Col. Philip Peter Schuyler

Col. Philip Peter Schuyler

Find A Grave Memorial ID # 73451594

Col. Philip Schuyler lived his entire life near the Rensselaerwyck Mansion in an area known as "The Flats." He married Annatje Wendell on April 21, 1765. Col. Philip Schuyler was the commander of Fort Schoharie during the American Revolution. An attack on the fort was launched by, Sir John Johnson on the Lower Schoharie Valley. Although Johnson's attmpted takeover was unsuccessful, he caused an incredible amount of devestation throughout upper New York State.*

Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Nov 20 2020, 2:16:58 UTC

Philip Peter Schuyler was born in April 1736. He was the son of Pieter Jr. and Catharina Groesbeck Schuyler. He grew up in a large family in a trader's third ward home and on a farm north of Albany. His father died in 1753 when Philip was about eighteen.

In April 1765, he married Albany native Anna Wendell at the Albany Dutch church. By 1785, nine children were christened in the church where he was a lifelong member and later a member of the church consistory.

From the mid-1760s, his Rensselaerswyck farm was valued on contemporary assessment rolls. In 1769, he was identified as in possession of the farm located north of Albany and owned by Stephen Van Rensselaer II. It was scheduled to be transferred to his daughter following the Patroon's death. However, he seems to have held that property for the remainder of his life.

With the outbreak of hostilities in 1775, he supported the crusade for American liberties as an active member of the Rensselaerswyck committee. He stood out by signing the oath of secrecy and the General Association. An experienced officer in the provincial militia, he was commissioned colonel of the Third or Watervliet Regiment of the Albany County militia and saw active duty in the Mohawk Valley, at Saratoga, elsewhere, and against Tories.

After the war, he was approaching fifty and returned to his Watervliet farm. In 1790, his household was served by five slaves.

Philip P. Schuyler lost his wife in December 1802. He died in June 1808 and was buried in the family plot. A newspaper obituary marked his passing.This "officer in the Revolution" had lived seventy-three years. His eldest daughter married jurist Abraham Van Vechten.