James Alexander Hamilton

Wordly Women: Samantha Wilcoxson

Sharon Bennett ConnollyLeave a comment

Today we are hopping across the pond for the next chat in my Wordly Women series. Joining me is Samantha Wilcoxson. Author of fiction novels mainly based in the late medieval and Tudor eras and and non-fiction books on the American Revolution, Samantha’s books – literally – span the Atlantic divide. Samantha has a knack for getting into the heads of the people she is writing about. Her book, Plantagenet Princess, Tudor Queen, about Elizabeth of York, is still one of the most insightful novels I have ever read.

Sharon: What got you into writing?

Samantha: What got you into writing? I have always loved reading and used to write dozens of book reviews every year. Many of those books were historical fiction and nonfiction. When I was considering ways to earn money while a stay-at-home mom, my husband suggested I write a book. I had never considered taking this step, so the first obstacle was deciding what I would want to write about. It didn’t take me long to settle on Elizabeth of York, and I quickly became passionate about the project. That novel turned into a series, and I’ve ventured into other historical eras since then.

Sharon: Tell us about your books.

Samantha: Each of my novels explores the life of a real historical figure in a way that helps readers connect with them on a personal level. My Plantagenet Embers series includes three novels featuring Elizabeth of York, Margaret Pole, and Mary I. It also has three novellas that offer new points of view of the same events by focusing on Margaret Beaufort, Elizabeth Woodville, and Reginald Pole. Then I moved into US history with my next two novels. Luminous is biographical fiction of real life radium girl Catherine Wolfe Donohue, and But One Life explores the life of American Revolution soldier Nathan Hale. My nonfiction books are Women of the American Revolution and a newly released biography of James Alexander Hamilton.

Sharon: What attracted you to the Tudors?

Samantha: When I started writing the series that ended up covering the early Tudor era, I was actually obsessed with the Wars of the Roses. I thought Elizabeth of York was an unsung heroine, so I started with her with no real intention of writing about the Tudors! This is actually a great insight into my writing. I never know what is coming next.

Sharon: So, what is coming next?

Samantha: I am currently writing a trilogy set during the Wars of the Roses for Sapere Books. It includes multiple women’s points of view. For example, book one has chapters featuring Marguerite of Anjou, Cecily Neville, and Anne Beauchamp. That one is in editing, and I’m working on book two, which will add the perspective of Elizabeth Woodville and others.

Sharon: How do you approach researching your topic?

Samantha: This depends a lot on whether I’m writing fiction or nonfiction. For novels, I largely depend on biographies already written, but for nonfiction I look for more primary resources like personal letters and diaries. For either, I like to visit locations important to the people I’m writing about so that I can include details about the places they experienced.

Sharon: You also write US history non-fiction.

Samantha: Tell us your ‘favourite’ story you have come across in your research? My research into James Alexander Hamilton uncovered loads of interesting discoveries, partly because nobody else has really written about him. I held letters written between James and Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, John Quincy Adams, and so many others. (Gotta admit, it was tempting to try sneak that JQA letter into my bag!) I think the most fun story I came across, besides John Quincy writing about being too old to stay up all night at a lively Hamilton party, was learning that James was part of the crew of the schooner America for which the America’s Cup is named.

Sharon: Tell us your least ‘favourite’ US history story you have come across in your research?

Samantha: I don’t know if I would call it a least favorite, but I decided to write a novel about Nathan Hale because I often came across quotes attributed to him such as, “I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country” but very little else about who Hale was. What happened in this young man’s life to create such bravery and patriotism? Few references to him offered much, so I decided to dig in and reveal the story of Nathan Hale before his famous execution during the American Revolution.

Sharon: Are there any other eras you would like to write about?

Samantha: I always have a few ideas brewing but am committed to the next couple of books on the Wars of the Roses right now. I have started a bit of research into a historical event that occurred near my home in Michigan in 1847 that I would like to consider for a future project. I’m not one of those writers who has the next five years planned out and I tend to impetuously strike out in new directions, so we’ll see what happens.

Sharon: And finally, what is the best thing about being a writer?

Samantha: Besides spending my day reading, writing, and learning about history, I love the flexibility of being a writer. I began as a stay-at-home mom, and I still appreciate the ability to easily set my work aside for a few days if one of my adult children needs anything. I’ve also made many friends in the writing community who make me feel less alone as a history nerd and have provided amazing support and encouragement for each of my book projects.

