Stephen Van Rensselaer

by


Stephen Van Rensselaer (aka Stephanus) was born in March 1707. He was the second son of Kiliaen and Maria Van Cortlandt Van Rensselaer. His father was the Patroon and he grew up at the Van Rensselaer Manor House located north of Albany.

In 1717, the will filed by his father specified that he would succeeded to the patroonship on the demise of his older brother. A provision that would come to fruition three decades late. He also was left monetary and real property bequests from his father's estate.

In July 1729, he married Albany native Elizabeth Groesbeck at the Dutch church. By 1742, six children had been christened in Albany.

In 1742, his name was included on a list of freeholders living in the first ward.

On the death of his heirless brother, Jeremias, in 1745, Stephanus became lord of Rensselaerswyck. Sickly, he was unable to play a strong role in the development of the manor.

Stephen Van Rensselaer died at home in July 1747 at the age of forty. His will, filed just before his death, detailed a substantial estate. His widow survived until 1756. Their son succeeded his father as Patroon.


biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: Because neither he nor his father really actually lived in the city of Albany, the life of this Stephen Van Rensselaer has not been assigned a CAP biography number. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.




first posted: 1/10/07; updated 5/31/09