Philip Schuyler
Philip John Schuyler (
November 20,
1733 –
November 18,
1804) was a general in the
American Revolution and a
United States Senator from
New York. He is usually known as
Philip Schuyler, while his son is usually known as
Philip J. Schuyler.
Philip was born at
Albany, New York on
November 20,
1733 to a wealthy colonial family.Although his family came from humble origins they had gradually expanded their holdings and influence in the New World. His father, John Schuyler, Jr., was the third generation of the family in America, when he married
Cornelia Van Cortlandt, connecting them with another prominent family. (A cousin of John Schuyler, Jr. was Peter Schuyler who commanded the
Jersey Blues. Another Cousin of Philip Schuyler was Hester Schuyler married William Colfax, a veteran of
George Washington Life Guards and later a General in the New Jersey Milita who also commanded the
Jersey Blues{These were also the grandparents of Congressman
Schuyler Colfax}. A nephew of Peter Schuyler was
Loyalist Arent Schuyler De Peyster. A brother-in-law of Philip Schuyler was Director General of the Military Hospitals of the Continental Army, Dr.
John Cochran[
1].)
His father died when Philip was seven years old. After attending the public school at Albany he was educated by tutors at the Van Cortlandt family estate at
New Rochelle. He joined the British forces in
1755 during the
French and Indian War, raised a company, and was commissioned as its Captain by his cousin, Lt. Governor
James Delancey.Later in that war he served as a quartermaster, purchasing supplies and organizing equipment.
In September of 1755 he married
http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GRid=7275660 Catherine Van Rensselaer (1734-1803) at Albany.This cemented his relationship with another powerful New York family. Although the marriage was urgent (their first daughter Angelica was born in February, 1756), they were a devoted couple for the rest of their lives, and had eleven children.
In
1761-
1762 Philip made a trip to England to settle accounts from his work as quartermaster. He also used this time to build a town house in Albany, and start his country estate at Saratoga (which is now
Schuylerville, New York). After the war he also expanded his estate at Saratoga, expanding his holdings to tens of thousands of acres, adding tenant farmers, a store, and mills for flour, flax, and lumber. His
flax mill for the making of linen was the first one in America. He built several schooners on the
Hudson River, and named the first
Saratoga.
Schuyler began his political career as a member of the New York Assembly in
1768, and served in that body until 1775. During this time his views came to be more opposed to the colonial government. He was particularly outspoken in matters of trade and currency. He was also made a Colonel in the militia for his support of governor
Henry Moore.
Schuyler was elected to the
Continental Congress in
1775, and served until he was appointed a Major General of the
Continental Army in June. General Schuyler took command of the Northern Department, and planned the
Invasion of Canada (1775). His poor health required him to place
Richard Montgomery in command of the invasion.
As department commanding General, he was active in preparing a defense against the
Saratoga Campaign in 1777. When General
St. Clair surrendered
Fort Ticonderoga in July, the Congress replaced Schuyler with General
Horatio Gates. When Schuyler demanded a court martial for his role, he was vindicated but resigned from the army in
1779. He then served in two more sessions of the Continental Congress in
1779 and
1780.
He was a member of the New York State Senate, serving in
1780-
1784 and
1786-
1790.While a state senator he actively supported the adoption of the
United States Constitution.He was elected to the first United States Senate, serving from
1789 to
1791.Losing his bid for reelection, he returned to the state senate from
1792 to
1797.In the elections of
1796 he was returned to the U.S. Senate and served from
March 4,
1797 until he resigned with health problems on
January 3,
1798.
*His daughter Elizabeth married
Alexander Hamilton, who was later
Secretary of the Treasury.
*His son
Philip Jeremiah Schuyler also had a political career and served in the
United States House of Representatives.
*Another daugther, Margarita, married a cousin
Stephen Van Rensselaer III 8th Patroon of the name.
*Angelina married John Barker Church
Member of Parliament.
Philip's country home had been destroyed by British General
John Burgoyne's forces in September, 1777. Starting later that year he rebuilt on the same site, now located in southern Schuylerville, New York. The 1777 home is maintained by the
National Park Service as part of the
Saratoga National Historical Park, and is open to the public.
Schuyler died at home in Albany on
November 18,
1804 and is buried in the
Albany Rural Cemetery at
Menands, New York.
Schuyler County, Illinois and
Schuyler County, New York were named in his honor.
In 1833, construction of a fort began on the tip of the
Throggs Neck peninsula in New York, to protect the western end of the
Long Island Sound. The installation of armament was completed in 1856, and the fortification was named
Fort Schuyler in his honor. Fort Schuyler now houses the
Maritime Industry Museum and the
State University of New York Maritime College.
Revolutionary Enigma; A Re-Appraisal of General Philip Schuyler of New York by Martin H. Bush; 1969; (ISBN 080468080).
Life of General Philip Schuyler, 1733-1804 by Bayard Tuckerman; 1903; (1969 reprint ISBN 0836950313).
Proud Patriot: Philip Schuyler and the War of Independence, 1755-1783 by Don Gerlach; 1987; Syracuse University Press; (ISBN 0815623739).
:
U.S. Senate Biography*
Co-Planner of the Sullivan-Clinton Campaign Against the Iroquois
