Margarita "Peggy" Schuyler Van Rensselaer is a character in the musical Hamilton, as well as one of the youngest of the Schuyler sisters.
Portrait of Margarita "Peggy" Schuyler by James Peale
Contents
Biography
Act One
Margarita “Peggy” Schuyler's first appearance is with her sisters, Elizabeth Schuyler and Angelica Schuyler, as they sing of the Revolution("The Schuyler Sisters"); Angelica in hopes to give women more equal rights. Peggy is immediately portrayed as a rule-follower, always doubting whether the sisters should be out in the excitement while they were supposed to be at home at their father's serious instructions. Her attitude of taking everything so seriously and being "two shoes too good" gives her a little pessimistic outlook. Though, in the musical, it is her pessimistic outlook which provides comic relief in the First Act. Later on, she is seen hugging her sisters and Hamilton following Eliza's engagement to him. She's also seen talking to John Laurens in the background of "Helpless" and "Satisfied". Hamilton also mentions that Peggy has begun to confide in him. Years later, however, Peggy Schuyler passes away at a very young age due to an illness, and as such makes no appearance in Act Two. She married Stephen Van Rensselaer III, therefore making her full name Margarita Schuyler Van Rensselaer.
Casting
Original Broadway
Jasmine Cephas Jones originated the role of Peggy Schuyler.
Chicago Production
- Samantha Marie Ware originated the role.
- Aubin Wise took over the role on September 23, 2017.
Trivia
- In the Schuyler sister trio, Peggy is the slightly pessimistic, youngest sister, who also serves as the comic relief out of the three, as opposed to her sisters who are more serious.
- In reality, Peggy was actually known as very quick-witted and sarcastic.[1]
- Peggy Schuyler, in reality, during a British raid in the Schuyler Mansion, ran downstairs to save her newborn sister, Catherine. She was caught and mistaken for a servant, and asked where General Schuyler was. She lied for the answer, stating that he'd 'gone to inform the town', and legend says a soldier threw a tomahawk at her and missed, and that the mark is still there.
- She married a distant cousin, Stephen Van Rensselaer III.
- She died at the age of 42 from a common cold.
- Alexander was the only person present when she died.
- In fact, she was very close to Alexander, a fact that was mentioned in the musical when Hamilton says "Peggy confides in me" in the song "Helpless".
