Saturday, August 9, 2008
Well, well. Usually when you do "todays in history," only one famous event occurs on the same day and the same year. But August 9, 1757, is different. In fact, not only did two notable events take place on that day, but both occurred in the eastern portion of Upstate New York, and had some pretty bearing effects on New York State history!
Most of those familiar with The Last of the Mohicans (ah, that would be the book, a history-based novel by James Fenimore Cooper) know that today was the day that the British outpost on Lake George, Fort William Henry (commanded by Colonel William Munro), was finally turned over to their French enemies (led by Marquis de Montcalm), during the French and Indian War. Montcalm promised Col. Munro that he, his soldiers, and all the inhabitants of the fort, would be granted safe passage along the road, as they left the fort. However, Montcalm's large force of fierce Indian warriors didn't feel bound by that agreement. As the people made their way down the forest roads, they were surprised by a large band of Indians, who killed everyone they could get their hands on, and swiping the goods they thought valuable.
This was a terrible tragedy. And yet how true it is that even sad days are not all clouds and
storm. A happy event also took place that day, in Albany, New York. Philip Schuyler's second daughter, Elizabeth Schuyler, was born. She was to become Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton, Alexander Hamilton's wife. As was the custom in those days, she was baptized as an infant -- the very day she was born. Her father wrote:In the year 1757 August the 9th at 5 o'clock in the afternoon was born our second child a daughter named Elizabeth, baptised [sic] by Domine Thedorus Frelinghuysen, Witness Cortland Schuyler my brother and mother Cornelia Schuyler. (source)
In the Schuyler family Bible (which is still being preserved at Schuyler Mansion in Albany), Philip Schuyler recorded the births of each of his children, and recorded a prayer after each entry. For Elizabeth, he wrote:"Elizabeth, born August 9, 1757. Lord, do according to thy will with her." (source)
