men become close as Hamilton aids Washington in the complex administrative task of running a war.
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1780
"I love you too much," "You engross my thoughts too entirely to allow me to think of anything else." -AH. Hamilton renews his acquaintance with Elizabeth Schuyler, daughter of wealthy General Philip Schuyler, whom he had met briefly in 1777. They fall deeply in love and become engaged in March then wed in December.
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1781
Hamilton resigns from Washington's staff only to rejoin in time to claim glory at the last major battle of the Revolutionary War, Yorktown. Hamilton leads American and French forces, armed with muskets fitted bayonets but not gunpowder, up and over the British redoubt 10 at night. The British raise the white flag two later.
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1782
Hamilton refuses his military pay and pension and goes to pass the NY bar and become a lawyer.
Hamilton is made receiver of continental taxes for New York then goes on to Philadelphia as one of New York's Representatives to the Continental Congress.
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1784
The Bank of New York, which Hamilton has helped establish, opens its doors.
Hamilton argues his first Trespass Act case, Rutgers v. Waddington, in the Mayor's Court of the City of New York. He urges the judges to strike down the law as a violation of the law of nations and secures a favorable settlement for his Tory client. Although harshly criticized for his actions, Hamilton eventually takes 45 more Trespass Act cases and gains notice for his skilled advocacy.
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1785
At a meeting in New York, Hamilton and 31 others set forth the guiding principles for an anti-slavery group, the New York Society for Promoting the Manumission of Slaves. The society pledges not only to show compassion towards those held in captivity but also to work towards their freedom.
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1787
Hamilton is one of three New York delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
After the Constitution is written, signed, sent to Congress and the States for ratification, Hamilton, James Madison, and John Jay begin writing The Federalist papers. Hamilton writes 51 of these 85 essays supporting ratification of the Constitution and are signed "Publius."
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1789
George Washington becomes the nation's first president and nominates Hamilton to be the first Secretary of the Treasury. September: The House of Representatives directs Hamilton to submit a plan for the support of the public credit when Congress reconvenes in January 1790. Hamilton works to organize chaotic national finances, collecting information, establishing standards and procedures, and devising a plan for restoring the financial health of the near bankrupt American republic.
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1790
Hamilton submits "First Report on the Public Credit," arguing for Federal Assumption of State debt under a single American currency.
In the historic dinner, Jefferson, Madison and Hamilton create a great compromise of agreeing to Hamilton's report in exchange for the Nation's Capitol moving from the North to the South.
Later, Hamilton petitions for the creation of a national bank.
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1791
Hamilton argues that Congress has "implied powers" not stated in the Constitution and petitions Congress to create the US Mint and a National Bank.
Jefferson and Madison, strongly disagreeing with Hamilton's views of a strong Federal Government, create the first oppositional political party; the Democratic Republicans.
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1794
Hamilton assists in the suppression of a "Whiskey Rebellion" in Western Pennsylvania over his imposition of a federal excise tax on the drink. He joins Washington at the head of a large military force organized to crush the supposed "rebellion," but the insurrection collapses.
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1798
As French-American relations disintegrate due to the French rebuff of an American peace mission, President John Adams names Washington head of the U.S. Army, and the former president insists that Hamilton be made inspector general and second in command. Adams' repeated efforts to avoid open war infuriate Hamilton, who is horrified at the excesses of the French Revolution and believes that Great Britain is America's real ally.
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1801
Alexander Hamilton, along with other Federalists, found The New York Evening Post.
Alexander's son Philip dies in a duel at Weehawken defending his father's honor.
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1802
Hamilton and his family move into his newly built home, the Grange. The Grange is located in Northern Manhattan and named after Alexander's father's Ancestral home in Scotland. The Hamilton's eighth and last child, Philip, is born.
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1804
Hamilton is fatally shot after engaging in a duel with Jefferson's Vice President, Arron Burr on the dueling grounds of Weehawken NJ.
Hamilton's enormous funeral procession winds around New York culminating with his burial at Trinity Church.
