Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I, Part 9

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934, ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 656

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Three miles above the present city of New- ark and opposite the old town of Belleville, on the Passaic river, Arent Schuyler erected his mansion. I It was built by him in 1710, and is standing, in excellent condition, this day. It is believed that he had to send to Holland for the brick that composed the front, and formed the other walls of brownstone found at Belleville. It has been the residence of generations of the Schuyler family since that time, and in its simple, substantial ar- chitecture is a noble type. In the olden times there was a magnificent deer park about the

HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

house, stocked with no less than 150 animals of that kind.

While living. Arent Schuyler was most lib- eral. He was an officer of the Reformed Dutch church, and soon after he settled on the Passaic he assisted in organizing it at Belleville. He gave it 150 pounds in 1729, as a commencement of a fund for the pastor's salary, and shortly added 300 pounds. After his death in 1730, his widow and five chil- dren, in respect to his memory, contributed 50 pounds apiece, and in 1739 John added 150 pounds, arranging for the right to vote on calling a minister, as also the privilege of signing the call, and the consistory bound it- self and successors not to invite a clergyman of another denomination to occupy the pulpit without his or their consent, provided always that they were members of the Dutch church. Colonel Schuyler, however, withdrew from the church because of a difference, and, while leaving the fund, he united with the Episco- palians, and built a church for them in the same place.

The children of Captain Arent Schuyler and his first wife, Jenneke Teller, are the first seven named ; the later five by his second wife, Swantje Van Duyckhuysen. Dispute or confusion possible to arise over the list pre- sented here, will be benefited by the plain statement that Mr. George W. Schuyler, in his "Colonial New York," (Scribner's, 1885, vol. II., p. 196), does not furnish the name of the fourth child, Olivia, and Charles H. Winfield. in his "History of Hudson County, New Jersey," 1874, page 535, does not fur- nish (what Schuyler does) the names of the first child, Margareta; of the third child, Maria, died young ; of fifth child, Judik, died young : nor of the seventh child, Wilhelmus, died young. Considerable research leads to the conclusion that no one has yet placed in type the birth dates of Arent Schuyler's last five children, all born after he left Albany, Swantje Van Duyckhuysen their mother. Children :

I. Margareta, baptized in Albany, Septem- ber 27, 1685 ; marriage license with Charles Oliver issued November 7, 1704.

2. Philip. baptized in Albany, September II, 1687; married Hester Kingsland, daugh- ter of Isaac Kingsland, of New Barbadoes Neck, New Jersey, and his wife, Elizabeth ; member of assembly of New Jersey in 1719 and 1721 : inherited the tract of land at Pe- quannock, which his father owned jointly with Samuel Bayard of Hoboken and the heirs of Anthony Brockholst, which included Pomp- -ton, New Jersey.

The children of Philip ( Arentse ) Schuyler

and Hester Kingsland were: Johannes, born September 2. 1713, married, June 24, 1741, Isaac Kingsland: Arent, born February 23, 1715, will proved December 15, 1806, married (first), October 1, 1741, Helena Van Wage- nen, married (second), Rachel -: Isaac, born April 26, 1716, died in infancy ; Philip, born December 23. 1717, married and had Philip and Garret ; Isaac. born September 8, 1719, married and had Major Schuyler ; Eliza- beth, born February 22, 1721, married (bond dated), November 9. 1748, Rev. Benjamin Van der Linde; Pieter, born June 7, 1723, died without issue (wife Mary) October 18, 1808; Hester, born April 12, 1725, married Teunis Dey ; Maria, born September II. 1727 ; Jenneke, born October 26, 1728, married Board, and resided at Wesel: Jo- hannes, born June 4, 1730, died in infancy ; Casparus, born December 10. 1735, married and had one child. Hester, who married Gen- eral William Colfax, of Pompton, New Jer- sey, grandfather of Schuyler Colfax, vice- president of the United States.

3. Maria, baptized in Albany, October 6, 1689: died young.

4. Olivia, mentioned in her father's will. but dead at that time, and leaving issue.

5. Judik, baptized in Albany, March II, 1692 ; died young.

6. Casparns, baptized in New York City, May 5, 1695 ; received from his father a deed for land in Burlington, New Jersey, at Lossa or Wingworth's Point.

