Existing comment:
Letter from Elizabeth Hamilton to Nathaniel Pendleton, June 21, 1865
Many families of prominent figures collected hair to distribute to their friends and close associates. This ring contains the hair of Alexander Hamilton. While on his deathbed, Hamilton's wife Elizabeth clipped locks of her husband's hair. The following year, she arranged to have this memorial ring made for Nathaniel Pendleton, Hamilton's second during the famous 1804 duel with Aaron Burr.
In the presentation letter shown here, Elizabeth Hamilton requests that Pendleton wear the ring with its "precious Lock of his hair," "in Remembrance of your beloved friend." |