How Did Alexander Hamilton Die?

After an extensive examination of the clothing worn by Alexander Hamilton on the morning of his fatal duel with Aaron Burr, and the authentication of a letter sent to Burr's second from Hamilton's second, a British forensic science team has determined that the bullet wound that led to the death of America's first Secretary of The Treasury was most likely self-inflicted and accidental.

The investigation, performed over the past four months by Hopwood Company, a forensic science team often employed by London's police, was prompted by the discovery of a letter penned by W. P. Van Ness to Nathaniel Pendleton, by Elvira Pendleton of Hillsborough, New Jersey, a great-great-great-great-granddaughter of Hamilton's close friend.

"We have a family home that dates back to 1812," says Pendleton. "My great-great-great-great-grandfather lived there for twenty years and there was a large crate in the attic filled with old papers, correspondence, contracts. I don't think anyone's taken a good look in there for decades."

As was customary with dueling, the two seconds were the only eyewitnesses to the event, which was held at New Jersey's Heights of Weehawken on the morning of July 11th, 1804. After the shots were fired and a bullet that entered Hamilton's abdomen lodged at his spine, leading to his death the next day, it was the obligation of the two seconds to collaborate on a published description of what took place, in order to differentiate the duel from murder. Their report describes Burr firing his pistol and Hamilton falling instantly. Alexander Hamilton

However, the newly found letter, dated February 17, 1806, indicates that their eyewitness report was, in fact, false.

"As you are well aware," Van Ness writes, "the desired outcome of our description of the events of the 11 of July 1804, has far from occurred. While General Hamilton's reputation and honor has steadfastly grown, Colonel Burr is now looked upon as a scoundrel and a villain, despite his attempt to be merciful by shooting his pistol's bullet into the sky, far above the general."

"It was not the intention of Colonel Burr," Van Ness continues, "that his bullet would strike a tree-branch which would fall upon the general, causing himself to collapse to the ground and unintentionally dislodge his bullet into his own person."

"Though we did agree to preserve the reputation of General Hamilton by allowing the account of his death to be a noble one, it is of great importance to the career of my beloved Burr that you will join with me in revealing the true account."

After paper analysis and handwriting comparisons confirmed the authenticity of the letter, Hopwood was able to secure the availability of the shirt, vest and coat Alexander Hamilton wore to the duel from the New-York Historical Society.

"A clothing hole from a bullet directly shot at a person, as it would be in a duel, would show even, circular distress on the fabric," says forensic scientist Evan Hopwood. "Hamilton's vest and shirt show oblong, angular entries, indicating that the pistol would have been pointing upward when fired, most likely from an extremely close distance."

The investigation was financed in whole by the great theatre composer, Andrew Lloyd Webber, who's most recent Broadway hit is the musical SCHOOL OF ROCK.

The British Lord, whose classic works include JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, EVITA and CATS, said his inspiration for finding out more about the Hamilton/Burr duel came from attending Lin-Manuel Miranda's hit musical HAMILTON.

"It's an extraordinary work," says Webber. "Just extraordinary, I think. And it made me wonder exactly how much of the story would be indisputably true. It became a hobby, I suppose, hiring investigators to look up the relatives of the people involved and seeing what further information might be uncovered."

Webber says there's the possibility of turning the story of his fact-finding mission into a new musical, but first, he says, he's having a summary of the investigation published into a small pamphlet.

"Just something we can quickly assemble and send to the Tony Award voters," he says.

BroadwayWorld wishes its readers a Happy April Fools Day.

Related Articles