7. Wilhelmus, baptized in New York City, June 2, 1700 ; died young.

8. John, died before proving of will on February 12, 1773; married Anne Van Rens- selaer, born January 1, 1719 (see forward : also, see Van Rensselaer family).

9. Pieter, born probably at New Barba- does Neck, opposite Belleville, New Jersey, about 1710; died at his home, then called Pe- tersborough, on the east bank of the Passaic, a short distance above Newark, March 7, 1762 ; married Mary, daughter of John Wal- ter. a man of great wealth residing on Han- over Square in New York City. By his father's will he received 760 acres of land in Elizabethtown, near Rahway river. When it was proposed to invade Canada in 1746, he was authorized to recruit, then placed in com- mand of 500 men; embarked at Perth Am- boy, September 3rd, for Albany, where he ar- rived on the 9th, when, through failure of the home government to send forces from Eng- land. the expedition was abandoned. While located there the soldiers complained from ac- tual winter suffering, were denied their pay, and made threats to leave. He wrote on Feb-

HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

ruary 26, 1747, to the authorities in New Jer- sey, that his inen needed a surgeon, medicines, shirts, flints, colors, bread and peas. On May II, 1747, Governor Hamilton, of New Jer- sey, complimented Colonel Schuyler on his zeal, and authorized each man to receive "two speckled shirts and one pair of shoes." It

was necessary for Schuyler to do more to quiet his men, and he advanced several thou- sands pounds from his own pocket. Later he marched his regiment to Saratoga, to garrison the fort. When warfare broke out in 1754 he was placed in command of the New Jersey forces, and his regiment moved up the Mo- hawk from Schenectady early in July, reach- ing Oswego July 20th, but because of defeats in New Jersey was called back hurriedly. In August, 1755, he was again returned to engage in the defense of Forts Oswego and Ontario. He was captured by Montcalm's men and taken to Montreal, and from there to Quebec, where he remained a prisoner until paroled, October, 1757. When he arrived in New York City, November 19th, there was a gen- eral illumination in his honor and a bonfire of proportions on the campus. When he reached his home he was welcomed with a sa- lute from thirteen pieces of cannon. His pa- role over and no exchange effected, he sur- rendered himself to Montcalm at Ticonderoga, July 23, 1758, and sent to Montreal; but on November 1. 1758, he was exchanged for Sieur de Noyau, commandant at Fort Fronte- nac, and brought back with him eighty-eight prisoners, many of whom he had paid for highly, some of whom he had supported in captivity. Peter Schuyler and Mary Walter had one child, Catherine, who married Archi- bald Kennedy, Earl of Casselis, who married, as widower, Anne Watts.

IO. Adonijah, born in 1717; died before May 28, 1762, when his will was proved ; re- ceived by his father's will two tracts of land at Elizabethtown Point, New Jersey : married Gertrude Van Rensselaer, who was born at Rensselaerswyck, October 1, 1714, daughter of 4th Patroon Kiliaen Van Rensselaer and Maria Van Cortlandt : by whom: Van Rens- selaer ; Mary; Swan, married November 2, 1772, Arent Schuyler, and died May 20, 1801, (see forward) : John, married February 16, 1769, Mary Hunter; Peter; Adonijah, when aged twelve years entered the British navy under Captain St. John, became lieutenant, married Susan Shields, of Plymouth, Eng- land, where he settled; Philip, died without issue, will proved September 26, 1795.

II. Eve, married Peter Bayard, died in 1737.

12. Cornelia, married Pierre De Peyster.

By their father's will these two last daughters received two lots of ground on Broadway, in New York, Eve receiving an Indian slave, Molly, and Cornelia one named Nanny.

(III) John Schuyler, son of Arent Schuy- ler and Swantje Van Duyckhuysen, was born about 1708, and died at Belleville, New Jer- sey, January 12. 1773.

By his father's will, he received the home- stead farm and the very valuable copper mines situated at New Barbadoes Neck, New Jersey. He was a colonel of the regiment of militia and also of the regiment of horse in Bergen county, New Jersey. Governor Cosby recommended him to a seat in the New Jersey council, September 5, 1735, to which he was appointed, and in 1746 he re- signed. His will was signed December 22, 1772, and was probated February 12, 1773.

