In addition to the well-known cast of principle characters featured in Hamilton there are dozens of references to other historical figures. Here is a closer look at these individuals in order of reference:

Sam Adams
Referenced in: “Aaron Burr, Sir”
Line: “I’m John Laurens in the place to be! Two pints o’ Sam Adams, but I’m workin’ on three, uh!”

“Founding Father” and political philosopher who was the second cousin of President John Adams. Samuel Adams founded the “Sons of Liberty” in 1765 to fight taxation from the British government. Thomas Jefferson credited Adams with being a leading figure in steering the colonies towards independence. However, you may know him as the face of the Boston Beer Company.

Admiral Richard Howe, 1st Earl Howe
Referenced in: “Right Hand Man”
Line: “British Admiral Howe’s got troops on the water. Thirty-two thousand troops in New York harbor.”

British naval officer who commanded troops in The Seven Years’ War, The American Revolution and The French Revolution. This line refers to Britain’s strategy of capturing major cities by blockading the coastline. They did so successfully, seizing Long Island in August 1776 and New York City the following month.

Nathanael Greene & Henry Knox
Referenced in: “Right Hand Man”
Line: “Nathanael Greene and Henry Knox wanted to hire you…”

Both were Continental Army military officers that served under George Washington during the American Revolution. Nathanael Greene declined an appointment by Washington to serve in the first presidential cabinet and it was Henry Knox who ended up accepting, becoming the first Secretary of War, a position which he held from 1789-1794.

Thomas Conway
Referenced in: “Meet Me Inside”
Line: “Charles Lee, Thomas Conway. These men take your name and they rake it through the mud.”

Major General in the Continental Army who organized the Conway Cabal; a group of senior officers who tried to have George Washington removed as commander-in-chief during the American Revolution.

Levi Weeks
Referenced in: “Non-Stop”
Line: “Our client Levi Weeks is innocent, call your first witness.”

The defendant in the first recorded murder trial in U.S. history. Weeks was accused of killing “Elma” Sands, a young woman he had been courting at the time. With the aid of family connections and wealth he was able to hire some of the most prominent attorneys in New York for his defense team: Henry Brockholst Livingston, Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton. Much to public disapproval, Weeks was acquitted after less than five minutes of jury deliberation. Although the show depicts the trial taking place prior to the Constitutional Convention of 1787, it actually took place in 1800.

John Barker Church
Referenced in: “Non-Stop”
Line: “I am sailing off to London. I’m accompanied by someone who always pays. I have found a wealthy husband who will keep me in comfort for all of my days.”

English businessman who eloped to Europe with Angelica Schuyler in 1777 knowing that Philip Schuyler would not give their union his blessing. Church had his own duel with Aaron Burr in 1799 in which neither party was injured. An experienced dueler himself, it was his set of pistols that were used in the duels that killed both Philip and Alexander Hamilton.

John Jay
Referenced in: “Non-Stop”
Line: “In the end, they wrote 85 essays, in the span of six months. Jon Jay got sick after writing 5.”

First Chief Justice of the United States and second Governor of New York. Using the shared pseudonym, Publius, John Jay, Alexander Hamilton and James Madison advocated for a stronger centralized government in “The Federalist Papers.” They felt the current structure under the “Articles of Confederation” was too weak and could not be sustained. The topic of most of Jay’s essays dealt with the dangers of foreign power and influence.

Maria & James Reynolds
Referenced in: “Say No to This”
Line: “You’ve never seen a bastard orphan more in need of a break. Longing for Angelica. Missing my wife. That’s when Miss Maria Reynolds walked into my life.”

Alexander Hamilton’s affair with Maria Reynolds is considered the first political sex scandal in U.S. history. Upon learning of their encounters, James Reynolds blackmailed Hamilton for nearly a year. In response, Hamilton published “The Reynolds Pamphlet,” making his exploits public and effectively debilitating his political career and personal life. When Maria finally decided to separate from James she hired a prominent New York attorney as her divorce lawyer: Aaron Burr.

Philip Schuyler
Referenced in: “Schuyler Defeated”
Line: “Look! Grandpa’s in the paper! War hero Philip Schuyler loses Senate seat to young upstart Aaron Burr!”

Served as a general in the American Revolution and spent nearly a decade as a New York State Senator. He also served in the first United States Congress as a New York Senator for two years before being unseated by Aaron Burr.

William P. Van Ness & Nathaniel Pendelton
Referenced in: “The World Was Wide Enough”
Line: “We rode across the Hudson at dawn. My Friend William P. Van Ness signed on as my- Number two! Hamilton arrived with his crew: Nathaniel Pendelton and a doctor that he knew”

Both William P. Van Ness and Nathaniel Pendelton were United States District Judges who served as the “second” for Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton, respectively. In the aftermath they issued a joint-statement regarding the proceedings. Although they could not reach consensus on who fired first, it is widely accepted that two shots were fired.

This article has been reprinted with permission of Playhouse Square.

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HAMILTON
Oct 16-Nov 24 • Buell Theatre
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