Robert Ray Hamilton

Robert Ray Hamilton (March 18, 1851 – August 23, 1890) was an American politician from New York.

Robert Ray Hamilton
Member of the New York State Assembly
from the 11th district
In office
January 1, 1886  December 31, 1889
Preceded byWalter Howe
Succeeded byWilliam N. Hoag
In office
January 1, 1881  December 31, 1881
Preceded byJames M. Varnum
Succeeded byJ. Hampden Robb
Personal details
Born(1851-03-18)March 18, 1851
New York City, New York, U.S.
DiedAugust 23, 1890(1890-08-23) (aged 39)
Snake River, Idaho, U.S.
Spouse(s)
Evangeline L. Mann (née Steele)
(m. 1889)
ParentsSchuyler Hamilton
Cornelia Ray
RelativesHamilton family
Alma materColumbia College
Columbia Law School
Occupation
  • Politician
  • lawyer

Early life

He was the son of Gen. Schuyler Hamilton (1822–1903); grandson of John Church Hamilton (1792–1882); and great-grandson of Alexander Hamilton (1755/7–1804) and Elizabeth Schuyler Hamilton.

Robert Ray Hamilton graduated from Columbia College and Columbia Law School. He was admitted to the bar, and practiced law in New York City.

Career

He was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co., 11th D.) in 1881, 1886, 1887, 1888 and 1889.

Hamilton bought a half interest in a ranch owned by John Sargent in Idaho where he intended to live permanently. In May 1890, he left New York City for his ranch, to go hunting.

Personal life

In August 1889, it became known that he was married to Evangeline L. Mann (née Steele), a "notorious woman" who had ensnared him by claiming that he was the father of her child Beatrice. Evangeline Mann assaulted her maid, and was sentenced to two years in prison. In October 1889, Hamilton sued for divorce. He stated that the marriage had been performed on January 7, 1889, and told the truth about Beatrice which had been in fact some foundling used for the scheme to get money out of Hamilton (who had an income of about $40,000 a year inherited from his maternal grandfather Robert Ray). It was later proved in court that Eva had been married already to one Joshua L. Mann before she ever knew Hamilton, and Mann sued for divorce in 1893.

In September 1890, he was found dead in the Snake River, near the Southern end of Yellowstone Park, apparently having drowned and having been in the water for several days, making identification somewhat difficult. An investigation accused John I. Sergent of murdering Hamilton, but Sergent was found to be legally insane and was never prosecuted for the crime.[1]

References

Sources

New York State Assembly
Preceded by
James M. Varnum
New York State Assembly
New York County, 11th District

1881
Succeeded by
J. Hampden Robb
Preceded by
Walter Howe
New York State Assembly
New York County, 11th District

1886–1889
Succeeded by
William N. Hoag
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