The Ghosts of Alexander Hamilton & Aaron Burr

You could say that Alexander Hamilton is not only popular in the theatre right now.

I wrote an article for the Association of Paranormal Study about the ghosts of Hamilton as well as Aaron Burr. We all know Lin-Manuel Miranda’s hit musical, Hamilton, took off. I often wonder if Lin got the divine inspiration to write the show. If not from God, maybe the ghost of Alexander Hamilton himself?

What if the widespread popularity that is Hamilton has reawakened the restless spirits of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr? I’m no stranger to ghosts from the Revolutionary War. For example, the ghost of George Washington led the 20th Maine regiment during the Battle of Gettysburg. It should be no surprise that Hamilton and Burr might still be hanging around our modern times.

Turn on your Hamilton original cast recording, and let’s go on a Hamilton-themed supernatural journey.

The Hauntings of Alexander Hamilton

Alexander Hamilton has been seen around his impressive tomb at Trinity Church right near Wall Street. Given that Hamilton’s death was premature, it’s no surprise that he may be feeling a bit cheated out of a long life. He wasn’t even 50 when he died.

Hamilton didn’t die in New Jersey where the duel took place. Instead, he died the next day at the home of his friend, William Bayard. The address of this location is 80-82 Jane Street. There is a plaque on the building that marks where Hamilton passed. Before his death, Hamilton had been treated for his gunshot wound by John Francis, who lived at 27 Jane Street.

An artist by the name of Jean Karsavina has lived at 27 Jane Street since 1939 reported seeing paranormal activity like footsteps, blurs, shadows, things moving, the works. Hans Holzer even investigated these claims.

Why Here, Alexander?

Around the time that Hamilton rose to popularity, activity at 71 Jane Street started to escalate. 71 Jane Street is located across the stress and a few houses east of the infamous plaque. That house is owned by Joe Hamilton, who bought the property in 1994. Even after the home was purchased, Hamilton and her family heard crashes and other weird noises that were so bad that the family had to wear earplugs to sleep at night. Joe bought the house from Irene Connors, who believes that 71 Jane Street is indeed haunted by Alexander Hamilton. Why? She saw him with her own eyes. She described him as slim, wearing knee-length trousers, and wearing a white-powdered wig.

A medium was brought to 71 Jane Street. She didn’t pick up the spirit of Hamilton, but she saw a little boy. The medium and the crew used a Ouija board. When the medium asked the child what his mother’s name is, it answered, “Eliza.” Some have speculated that maybe this was the Hamiltons’ son, Philip, who died from a duel in 1801.

But why 71 Jane Street? Well, what’s interesting is that 71 Jane Street sits right in the middle between 27 Jane Street and 82 Jane Street.

The Hauntings of Aaron Burr

Aaron Burr’s legacy is forever known as the man who shot Hamilton. If you want to meet the ghost of Aaron Burr for yourself, visit the New York City restaurant, “One If By Land, Two If By Sea.” Legend says he’s responsible for crashing dishes and moving chairs. The staff at the restaurant rarely want to be there alone after dark.

Like Hamilton, Burr’s ghost has been found in more than one place. After the duel with Hamilton, Burr fled to New Hope, Pennsylvania and stayed with an old friend for a week. While the house was known as The Painted Lady, today, it is known as the Aaron Burr House. Burr’s ghost has been seen roaming around the house and peering around the corners. He has also been seeing going up and down the staircase and tugging on the clothes of guests. Burr has also been sighted around the town of New Hope and has been seen looking over his shoulder, as if someone was following him.

A Marriage of Convenience

Towards the end of his life, Burr married Eliza Jumel at the age of 77. Eliza was one of the wealthiest women in the country. Burr quickly drained her assets, and then he passed away. The marriage barely lasted a year. In fact, their divorced finalized on the day of his death. Ouch.

Today, a desk that belonged to Aaron Burr still sits in the mansion. He has also been seen around the house along with Eliza, who died years later at the age of 90. Today, the mansion is known as the Morris-Jumel House and is available for paranormal investigations.

Waiting for Nothing

Finally, one of the sadder parts of Aaron Burr’s life was losing his young daughter at sea when she was just 29. She was heading to New York City by ship from South Carolina and never arrived to her destination. Burr’s ghost has often been seen at Battery Park at the American Merchant Marine Memorial. It’s believed that Burr is still waiting for his daughter to return.