About the Author:

Samantha Wilcoxson is an author of emotive biographical fiction and nonfiction featuring history’s unsung heroes. Her novel Luminous has been named Book of the Year by Ruins & Reading and Yarde Book Reviews. Samantha’s most recent work is the first biography of James Alexander Hamilton, published by Pen & Sword History. She is currently writing a Wars of the Roses trilogy for Sapere Books. When not reading or writing, Samantha loves sharing trips to historic places with her family and spending time by the lake with a glass of wine.

Where to find Samantha Wilcoxson:

Website; Instagram; Amazon Author Page; Newsletter Signup; Goodreads; Pinterest; Twitter; Shop Direct; Audible

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My books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody. Being England’s northern neighbour has never been easy. Scotland’s queens have had to deal with war, murder, imprisonment, political rivalries and open betrayal. They have loved and lost, raised kings and queens, ruled and died for Scotland. From St Margaret, who became one of the patron saints of Scotland, to Elizabeth de Burgh and the dramatic story of the Scottish Wars of Independence, to the love story and tragedy of Joan Beaufort, to Margaret of Denmark and the dawn of the Renaissance, Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all. This is the story of Scotland through their eyes.

‘Scotland’s Medieval Queens gives a thorough grounding in the history of the women who ruled Scotland at the side of its kings, often in the shadows, but just as interesting in their lives beyond the spotlight. It’s not a subject that has been widely covered, and Sharon is a pioneer in bringing that information into accessible history.’ Elizabeth Chadwick (New York Times bestselling author)

Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. Heroines of the Tudor World is now available from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. 

Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

Podcast:

Have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Bernard Cornwell and Michael Jecks, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

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Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

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©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly, FRHistS and Samantha Wilcoxson

Guest Post: James A. Hamilton and the Americas Cup by Samantha Wilcoxson

Sharon Bennett Connolly1 Comment

Today, it is a pleasure to welcome Samantha Wilcoxson to History…the Interesting Bits with an article on James A. Hamilton. Samantha’s biography of Hamilton, James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution.

James A. Hamilton and the Americas Cup

The America’s Cup has not always been called by that name. In 1851, an invitation came to the New York Yacht Club, the only yacht club in the United States at that time, from the Royal Yacht Squadron “to test the relative merits of the ships.” The British challengers did not anticipate any real contest from the Americans, given their relative inexperience in an arena long dominated by England’s seamen.

It was the same year as England’s Great Exhibition with its Crystal Palace, and national pride was running high. The New York Yacht Club decided to send a schooner named America. One of the ship’s owners was George Lee Schuyler, son-in-law to James Alexander Hamilton.

Schuyler was confident of the schooner’s capabilities and looked forward to seeing it compete against the British ships. Unfortunately, personal issues kept him at home, and he asked his father-in-law to join the crew of the America in his place.

The crew greeting Queen Victoria and Prince Albert, James is the man on the far left

James was the third son of Alexander Hamilton, who had served as the first US treasury secretary and created the national bank. When traveling in Europe, James would often have official letters of introduction from presidents or cabinet members, but he recorded that he rarely used them. “My father’s name alone was my best passport to society.” In this case, it was his son-in-law’s boat that put him in the middle of historic events.

Among a field of sixteen ships, the America took off in a light wind on 22 August 1851. James compared them to race-horses breaking away from the starting line. Shockingly, the America quickly jumped into the lead. When Queen Victoria was informed that the US schooner was in the lead, she asked which was second. The response? “Your Majesty, there is no second.” The America had left all competition far behind.

The American schooner yacht

Following the victory, the Queen and Prince Albert boarded the America to offer their congratulations and were greeted by four crew members, including James A Hamilton. The Royal Yacht Squadron Cup, which the US team was awarded, became known as the America’s Cup, as did the annual regatta.

Read more about the 1851 America’s Cup and other James Alexander Hamilton adventures in my new biography, available through Pen & Sword and your favorite bookstore!

About the book:

Born in the year of the Constitutional Convention, James Alexander Hamilton was uniquely positioned to observe the early republic era and the formation of the experimental United States government. His father, Alexander Hamilton, had been the first US Treasury Secretary, an outspoken and controversial character who was killed in a duel when James was a teenager. With a lifelong devotion to his father’s memory, James advised men from Andrew Jackson and Martin Van Buren to Abraham Lincoln and Salmon P Chase on banking and constitutional matters.

Through his own talents and with the advantage of his father’s name, James served as temporary Secretary of State and District Attorney of New York. James enjoyed a close-knit family life with his wife, Mary Morris, at his Hudson River home named Nevis for his father’s birthplace. He was part of the crew of the yacht America, for which the America’s Cup is named, and on the committee for New York’s Crystal Palace in 1853. More importantly, he served his country through the War of 1812, Western Expansion, and the bloody Civil War. His first-hand account of these transformative events gives readers a priceless look at America’s past. James supported the abolition of slavery and wrote a draft of the Emancipation Proclamation before settling down to write his own Reminiscences that cover the first seventy-five years of US history. 

