Alexander Hamilton, Washington’s right-hand man, was born in the West Indies. His early life was not easy. His father left him at an early age and his mother died soon after. He was orphaned at the age of eleven. He was, however, able to get a job as an apprentice of a local merchant. The merchant realized that Hamilton had potential as a merchant but lacked skills one would receive in normal schooling. The merchant, with assistance from Hamilton's aunts, sent him to New York to go to school. Hamilton was a supporter of the American cause from the very beginning. On March 14, 1776, the State of New York commissioned him a captain with authorization to raise an artillery for the defense of New York City. Hamilton successfully raised the company.