Brandt Schuyler

Brandt Schuyler was born in December 1659. He was a son in the large family of New Netherland pioneers Philip Pieterse and Margarita Van Slichtenhorst Schuyler. He grew up in the Albany area as a member of one of the colony's foremost families.

In 1679, this young Schuyler was identified as an Albany householder.

In July 1682, he married New Netherland native Cornelia Van Cortlandt at the Dutch church in New York City. By 1690, three children had been christened in New York where he was a church officer. This union helped cement the ties between two of seventeenth century New York's leading Dutch-ancestry families.

Following his marriage, he moved to New York City. He entered business - perhaps in association with his upriver kin. He served as a militia officer during the 1680s. His ascent was interrupted by the so-called Leisler's Rebellion during which he was arrested by Leisler.

In 1694, he was appointed justice of the peace. In 1695, he was elected to the provincial Assembly. During the 1690s, he also served as alderman in New York.

He filed a will in January 1700. Afflicted with smallpox, Brandt Schuyler died in New York in 1702.

Sources: The life of Brandt Schuyler is CAP biography number 1092. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.