Maria Reynolds

Maria Reynolds (née Lewis; March 30, 1768 – March 25, 1828) was the wife of James Reynolds and the Alexander Hamilton mistress between 1791 and 1792. She became the object of intense public scrutiny after the release of the Reynolds Pamphlet and was central to what is often called America’s first political sex scandal .

Born in New York City , she died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania at the age of 59.

Early life

Maria Reynolds, born as Mary Lewis, entered the world on March 30, 1768, in New York City , the daughter of Susanna Van Der Burgh and her second husband Richard Lewis. She grew up alongside six half‑siblings — among them Col. Lewis DuBois and Capt. Henry DuBois — and five full siblings, at least two of whom (older sisters Susannah and Sarah) survived into adulthood. [¹⁾] The Lewis family was not affluent; Richard Lewis worked as a merchant and/or laborer and was unable to sign his own name, a fact that underscores the modest circumstances of Maria’s upbringing. [¹⁾] Though her mother could write her own name, Maria’s education was limited, leaving her largely self‑taught in literacy.

On July 28, 1783, when she was just fifteen, Maria married James Reynolds, a man considerably older than herself who had served in the Revolutionary War in the commissary department. [²⁾] After the war, Reynolds repeatedly sought damages and reimbursements from the new government, a pursuit that would later intertwine with the Hamilton scandal. [³⁾] The couple’s only child, a daughter named Susan, was born on August 18, 1785, and was later baptized in October of the same year. [²⁾]

The Hamilton affair

Main article: Hamilton–Reynolds affair

Sometime before 1791, James Reynolds, Maria, and their infant daughter relocated from New York to Philadelphia . It was there, in the summer of 1791, that the 23‑year‑old Maria sought out the 34‑year‑old Alexander Hamilton at his residence, pleading that her abusive husband had abandoned her and that she needed assistance to return to New York. [⁴⁾] Hamilton, mindful of his political position, arranged a meeting that evening to provide the requested funds for relocation.

When Hamilton arrived at the boarding house where Maria was staying, she escorted him to her bedroom, where, as Hamilton later recorded, “some conversation ensued from which it was quickly apparent that other than pecuniary consolation would be acceptable.” [⁴⁾] The two embarked on a clandestine relationship throughout the summer and autumn of 1791 while Hamilton’s wife, Elizabeth , and their children remained at the family estate in Albany . [⁵⁾

During the affair, Maria repeatedly assured Hamilton that James Reynolds was attempting reconciliation, a claim she used to keep the liaison alive. [⁶⁾] When Reynolds later requested a Treasury position for himself, Hamilton refused, signaling his desire to end the affair. [⁷⁾] By December 15, 1791, Hamilton had made it clear that the relationship was over; nevertheless, Maria sent him a desperate letter warning that James Reynolds intended to expose the affair to Mrs. Hamilton unless Hamilton responded. [⁸⁾]

From December 15 to December 19, 1791, Reynolds dispatched a series of threatening letters to Hamilton, demanding financial compensation rather than a duel. [⁹⁾ [¹⁰⁾ [¹¹⁾] In response, Hamilton paid Reynolds $1,000 (equivalent to roughly $24,758 in 2024 dollars) and discontinued the affair, hoping to close the chapter. [¹²⁾] Yet on January 17, 1792, Reynolds wrote again, inviting Hamilton to resume visits with Maria. [¹³⁾ Maria, likely manipulated by her husband, began writing to Hamilton whenever James was away, coaxing him back into the affair. [¹⁴⁾ Each renewed encounter was followed by a brief “loan” of $30 (about $743 in 2024 dollars) from Hamilton to James Reynolds. [¹⁵⁾ The final known payment of $50 (≈ $1,216 in 2024) occurred in June 1792, after which the affair appears to have ceased. [¹⁶⁾

Divorce and second marriage

In 1793, with the assistance of Aaron Burr , Maria petitioned for a divorce from James Reynolds; the decree was finalized later that year. [¹⁷⁾ [¹⁸⁾] Prior to the divorce’s completion, she began cohabiting with Jacob Clingman, whom she eventually married in 1795. [¹⁹⁾] The couple settled in Alexandria, Virginia , where Maria took up residence as a housekeeper for a local merchant. [²⁰⁾

In the summer of 1797, journalist James T. Callender published a series of pamphlets promising to expose governmental misconduct. [²¹⁾] Anticipating the fallout, Hamilton chose to publish his own account — now famously known as the Reynolds Pamphlet — on August 25, 1797. [²²⁾ The 95‑page pamphlet detailed both his affair with Maria and the blackmail scheme orchestrated by James Reynolds.

Following the pamphlet’s release, Maria and her second husband faced public scorn and decided to relocate to Britain. [²³⁾ They returned to Philadelphia a few years later, where Maria resumed life under the name “Maria Clement.” [²⁴⁾ No definitive record of a divorce from Clingman has been located. [²⁵⁾

In 1800, her daughter Susan was sent to a Boston boarding school with the aid of Congressman William Eustis , who had been approached by Aaron Burr on Maria’s behalf. [²⁶⁾

Later life

In 1806, Maria married Dr. Mathew, the physician for whom she had previously worked as a housekeeper. [²⁷⁾ The marriage appears to have provided her with a degree of social stability and respectability. [²⁸⁾ Around 1808, Susan Reynolds rejoined her mother in Philadelphia, remaining with her for several years before marrying multiple times — each marriage ending unhappily. [²⁹⁾ Susan eventually bore two daughters, Josepha and another whose name is less documented; Maria raised Josepha from the age of twelve after Susan’s death at thirty‑nine. [³⁰⁾

Maria became increasingly devout, joining the Methodist Church and distancing herself from the scandalous reputation of her earlier years. [³¹⁾ Contemporary accounts describe her as “highly amiable and handsome,” and she earned the goodwill of those who knew her in her later community. [³²⁾

Maria Reynolds passed away on March 25, 1828, and was interred in Philadelphia. [³³⁾ Her life, marked by intrigue, resilience, and a gradual return to obscurity, continues to fascinate historians and cultural creators alike.

In popular culture

Maria Reynolds has inspired a variety of fictional portrayals across media:

• Theatre and film – Jeanne Eagels portrayed Maria in the 1917 Broadway production of Hamilton; June Collyer played her in the 1931 biographical film Alexander Hamilton; and Jasmine Cephas Jones originated the role of Maria (and also Peggy Schuyler) in the 2015 Broadway musical Hamilton, later reprising both parts on Broadway. [³⁴⁾

• Literature – The 2008 novel The Whiskey Rebels by David Liss features a character inspired by Maria; novelist Elizabeth Cobbs released The Hamilton Affair in 2016, a fictionalized treatment of her story. [³⁵⁾

• Television – Lise Hilboldt portrayed Maria Reynolds in the 1986 TV miniseries George Washington II: The Forging of a Nation. [³⁶⁾

• Music – While not a direct portrayal, the 2020 song “Maria” by indie artist X references the historical figure’s resilience. [³⁷⁾