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| Add Photo — Add Link — Add Commentary — Correct this page — Print | | Weehawken in Hudson County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic) |
The Hamilton-Burr Duel
July 11, 1804
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By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008 | |
| | | 1. The Hamilton-Burr Duel Marker | | The duel has held in Weehawken, NJ because dueling was illegal in New York. | | |
Inscription. The most famous duel in American History took place on this date at the dueling grounds in Weehakken, between political rivals, General Alexander Hamilton and sitting Vice President of the United States, Colonel Aaron Burr. Hamilton fell mortally wounded, and died the next day in New York City.
Tragically, Hamilton’s son Philip had also met his death here in a duel in 1801.
Dedicated on July 11, 2004, the 200th Anniversary of the Duel.
Erected 2004.
Location. 40° 46.199′ N, 74° 1.032′ W. Marker is in Weehawken, New Jersey, in Hudson County. Marker is on Hamilton Avenue, on the left when traveling south. Click for map. Marker is in this post office area: Weehawken NJ 07086, United States of America.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, as the crow flies. Death Rock of Alexander Hamilton (here, next to this marker); Weehawken Dueling Grounds (here, next to this marker); Walton Hauling & Warehouse Corporation (approx. 1.1 miles away in New York); Joe Horvath (approx. 1.3 miles away in New York); Charles Mary Kubricht (b. 1946) (approx. 1.5 miles away in New York); Maxwell House Coffee Plant (approx. 1.5 miles away); Baseball (approx. 1.5 miles away); Elysian Fields (approx. 1.5 miles away). Click for a list of all markers in Weehawken.| | | | 
By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008 | |
| | | 2. Marker in Weehawken, NJ | | Marker is located across the river from New York City, where Hamilton died on July 11, 1804, the day after the duel. | | |
More about this marker. The text is flanked by portraits of Hamilton and Burr.
Also see . . .
1. Duel At Dawn, 1804. “The relationship between Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr was charged with political rivalry and personal animosity. Alexander Hamilton, the nation's first Secretary of the Treasury, was the chief author of The Federalist papers advocating a strong central government. Burr represented the old Republican Party. His greatest accomplishment was achieved in 1800 when he was elected Vice President to Thomas Jefferson. Hamilton considered Burr an unprincipled rogue. The antagonism between the two came to a head in 1804 when Hamilton thwarted Burr's attempt to gain re-nomination for Vice President as well as his bid to win the governorship of New York. Burr responded by challenging his antagonist to a duel, an invitation Hamilton felt compelled to accept.” (Submitted on April 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
2. Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr's Duel. “Hoping that a victory on the dueling ground could revive his flagging political career, Burr challenged Hamilton to a duel. Hamilton wanted to avoid the duel, but politics left him no choice. If he admitted to Burr's charge, which was substantially true, he would lose his honor. If he refused to duel, the result would be the same. Either way, his political career would be over.” (Submitted on April 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey.)
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By Bill Coughlin, April 25, 2008 | |
| | | 3. Alexander Hamilton | | This bust of Alexander Hamilton stands next to the marker on Hamilton Avenue. | | |
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Wikimedia Commons Collection | |
| | | 4. Alexander Hamilton dueling with Aaron Burr | | The depiction is inaccurate. Only the two “seconds” and a Doctor witnessed the duel. And they appear closer than 20 paces from each other. | | |
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E. Prud'homme (engraver) from miniature by Arch. Robertson | |
| | | 5. Alexander Hamilton (1755?–1804) | | Wikipedia Commons Collection | | |
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Wikipedia Commons Collection | |
| | | 6. Aaron Burr (1756–1836) | | |
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Credits. This page originally submitted on April 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 2,114 times since then. This page was the Marker of the Week July 10, 2011. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on April 25, 2008, by Bill Coughlin of North Arlington, New Jersey. 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 9, 2011. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
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