John Schuyler married, at Albany, Anne Van Rensselaer, who was born there January I, 1719, died in 1791, daughter of the 4th Patroon Kiliaen Van Rensselaer and Maria Van Cortlandt. (See Van Rensselaer family). Children : 1. Arent John, born October 10, 1746, at Belleville, New Jersey ; died there, October 28, 1803; married, November 2, 1772, Swan Schuyler (see. forward). 2. Mary, born about 1762 ; died unmarried.

(IV) Arent John Schuyler, son of John Arent Schuyler and Anne Van Rensselaer, was born in the family homestead at Belle- ville, New Jersey, October 10, 1746, and died there October 28, 1803. He was a member of the standing committee of correspondence of the county of Bergen, N. J.

He married, November 2, 1772, Swan Schuyler, daughter of Adonijah Schuyler and Gertrude Van Rensselaer, therefore his cousin, and she died May 20, 1801, aged sixty years. Children : I. Anne, died July 20, 1783, aged seven years eight months. 2. John Arent, born at Belleville, New Jersey, April 12, 1779; died there October 12, 1817; mar- ried (first) Eliza Kip, (second) Catherine Van Rensselaer (see forward).

(V) John Arent Schuyler, son of Arent John Schuyler and Swan Schuyler, was born April 12, 1779, and died at Belleville, N. J., October 12, 1817.

He married (first), in 1800, Eliza Kip, daughter of James H. Kip, by whom his first two children. She died November 17, 1805, and he married (second) in 1807, Catherine Van Rensselaer, daughter of General Robert Van Rensselaer of Claverack, New York, son of John Van Rensselaer, and she died Febru- ary 2, 1867, by whom he had five children :

1. Arent Henry, born November 25, 1801; married, April 24, 1828, Mary Caroline

HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

Kingsland, and died May 19, 1878 (see for- ward).

2. Harriet Ann, born January 31, 1803; baptized February 17, 1803; married, Decem- ber 19, 1822, Smith W. Anderson.

3. Angelica Van Rensselaer, died March 30, 1864.

4. John Arent, died November 21, 1855; married Frances Elizabeth Bleecker, daughter of Alexander Bleecker, of New York City.

5. Robert Van Rensselaer, born June 4, 1813; died at Jersey City, New Jersey, Feb- ruary 17, 1856; married, September 9, 1851, Kate Manchini, daughter of Angelo Man- chini : by whom one child, Van Rensselaer, who was born at Brooklyn, New York, July 27, 1852, married, at Buffalo, N. Y., June 26, 1899, Ethel Cornelia Paul. born at Evanston, Ills., August 10, 1876, daughter of Cornelius Danforth Paul. Kate Manchini (Schuyler), when a widow, married her husband's nephew, John Arent Schuyler (see forward).

6. Jacob Rutsen, born in 1816; died Feb- ruary 4. 1887 ; married. November 18, 18.47, Susanna Edwards, daughter of Timothy Ed- wards. She was born in 1826, and died Janu- ary 23, 1870.

7. Catherine Gertrude, born in 1818; died October 8, 1887; married, October 4, 1838, Henry S. Craig.

(VI) Arent Henry Schuyler, son of John Arent Schuyler and Eliza Kip, was born at Belleville, New Jersey, November 25, 1801, and died there, May 19. 1878.

He married, at Belleville, New Jersey, April 24, 1828, Mary Caroline Kingsland. She was born at Kingsland, New Jersey, June 21, 1804; died at Newark, New Jersey, July 21, 1894, daughter of Henry W. Kingsland and Sarah Jauncey. Children, all born in Belle- ville, New Jersey :

1. Henry Kingsland, born March 5, 1829; died there. August 10, 1896; married, Decem- ber 15, 1858, Ellen Valentine, daughter of Anthony P. Valentine, of Spottswood, New Jersey ; by whom: Arent, born September 25. 1860. died 1908 ; Campbell Valentine, born July 2. 1864: Henry Kingsland, born August 29, 1876.

