Rachel Hamilton - Tumblr Posts
Alexander Hamilton, his name is Alexander Hamilton There's not a thing I wouldn't have done to keep him safe, keep him safe
Some photos from my incredible trip to St. Croix, where Alexander Hamilton grew up!
The first four photos are of the Fort where Rachel Hamilton was held during her incarceration for refusing to live with her first husband, Johan Lavien. The barred window is in what is believed to be the cell where she was held.
The photo with the steps is the front of the house where Edward Stevens lived - he was one of Hamilton's closest, life-long friends.
Rachel's storefront and house on Company Street no longer stand, but the gated property is where the house would have been.
Most interestingly, from getting to talk with locals in St. Croix, I learned Rachel's store and home where Hamilton lived were on the edge of an area of Christiansted known as the "free gut." This area is where the free Black population of St. Croix lived. Also of interest, nearly directly across the street was where the enslaved and plantation laborers held their Sunday Market (a plaque commemorating the space is on the central well pictured above).
There's an interesting article about freed Black population on St. Croix in the 1700s and 1800s, if anyone is interested:
The last two photos are of the plaque on the building where Hamilton clerked (it's now a government office) and then just a shot to show how absolutely gorgeous the island is.
Hope everyone celebrating has a safe and happy Independence Day! 🎆