Aaron Burr is famously known for his time as vice president to Thomas Jefferson and his relation with Alexander Hamilton. Burr served as vice president from 1801 – 1805. His famous known goal was that Burr had plans to build a private army for a Western Expansion. He wanted to separate the Western U.S states from the Union and form an Empire. 

What Was Burr’s Early Life Like?

Aaron Burr was born on February 6th, 1756 in Newark, New Jersey. His mother, Esther Edwards Burr, had her son at only 18 years old. His father, Aaron Burr Sr., was 40 years old at the time. Quickly after his son was born Aaron Burr Sr. died of a fever. Esther died the same way only a year later, making Aaron Burr and his sister, Sarah “Sally” Burr Reeve, orphans. The children were placed into their uncle’s care at last.

Aaron Burr was an extraordinary student. He was just 13 when he attended Princeton College. He graduated at just 16 too. Originally due to his family wanting him to be, Burr was going to become a minister. Aaron Burr went against his family wishes and took to studying law. His family didn’t agree with this and there was a feud leading to Burr running away. You might say this is what might have driven him to put a pause on his studies at 19 and join the Continental Army in the outbreak of the Revolutionary War. 

Service As Judicial Vice President

Before Aaron Burr got around to becoming Judicial Vice President he worked as a decorated officer in the Continental Army until 1779 and went to work as a lawyer afterwards.

Becoming Judicial Vice President for Burr was wild. There was an election between Burr and Thomas Jefferson, both hated the other so there was a thick tension. Aaron Burr chose to openly campaign, not in the traditional sense, but still, he would influence other electors to vote for who they truly wanted instead of just going with the popular option. Meanwhile Thomas Jefferson did not openly campaign. He rather used the press (the newspaper) to give speeches. 

In the end, there was a tie among the two so it was left to another official that worked with the office… Alexander Hamilton! Hamilton chose thoughtfully against his old best friend and chose Thomas Jefferson instead. This made Burr furious and the two men scheduled a Duel to put an end to their disputes. 

Burr Vs. Hamilton. The Duel

On July 11, 1804 Alexander Hamilton and Aaron Burr met up in Greenwich Village, New York. Both of them had a friend with them who would try to settle the dispute before the duel. There was one doctor with his back turned for liability. The sets of friends could not make ends meet between the two and there it was settled. There would be a gunfight.

Burr and Hamilton stood face-to-face. They counted down.. 9… 8… 7… 6… 5… 4… 3… 2… 1! Hamilton aimed his pistol at the sky in surrender. Burr thought too quickly and shot Hamilton right between his ribs… a fatal wound. Aaron Burr fled and that was that. No charges pressed but Burr had to live with guilt. Just as worse

Aaron Burr’s Family Life

Aaron Burr, long before the duel, married a woman who previously married a British officer. Theodosia Barton Prevost. They fell in love quickly even though it may have felt wrong at times. Theodosia gave birth to their first child Theodosia Burr Alston, a baby girl born June 21st, 1783. Her mother died when she was just 10 years old.

During Burr and Theodosia marriage Burr met a woman named Mary Emmons. They liked each other that was for sure. They had two kids: Louisa Charlotte, born 1788, and John Pierre, born 1792 Both children were members of the free African American community.

“I am the one thing in life I can control. I am inimitable. I am an original.” – Leslie Odom Jr. as Aaron Burr in the famous play: Hamilton.