This biography makes James A Hamilton’s life and observations accessible to the modern reader and will leave you with a new appreciation for the Founders’ heirs who inherited the difficult work of building a nation.

To Buy the book:

James Alexander Hamilton: Son of the American Revolution.   

About the author:

Samantha Wilcoxson is an author of emotive biographical fiction and nonfiction featuring history’s unsung heroes. She loves sharing trips to historic places with her family and spending time by the lake with a glass of wine. Her most recent work is a biography of James Alexander Hamilton published by Pen & Sword History. Samantha is currently writing a Wars of the Roses trilogy for Sapere Books.

Social media:

Websitehttps://samanthawilcoxson.com
Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/samantha_wilcoxson
Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/PlantagenetEmbers/
Amazon Author Pagehttps://amazon.com/author/samanthawilcoxson
Newsletter Signuphttps://dashboard.mailerlite.com/forms/668153/107384163504489521/share

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My Books

Signed, dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

Out now: Scotland’s Medieval Queens

Scotland’s history is dramatic, violent and bloody. Being England’s northern neighbour has never been easy. Scotland’s queens have had to deal with war, murder, imprisonment, political rivalries and open betrayal. They have loved and lost, raised kings and queens, ruled and died for Scotland. From St Margaret, who became one of the patron saints of Scotland, to Elizabeth de Burgh and the dramatic story of the Scottish Wars of Independence, to the love story and tragedy of Joan Beaufort, to Margaret of Denmark and the dawn of the Renaissance, Scotland’s Medieval Queens have seen it all. This is the story of Scotland through their eyes.

Available now from Amazon and Pen and Sword Books

Also by Sharon Bennett Connolly:

Heroines of the Tudor World tells the stories of the most remarkable women from European history in the time of the Tudor dynasty, 1485-1603. These are the women who ruled, the women who founded dynasties, the women who fought for religious freedom, their families and love. Heroines of the Tudor World is now available for pre-order from Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. Women of the Anarchy demonstrates how Empress Matilda and Matilda of Boulogne, unable to wield a sword themselves, were prime movers in this time of conflict and lawlessness. It shows how their strengths, weaknesses, and personal ambitions swung the fortunes of war one way – and then the other. Available from Bookshop.org, Amberley Publishing and Amazon UK. King John’s Right-Hand Lady: The Story of Nicholaa de la Haye is the story of a truly remarkable lady, the hereditary constable of Lincoln Castle and the first woman in England to be appointed sheriff in her own right. Available from all good bookshops Pen & Sword Books, bookshop.org and Amazon. 

Defenders of the Norman Crown: The Rise and Fall of the Warenne Earls of Surrey tells the fascinating story of the Warenne dynasty, from its origins in Normandy, through the Conquest, Magna Carta, the wars and marriages that led to its ultimate demise in the reign of Edward III. Available from Pen & Sword Books, Amazon in the UK and US, and Bookshop.org. Ladies of Magna Carta: Women of Influence in Thirteenth Century England looks into the relationships of the various noble families of the 13th century, and how they were affected by the Barons’ Wars, Magna Carta and its aftermath; the bonds that were formed and those that were broken. It is now available in paperback and hardback from Pen & Sword, Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Heroines of the Medieval World tells the stories of some of the most remarkable women from Medieval history, from Eleanor of Aquitaine to Julian of Norwich. Available now from Amberley Publishing and Amazon, and Bookshop.org. Silk and the Sword: The Women of the Norman Conquest traces the fortunes of the women who had a significant role to play in the momentous events of 1066. Available now from Amazon,  Amberley Publishing, and Bookshop.org.

Alternate Endings: An anthology of historical fiction short stories including Long Live the King… which is my take what might have happened had King John not died in October 1216. Available in paperback and kindle from Amazon.

Podcast:

Have a listen to the A Slice of Medieval podcast, which I co-host with Historical fiction novelist Derek Birks. Derek and I welcome guests, such as Bernard Cornwell and Michael Jecks, and discuss a wide range of topics in medieval history, from significant events to the personalities involved. Every episode is also now available on YouTube.

*

Don’t forget! Signed and dedicated copies of all my books are available through my online store.

For forthcoming online and in-person talks, please check out my Events Page.

You can be the first to read new articles by clicking the ‘Follow’ button, liking our Facebook page or joining me on Twitter, Threads, Bluesky and Instagram.

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©2025 Sharon Bennett Connolly FRHistS and Samantha Wilcoxson