Killian Killian Van Rensselaer [1763-1845]

US Congressman

Killian Van Rensselaer served in the U.S. House of Representatives as a Federalist in the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh congresses. He served for 10 years from 1801 to 1811. During that time he represented three different congressional districts in New York. From 1801 to 1803 he represented New York’s 8^th congressional district, from 1803 to 1809 he represented New York’s 9^th congressional district and from 1809 until 1811 he represented New York’s 7^th congressional district.

Van Rensselaer attended Yale College to study law. It is not clear if he graduated but in 1784 he was admitted to the New York bar. He commenced to practice law in Claverack, NY. During that time he also was a private secretary to General Philip Schuyler. He interrupted his law practice during his ten years in the United States Congress, but resumed his law practice at the end of his congressional service.

During his service in the 7^th New York congressional district, he was preceded by Barent Gardenier, a Dutch American, and was succeeded by Harmanus Bleecker, another Dutch American.

Killian K. Van Rensselaer was born in Greenbush, New York on June 9, 1863 and passed away on June 18, 1845 at the advanced age of 82. He was the cousin of Jeremiah Van Rensselaer and the uncle of Solomon Van Vechten Van Rensselaer. Both were also representatives representing New York congressional districts. He was interred in a private cemetery in East Greenbush, NY.

See the appendix at the end of the bio profile for Kiliaen Van Rensselaer [1595-1644] to see the relationship between the ten Van Rensselaers in this listing.

---