2. John Arent, born February 19, 1831 ; died June 15, 1870 ; married, Jersey City, New Jersey, January 14, 1863, Kate Manchini (Schuyler ) (see forward).

3. Smith Arent, born November 18, 1832; died at Newark, New Jersey, July 26, 1870; married Elizabeth Kneeland, and had Cort- landt Van Rensselaer, Frank Herbert, Smith Anderson.

4. Edwin Nesbit, born June 15, 1834; died there, September 13, 1835.

5. Harriet Anderson, born August 29, 1836: died at Newark, New Jersey. February 17. 1882 ; married, September 15, 1858, Sidney Augustus Schieffelin, and had Caroline Schuy- ler, Henry Hamilton, Alice Van Rensselaer, Harriet Augusta and Schuyler.

6. Sarah Jauncey, born June 22, 1838, mar- ried. Belleville, October 6, 1858, Stephen Van Cortlandt Van Rensselaer, son of John Van Rensselaer, and had one son, Stephen Van Cortlandt, who died young.

7. Arent Henry, born August 8, 1840; died there, September 20, 1863.

8. Richards Kingsland, born June 24, 1842; married, Brooklyn, New York. December 3, 1879, Lucretia Kellogg, and had John Arent, died young ; Walter Kellogg; Philip Van Rensselaer ; Mary Kingsland, and Clarence Richards.

9. Mary Caroline, born February 16, 1845; died, August 9, 1845.

IO. Catherine Gertrude, born, August 17, 1846; died, December 16, 1866.

(VII) John Arent Schuyler, son of Arent Henry Schuyler and Mary Caroline Kings- land, was born at Belleville. New Jersey, Feb- ruary 19. 1831, and died at Jersey City, New Jersey, June 15, 1870.

He married, at Jersey City, January 14, 1863. Kate Manchini, widow of Robert Van Rensselaer Schuyler. She was born at New York, New York, April 15, 1831, and was the daughter of Angelo Manchini and Anne Eaton. Issue: Sidney Schieffelin, born at Jersey City, August 25, 1864 (see forward). (VIII) Sidney Schieffelin Schuyler, son of John Arent Schuyler and Kate Manchini (Schuyler), was born at Jersey City, New Jersey, August 25, 1864. He is a member of the New York Stock Exchange, senior mem- ber of firm of Schuyler, Chadwick & Burn- ham, 100 Broadway, and resides in Plainfield, New Jersey.

He married, at Bayonne, New Jersey. De- cember 12, 1894, Cora Anderson. She was born at Bridgeport, Connecticut, September 29, 1866, died at Kingsland, New York, June 16, 1898. daughter of John Joseph Anderson, of St. Louis, Missouri, and Emma Dyer. By this marriage one child, Marion Van Rensse- laer, born at Bayonne, New Jersey, January 14, 1896. He married (second), at Cranford, New Jersey, July 15, 1903, Hélene Gladys Abry. She was born at Cranford, July 10, 1886, daughter of Charles Leo Abry, of New York City: by whom two children: Van Rensselaer, born at Plainfield. New Jersey, April 29. 1905; John Arent, born at Plain- field, November 23, 1910.

CUYLER REYNOLDS.

HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

This is an ancient and LIVINGSTON noble family of Scottish origin, more remotely de- scended from Leving, a Hungarian noble, who came to Scotland in the train of Mar- garet, queen of King Malcolm of Scotland. about 1068. This once powerful family of Livingston through their romantic attachment to a "lost cause" suffered a complete down- fall in Scotland, and is now represented in the female line only. Sir William de Livingston. founder of the House of Callendar, served under Sir William Donglass at the siege of Sterling Castle in 1339. King David, son of Robert the Bruce, granted him the forfeited Callendar estates. Sir William afterward married the daughter and heiress of Sir Pat- rick de Callendar. In America the family name is an honored one, and above one of the dormer windows in the state capitol at Albany their armorial bearings are sculptured, a mark of public honor. The arms of the American family are the quartered arms of Livingston of Callendar and date back to the fourteenth century. Chancellor Living- ston stands chief among the chancellors of New York state and is honored with a bronze full figure statue in the state capitol. William Livingston was the famous "war governor" of New Jersey during the revolution. At the battles of Saratoga, eight Livingstons were in command of troops, three of them led their regiments at critical points of the bat- tles. The history of the family is a history of over a century and a half of the most exciting and important years of American life. The name is found everywhere in hon- orable position and all are descended from Robert Livingston whose line is traced here- in; Robert Livingston, "the nephew," and James Livingston, whose descendants left the Hudson valley, settling in the Schoharie val- ley and along the upper Susquehanna.