Do you think the ghosts of Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr still lingering on this earth?

Sources

http://www.wnycstudios.org/story/alexander-hamilton-haunting-jane-street/

3 Years Ago I Thought My Life was Ruined

“I’m gonna take a deep breath.
Gonna hold my head up.
Gonna put my shoulders back,
And look you straight in the eye.
I’m gonna flirt with somebody
When they walk by.
I’m gonna sing out . . .
Sing out.”
On this day, three years ago, someone who I thought was a friend did something awful. About a month after I moved to Raleigh, before July 23rd I found myself newly single because my ex couldn’t take the drama anymore associated with my job. Then on the evening of July 23rd, 2013, I found out on Facebook fan page that I was now unemployed after a month long of silence and dealing with a gag order placed on me, taking the brunt of some God awful online bullying, and thousands of miles away from any support system I had. I thought my life was completely ruined. I was sitting alone in an apartment full of boxes and I couldn’t stop crying. After taking phone calls from people checking on me, I had to pick myself off the floor. Music had always been a form of therapy, and the first song I found myself listened to was “I’m Here” from The Color Purple. In the midst of my tears, I told myself that I would get through this and be a stronger person from the experience. I was at my lowest point. My mother came into town within a day to help me through it. I cried every day over the whole ordeal for a good 6 months. I gained weight. I nearly gave up on myself.
Well, it’s taken about three years, but I’m finally okay. After losing that job, getting publicly mocked and slandered on Twitter by grown adults, becoming nearly homeless, and having people who SWORE to be my friend turn their backs on me, it ended up being the best damn thing that ever happened to me. It was in that moment that I made the decision to continue to work on my book, and take it one day at a time. Things were so bad that I considered suicide. But for my mother’s sake, I made a promise to just take it one day at a time and find an outlet to work through the feelings of pain, betrayal, confusion, and self-loathing. Had I not worked on that book, The Haunted Actor, I wouldn’t have become a published author with The Haunting of the Tenth Avenue Theater. I wouldn’t have met the incredible people from the con scene, and I wouldn’t have met the incredible women who make up my team in NC. I lost a lot on July 23, 2013, but I have gained so much since then. I never thought I could live off of full-time writing, but it has happened. I never thought I could find love again, but it has happened. I never thought I would be living off of my passion for theatre, but it has happened.
“I believe I have inside of me
Everything that i need to live a bountiful life.
With all the love alive in me
I’ll stand as tall as the tallest tree.
And I’m thankful for everyday that I’m given,
Both the easy and hard ones I’m livin'”
Was the journey easy? No. I lost my mother about a year and a half ago. My mother was my biggest cheerleader, and I still feel the void every day. It’s not getting any easier, I’ve become more accustomed to the loss and getting used to it.
On Saturday night, July 23rd, 2016, I got to see The Color Purple on Broadway. It feels like this chapter of my life has come full circle, and now I’m celebrating. As I watched Danielle Brooks rock it as Sofia, Cynthia Ervio sing her heart out and receive standing ovations, and Heather Headley (a Broadway legend) sing within a few feet from me, I thought about a lyric from the show, “Look what God has done…” and savored every minute of it. Then, tonight, I’ll be seeing Hamilton, which has become a show that has meant so much to me. Hamilton has really hit it home for me that we have a limited time here, and I need to do something big to positively impact the world around me. Whether it’s telling the stories of people around me through writing and acting, or helping those less fortunate through volunteer work and donating to charity, the story I want to leave behind holds love, truth, friendship, and family.
For the first time in three years, I can afford to go on not just one, but several vacations. I’m back on track with my student loans, if not better than before. My income is better than it ever has been before. My team is doing great, and overall, things are so wonderful. Had I not had that devastating moment three years ago, I wouldn’t have the incredible blessings that I have today. I’ve learned a lot, cried a lot, bled a lot…well, I’ve been through a lot. I’ve made so many new friends and have a family here in NC. From my team members; Beth, Amy, Maeve, Amanda, to the theatre community, they have all blessed my life so much.
If you’re going through an awful time right now, while it may not seem like it, there is light at the end of the tunnel. I’ve also learned that the people who try to work against you finally get their comeuppance. You may not like the timing, but it eventually happens. The universe has a way of evening things out to restore balance.
“But most of all
I’m thankful for
Loving who i really am.
I’m beautiful.
Yes, I’m beautiful,
And I’m here”