John C. Schuyler

by

John Cortland Schuyler probably was born about 1767. He would have been the son of Albany native Cortland Schuyler and Barbara Gray Schuyler of Cork, Ireland. At that time, his father was a British army officer on duty in Ireland.

Cortland Schuyler then brought his wife and young family to a farm located south of the city of Albany. However, Cortland died in 1773 after falling from his horse. A few years later, widow Barbara returned to Europe with her children.

In 1784, John Cortland Schuyler, the eldest son, was sent back to America to manage his mother's inherited properties and assets. Perhaps, he took up residence in what became Watervliet.

In January 1790, he married young widow Angelica Van Rensselaer at the Dutch church in Claverack. Their brief marriage appears to have produced children.

The name "John C. Schuyler" first appeared on a list of attorneys practicing in Columbia County in 1790. However, at this point, we have not encountered additional references regarding this subject's occupation. Perhaps his public life was connected to the business of his new in-laws. In July 1793, his uncle, Philip Schuyler acknowledged receipt of JCS's bond for more than 670 pounds. JCS's wife was the niece of Mrs. Schuyler.

We seek qualitative information to help define the life of John C. Schuyler during the 1780s and 90s. He does not seem to be listed as a head of household on the First Census of 1790 in New York State.

In December 1793, John C. Schuyler filed a will. Calling himself a resident of Watervliet, he named his wife and mother as his primary beneficiaries. He died during the first half of 1794. Although the subject of subsequent litigation, the will passed probate in August 1797. His widow re-married in that year as well.

biography in-progress


notes

the people of colonial Albany Sources: The life of John Cortlandt Schuyler has no CAP biography number. His younger brother, Van Cortlandt Schuyler," was a officer and merchant who died in Ireland in 1821. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources. The most substantial yet still spare summary of his life appears in the most traditional family history.

Bond: Signed Schuyler receipt dated July 8, 1793 offered for sale online in 2013.

Copied from CSG, 1:155. Footnote reproduced here for accessibility: "In May 1794, General Philip Schuler wrote to John Gray, father of Barbara Gray Schuyler, and requested that Cortland and Sally Schuyler be sent to him to be supported as the estate of their father was not large enough to care for them." [some punctuation added]





first opened 9/29/12; online 7/20/13; last revised 12/23/13