Last updated: April 23, 2026
Place
Alexander Hamilton's Fort Christiansvaern
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Restroom
Fort Christiansvaern: A Difficult Past
By 1765, Fort Christiansværn stood as a powerful symbol of authority. For Rachel Hamilton, it was a place tied to painful memories.
About 20 years earlier, Rachel had been forced into a marriage with a much older man, John Michael Lavien. In 1750, she made a bold choice. She left him. At the time, this was against the law.
Her husband reacted by having her jailed inside this very fort. She spent months locked away. Later, he agreed to release her, believing she would return and live “properly” as his wife. She did not.
Rachel chose a different path. She left St. Kitts and later met James Hamilton, a Scotsman. They fell in love and started a new life together. Their second son was Alexander Hamilton.
As you stand here, think about Rachel’s courage. Her choices shaped not only her own life, but also the future of her son, one of the most influential figures in American history.