The immediate English ancestor is Rev. John Livingston, son of Rev. William Living- ston, minister of Lanark, Scotland. Rev. John Livingston was born at Kilsyth in Stirl- ingshire, Scotland, June 21, 1603. He was for a time chaplain to the countess of Wig- toun, and was shortly afterward installed over the church of Killinchie in Ireland. Being persecuted for non-conformity, he determined to emigrate to America, actually embarking for that purpose in a vessel bound for Boston, but being driven back by contrary winds, he abandoned his purpose and settled in 1638 at Stranraer in Scotland. In 1648 he removed to Ancurm in Teviotdale, where his son Rob- ert was born. In March, 1650, he was sent as a commissioner to Brede to negotiate terms

for the restoration of Charles II. After that event the persecution against him being re- vived, he went to Rotterdam, Holland. Here he began to publish an edition of Bible which he did not live to complete. He died at Rot- terdam, Holland, in August, 1672. He mar- ried, at Edinburgh, in the West church, June 23, 1635, Janet, eldest daughter of Bartholo- mew Fleming, of the old Scottish family of that name, of which the then head was the Earl of Wigton, who with his eldest son, Lord Fleming, was present at the wedding. She was born at Edinburgh, Scotland, No- vember 16, 1613, died at Rotterdam, Holland, February 13, 1693-94, and was buried in the French church in that city. Children, fifteen in number, all born in Scotland, except John, the eldest, who was born at Melton, Ireland, June 30, 1636. The youngest son, Robert, is the ancestor of the American family of Liv- ingston Manor. James, the ninth child, is the father of Robert Livingston, "the nephew".

(The American Family ).

(I) Robert Livingston, youngest son and fourteenth child of Rev. John and Janet (Fleming) Livingston, was born at Ancrum, Scotland, December 13, 1654. died October 1, 1728 (some authorities say at Boston, Massa- chusetts), and is buried in the family vault at Livingston Manor, town of Livingston, Co- lumbia county, New York, over which the Livingston Memorial church has been erected in recent years. It is supposed he accompa- nied his father to Holland as he was familiar with the Dutch language. He was eighteen years of age when his father died and he was left dependent upon his own resources for support. His thoughts naturally turned to the New World which his father had before him made an attempt to reach. He returned to Scotland with his mother where he inade but a short stay. April 28. 1672, he sailed from Grenock, Scotland, a passenger on the ship Catherine of Charlestown, Captain John Phillips, master, bound for Charlestown, New England. The exact date of his arrival in New England is unknown. He was soon, however, at New York, which was now under English control. Not being suited in New York, he proceeded to Albany, the next larg- est city in the colony and an important trad- ing point. His knowledge of the Dutch lan- guage here was of great advantage to him and he was appointed in February, 1676, sec- retary of the commissaries who then superin- tended the affairs of Albany, Schenectady and adjacent territory, which office he held until July, 1686, when Albany being made a city. the board of commissaries was dissolved. He

HUDSON AND MOHAWK VALLEYS

was appointed with his brother-in-law, Peter Schuyler, to proceed to New York to obtain the charter of the city from Governor Don- gan, under which he was afterwards made town clerk, to which annexed the additional office of farmer of the excise. He was also secretary for Indian affairs and collector of customs.

As early as 1675 he became a lot owner in Albany, owning the lot at the corner of State and North Pearl street, where he lived until his removal to the Manor. On July 18, 1683, he made a purchase of tracts along the east side of the Hudson containingg 2,000 acres of land from four Indian chiefs, a purchase which was later confirmed by Governor Thomas Dongan.

