........
“A. H.”
Hamilton was buried on the following Saturday with every possible evidence of respect and sorrow; in the funeral procession his gray horse dressed in mourning was led by two black servants dressed in white; the streets of New York were lined with people, and doors and windows were filled, and housetops occupied, and every civic and military organization was represented. Gouverneur Morris delivered the funeral oration from a stage erected in the portico of Trinity Church to an immense concourse. When Hamilton’s distracted wife and children, seven in number, were brought to his bedside, shortly before his death, he said to her, “Remember, my Eliza, you are a Christian.”
General Hamilton married Elizabeth Schuyler, a daughter of General Philip Schuyler, thus allying himself with one of the most distinguished founders of New York.
Aaron Burr lived to be eighty years old. The loss of his only daughter, Theodosia Alston, at sea, left him without family ties. There is a tradition that Burr, a broken and sorrowing man, watched the sea ever afterward, hoping that the lost Theodosia might be returned to him. At the age of seventy-eight he married the second time; he and this wife separated, but were never divorced.
Will of Edward H. Harriman
This will is unique in its brevity, containing only ninety-nine words, and has been criticised for its omissions: it will be seen that there is no mention of the testator’s children, and that the will has but two witnesses, which is unusual where so vast an estate is disposed of and the property located in many states. It will also be noted that the testator’s wife, who is made executrix, is not exempted from giving bond as such. Mr. Harriman, at the time of his death, controlled perhaps the largest corporate interests of any person in the United States, particularly those of railways. He died in September, 1909. His will is as follows:
“I, Edward H. Harriman of Arden in the State of New York, do make, publish and declare this as and for my last will and testament that is to say:
“I give, devise and bequeath all of my property real and personal of every kind and nature to my wife, Mary W. Harriman to be hers absolutely and forever and I do hereby nominate and appoint the said Mary W. Harriman to be executrix in this my will.
“In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 8th day of June in the year 1903.