The Stars.

hey, just wondering what actually happened with angelica hamilton?

The thing is, we don't really know. Stories and sources vary as to what exactly happened, but the commonly repeated line of events go as; Angelica became depressed after the shock of Philip's death - who she had a close relationship with - and then Hamilton's death so shortly after left her in a terrible state of mental well-being.

Angelica's condition was not talked about much outside of barely surviving family letters, which is typical for 18th century medical handling, as mental health was treated as a hushed topic. It appears the only primary sources we have in regards to pinpointing the cause of Angelica's distorting health is Eliza Hamilton Holly, the youngest daughter of the Hamiltons', and Allan McLane Hamilton, Philip Hamilton's youngest son.

(source — As I Remember: Recollections of American Society during the Nineteenth Century, by Marian Gouverneur)

(source — The intimate life of Alexander Hamilton, by Allan McLane Hamilton)

The issue that lies here with reliability though is that all of these are coming from the younger generation of the family. Holly was only about two, and Allan didn't even exist when Philip died, they are hardly describing these events from firsthand experience, but they are the only sources we have to even come close to understanding the situation. What is likely, is that they are just repeating what they have heard from their older family members, like the brothers or Elizabeth. In Allan's defense here, notably Phil II was seemingly close with Angelica and was likely was looking after her when Holly and Elizabeth couldn't during their excursion to the West to see William and even a few years after that. So, if Allan was getting his feedback from his relatives, like his father, his word can be trusted as a source. And the same applies to Holly, as she was the one usually caring for her alongside her mother.

There are no clear descriptions of Angelica's symptoms, or what the shock had actually done to her. Allan claims his aunt was “insane”. James Kent writing about his visit to the Grange in 1804 before Hamilton's death describes Angelica as “uncommonly simple”;

(source — Memoirs and Letters of James Kent, by William Kent, James Kent)

Another guest at the Grange, who was recorded only as ‘Mrs. Q’, referred to who is likely Angelica, merely as “a deranged daughter”.

Despite this, Angelica proved to be at least decently lucid, or just on some occasions. Her father purchased her three or four parakeets 1802, writing that she was “very fond of birds”. Even going on trips with her family, and was hosting balls at the Grange.

Holly claims that Hamilton's death worsened Angelica's case, though there doesn't seem to be much to prove such. Unfortunately, Philip Schuyler died just a few months after Hamilton's death which also could have played a part in Angelica's health. But that is merely speculation.

While Angelica's mental well-being didn't seem to worsen, it certainly didn't get any better. She never married or lived on her own, but instead was nearly entirely dependent on her mother, who she remained in the care of, with her younger sister's assistance. However, a letter written by Mason seems to indicate Angelica was visiting the Masons in Boston. He writes that her comportment was amiable and poised, but with implications of a sort of depression like “these sorrows which probably never can be removed” about her;

(source — Jonathan Mason to Elizabeth Hamilton, [1805])

With again, polarizing descriptions like Mary Ann Schuyler - wife of Philip Jeremiah Schuyler - writing to Catharine Malcolm;

(source — Mary Ann Schuyler to Catharine Malcolm, [May 5, 1819])

It is evident her family loved her though, and did what they could to help her, even if they didn't quite understand the cause or solution. Plenty of her siblings tried to pitch in and help their mother care for her as well.

Overall, it is undeniable Angelica suffered from some sort of mental illness, with the exception of some lucid comprehension that she still somewhat possessed that allowed her to live a semi normal life. I'm not a mental health professionalist, nor even knowledgeable in that field at all; so I hardly find myself suitable to be tossing around suggestions or any diagnosis. There is a master post about the theory Angelica may have suffered from schizophrenia that you can read if you'd like. But evidently, there aren't any implications that Angelica ever showed signs of mental illness as a child, and by all descriptions she is said to have been a talented, beautiful, and happy girl. Perhaps this is also just at the fault of scarce information, and we just don't have enough to actually deduct Angelica's mental health only spurred out of control after the continuous family deaths.

Eventually, Angelica's aging mother could no longer care for her, and with her siblings having moved on with their own lives or having passed; Angelica was soon placed in the care of a Dr. MacDonald of Flushing, Queens, where she remained for the rest of her life. As seen above, Allan claims his aunt would; “constantly referred to the dear brother so nearly her own age as if alive. Her music, that her father used to oversee and encourage, stayed by her all these years. To the end she played the same old-fashioned songs and minuets upon the venerable piano that had been bought for her, many years before, in London, by Angelica Church, during her girlhood, and was sent to New York through a friend of her father.”

Which seems to hold some truth as Angelica reportedly had her piano with her in the asylum;

(source — Hamilton-associated furnishings at Hamilton Grange with provenance)

The former Sanford Hall mental institution in Flushing

In 1848, Holly moved their 91 year old mother from New York to Washington, D.C., where she died in 1854 at the age of 97. Elizabeth requested in her will that her other children be; “kind, affectionate, and attentive to my unfortunate daughter Angelica.”

Only three years after her mother's death, in February of 1857, Angelica died at the asylum, marriage-less and without any children, in New York at the age of 72. She was buried alongside her sister, Eliza Hamilton Holly, in Westchester County, New York at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery. It appears Angelica may have already been showing signs of her coming death, as a year pior in 1856, Holly lamented Angelica's expected death and wrote; “Poor sister, what a happy release will be hers. Lost to herself a half century!”

did philip hamilton actually like poetry?

Probably not to the extent that was protrayed in the musical, but Hamilton does briefly write to Philip in a letter; “Your Mama has got an Ovid for you and is looking up your Mairs introduction.” Ovid referring to the Roman poet, Publius Ovidius Naso, who is often ranked as one of the three canonical poets of Latin literature. Especially because Hamilton then mentions An Introduction to Latin Syntax; or, an exemplification of the rules of construction, by John Mair. Wether this was for his schooling or general entertainment isn't specified. But considering Philip was part of a Literature Society when he was older, it isn't doubtful that he may have just enjoyed stuff like that.