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Rev. Alexander Hamilton, MA, Weston
 Rector of Emanuel Parish, Minister in charge of Christ Parish, Redding, and Missionary in Fairfield County.

The subject of this sketch is third in descent from Alexander Hamilton of Revolutionary days, and son of General Alexander Hamilton of Tarrytown, New York; and on the maternal side a descendant of Richard Nicoll, the famous English governor of New York. 

He was born at Setanket, Long Island, where he spent his youth until eleven years of age, when, his father owning large estates in Northern New Jersey in the Ramapo Valley, he removed there in 1858 - remaining till the close of 1861, when his family became residents of New York city. He was educated at the public school and by tutors; took a special course in the General Theological Seminary of New York; and in 1870 was ordained by Bishop Potter. Having a special aptitude for missionary work, he became engaged in such effort successively at Armonck, Newcastle, and Pleasantville, and at Lewisboro, Westchester county, New York.

Resigning the work at Lewisboro, he purchased, in 1884, the historical Smith residence on Newtown avenue, Norwalk, Conn. While residing there, he prosecuted missionary work; and, taking a deep interest in the cause of education, was elected a member of the school board annually. 

  
 

In 1889 the rectorship of Emanuel Parish became vacant, and a call therefrom being extended to Mr. Hamilton, he moved to the rectory, and is now rector of that parish and missionary of two of the oldest parishes in Connecticut, - that at Redding being organized in 1727, and at Weston in 1744. Belonging to these churches are many old and valuable books and an ancient communion set; at Redding a Bible and prayer book, bound in one cover, under date 1726; while the communion set dates from 1735. Again elected as school visitor and committee in Weston, he renders valuable and appreciated service. 

He inherits the financial ability of Hamilton, and possesses the keenness and aptitude of one who has trained himself in the practical duties of life. He is fully alive to the responsibility that rests upon him, and earnestly desires and endeavors to advance by personal effort every good cause. Blessed with robust health, he is enabled to perform laborious work without fatigue; on Sunday holding three services and two Sunday-schools, preaching three sermons, and driving seventeen miles. These, with calls upon the sick, fill up each of the fifty-two Sundays of every year. Taking an interest in local improvements, he aids all enterprises for promoting the welfare of the community in which he lives. In politics he is a republican, though recognizing the principle of equal rights among all men in the exercise of the elective franchise. 

Mr. Hamilton has traveled throughout the British Isles and on the Continent, where he was received with consideration, preaching in the American churches there, and attending many public receptions. In 1872 he married Miss Adele Walton, daughter of William W. Livermore, banker, of New York city, and a grand-niece of Charles Floyd, a signer of the declaration of independence. He has four children living, the youngest a son. He is a member of the Cincinnati Society, Sons of the Revolution, Sons of Veterans, and the Historical Society of Westchester County, New York. He is also a frequent contributor of articles to the press.

Source: Illustrated Popular Biography of Connecticut - 1891, Compiled and Published by J. A. Spalding, Hartford Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company, 1891

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