EDITOR’S NOTE: This is part of a weekly series on our region’s history coordinated by the Trumbull County Historical Society.

The Broadway musical “Hamilton” celebrated its 10-year anniversary Aug. 6.

For 10 years, the musical has highlighted Alexander Hamilton’s story, but also Aaron Burr’s life as well. You may be wondering how the musical “Hamilton” relates to our local history, but the connection lies with the real Aaron Burr, who was the cousin of John Stark Edwards, a pioneer settler of Trumbull County.

John Stark Edwards was the son of Pierpont Edwards, whose father was the well-known fire-and-brimstone preacher Jonathan Edwards. Pierpont’s sister, Esther, married Aaron Burr Sr. in 1752. They had a daughter together in 1754 named Sarah, and then had Aaron Burr Jr. two years later in 1756.

A year after Aaron Jr. was born, his father died of fever. In 1758, Esther passed away from fever shortly after receiving a smallpox inoculation, but it was deemed unrelated to her cause of death.

Aaron Burr Jr. and his sister were taken in by their maternal uncle, Timothy Edwards (brother of John Stark Edwards’ father, Pierpont), who was just 21 years old at the time. Aaron Burr Jr. grew up, attended college and eventually went on to attend law school.

He developed a reputation for being brilliant and ambitious — qualities that often put him at odds with political rivals. Burr served as a Continental Army officer in the Revolutionary War and later became the third vice president of the United States under Thomas Jefferson.

However, his political career was overshadowed by controversy, rivalry and eventually scandal.

Aaron Burr Jr. might be most famous for what is known as the Burr-Hamilton Duel of 1804. The duel took place on July 11, with Alexander Hamilton dying the following day.

A mere 11 days after the duel, Louisa Maria Morris, future wife of John Stark Edwards and his cousin (which also makes her Aaron Burr’s cousin), received a letter from her father stating the following: “At present I feel no affliction so heavy as the death of General Hamilton, indeed, his death is a heavy loss to America and we may safely say he has not left behind him his fellow. I wish your Cousin Burr could have been better employed.”

Throughout the musical “Hamilton,” the character Aaron Burr has lines such as “My grandfather was a fire and brimstone preacher” — this, of course, is referring to Jonathan Edwards. He goes on to say the following lines: “My mother was a genius, My father commanded respect, When they died they left no instructions, Just a legacy to protect.”

These lyrics reflect Burr’s complicated past and his desire to forge his own identity amidst a family legacy steeped in intellect, religion and tragedy. Though “Hamilton” is a national phenomenon, its roots reach directly into the local soil of our own community. The next time you listen to or watch the Broadway musical, remember that there are local connections right around the corner from you — reminders that history is never as far away as it seems.