His purchases were continued and on July 26, 1686. Governor Dongan issued a patent erecting a vast territory of not less than 125,- 000 acres into a lordship and manor to be rec- ognized as the Lordship and Manor of Liv- ingston, the only requirement being the an- nual payment to the government of Great Britain of twenty-eight shillings sterling, to be paid at the city of Albany, March 25, of each succeeding year. The land included, commenced about five miles north of the city of Hudson, running twelve miles on the Hudson, extending back to the Massachusetts line, widening as it receded from the river, so as to embrace not less than twenty miles on the boundary of the latter colony. The patent allowed the proprietor the privilege of holding a court seat and court baron with the advowson and right of patronage of the church within the manor. The tenants also had the privilege of assembly together to choose as- sessors to defray the public charges of cities, counties, and towns within the manor, in the same manner as those within the province. It granted the right of fishing, hawking, hunt- ing, and fowling, the possession of mines, min- erals (silver and gold mines excepted), and the right to fish in the Hudson along the boundary of said Manor. In 1715. however, the grant being confirmed by royal authority, the additional privilege of electing a repre- sentative to the general assembly of the col- ony and two constables were conferred upon the tenants. In 1710 more than 5,000 acres were taken to constitute a settlement for the Palatinates, which was called Germantown. This tract was purchased by the crown for this purpose, for the sum of 200 pounds sterl- ing. The Manor of Clermont, comprising about 13,000 acres was severed from the up- per manor by the will of Robert, the first lord of the Manor, and bequeathed to his youngest son. Robert (grandfather of Chancellor Liv-

ingston), to reward him for having discov- ered and frustrated a plot which had been formed by negroes on the estate to murder all the whites. In 1689 the tide of prosperity turned and he became involved in the troubles with Leisler, taking sides as did most of the prominent families against the Dutch gover- nor. His party being beaten, he retired to one of the neighboring provinces probably to avoid the fury of his enemies. He made a trip to England during this period and brought back with him his nephew, Robert Livingston. His fortune ebbed and flowed alternately; in 1702 his estates were confis- cated and he was suspended from the council board. But the tide again turned in his favor, and February 2, 1703. he once more obtained possession of his estates and in September, 1705, received from Queen Anne a commis- sion reinstating him in all his former appoint- ments. A mansion was erected on the Manor as early as 1692, but he did not reside there until 1711. In that year he was elected a member of assembly from the city and county of Albany, and in June, 1716, a representative from his Manor. In 1718 he was chosen speaker of house of assembly, which position he retained until 1725, when ill-health com- pelled his retirement from public life.

He married, July 9, 1679, in the Pres- byterian church at Albany, Alida. daugh- ter of Philip Pieterse Schuyler and his wife, Margarita Van Schlechtenhorst, only daugh- ter of the director of Rensselaerswyck and widow of Rev. Nicholas Van Rensselaer. She was born February 28. 1656. died March 27, 1729. Children: 1. Colonel John, born April 26, 1680, died February 19, 1720; mar- ried (first), at New London, April 1, 1701, Mary (died Jan. 8, 1713). only child of.Fitz John Winthrop, governor of Connecticut. He married (second) October, 1713. Elizabeth, daughter of Mrs. Sarah Knight, who died March 17, 1735. No issue by either wife. 2. Margaret. born December 5, 1681 ; married, December 20. 1700, Colonel Samuel Vetch, first English governor of Annapolis Royal. She died June, 1758. 3. Johanna Philippina, born February 1. 1683-84, died January 24, 1689-90. 4. Philip, of whom further. 5. Rob- ert, born July 24, 1688, died June 27, 1775. He was first proprietor of Clermont. He married, November II, 1717, New York City, at the Reformed Dutch church, Margaret Howarden. 6. Gilbert (or Hubertus), born March 3, 1689, died April 25, 1746: married, December 22, 1711. Cornelia Beekman. 7. William, born March 17. 1692, died Novem- ber 5, 1692. 8. Johanna, born December 10, 1694; married Cornelius Gerrit Van Horne.

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Hudson-Mohawk genealogical and family memoirs, Volume I, Part 9

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934, ed Publication date: 1911 Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company Number of Pages: 656

Author: Reynolds, Cuyler, 1866-1934, ed
Publication date: 1911
Publisher: New York, Lewis historical publishing company
Number of Pages: 656