Catharina Schuyler Van Vechten
by
Stefan Bielinski


Catharina Schuyler was born in March 1766. She was the first child born in the large family of Philip P. and Anna Wendell Schuyler. She grew up on her father's farm in the Schuyler Flats section of the Manor of Rensselaerswyck.

In May 1784, she married rising attorney Abraham Van Vechten at the Albany Dutch church. Over the next twenty-one years, she gave birth to thirteen Van Vechten children.

After a time in the Mohawk Valley, these Van Vechtens set up their home on North Market Street near the northern boundary of the city. Their comfortable city house was attended by a number of servants. Abraham was a prominent attorney, jurist, and then Attorney General of New York State. Catharina also participated with her husband in a number of real estate transactions.

Catharina Schuyler Van Vechten died in September 1820 at the age of fifty-four. Her more high-profile husband lived until 1837.

biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of Catharina Schuyler Van Vechten is CAP biography number 1249. This profile is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




Home | Site Index | Navigation | Email | New York State Museum


first posted: 3/10/04