Pieter Schuyler 1657-1724

Early Founder/Historic Leader

Pieter Schuyler was the first mayor of Albany, New York. On July 22, 1686 Albany was incorporated as a city, and Pieter Schuyler became its first mayor. He served as mayor until 1694. His father was Philip Pieterse Schuyler, and his mother was Margarita Van Schlichtenhorst [1628-1711]. His father, and probably also his mother, was one of   Beverwyck’s [later named Albany] early citizens, having emigrated from Amsterdam, Holland, during the early years of the Beverwyck colony.

Pieter Schuyler married Engeltie Van Schaick.  The couple had four children, but only one, Margaretta Schuyler, who later married Robert Livingston, survived. The others died in childhood. Engeltie Van Schaick also passed away at a rather young age, and Pieter then married Maria Van Rensselaer, the daughter of Jeremias Van Rensselaer. Pieter Schuyler and Maria Van Rensselaer had three sons. The Schuyler family was also closely related to another New Netherland family, the Van Cortlandts. Pieter’s sister married the first mayor of New York City, Stephanus Van Cortlandt. And the other Van Rensselaer connection was through Pieter’s sister, Alvida, who was married to Nicholas Van Rensselaer.

Pieter began his public career in March 1685, when he was appointed a lieutenant in the militia of Albany. He eventually rose to the rank of colonel, the highest rank possible for a native of New York. Remember that what is now New York State, was then still an English colony. In the same year, in 1685, he also was appointed to be a justice of the peace. One year later, Albany was incorporated as a city, and Pieter Schuyler was appointed to be its first mayor. During the period he was mayor, he also was the commissioner of Indian affairs, an activity in which he was quite successful. During the problems with the French on the northern border, Schuyler conducted all negotiations with the Five Nations and other Indian tribes.

During the invasion by the French from Canada, in 1691, Schuyler had the command of the army that defeated the invading force of the French and the Indians. In 1692, he was made a member of the Council to protect the settlers on the frontier. Through his doings the sufferings of the frontier settlers were ameliorated.

In 1709, Colonel Schuyler was second in command of the expeditionary force, and led one of the New York regiments, in the expedition against the French, who had invaded upper New York State again. The expedition against the French was deemed to be a failure, because the French were able to retreat. As a result the French invading force was not destroyed, as was the apparent intent of the expedition.

In December 1709, Schuyler, accompanied by five Indian chiefs sailed for England to make an appeal to the English government to conquer Canada, or presumably conquer at least what is now eastern Ontario, so as to get rid of the problems with the French on the northern border of New York.

On July 19, 1719, Schuyler became president of the Council, and was appointed to serve as acting governor of New York, until the arrival of the already appointed governor, Peter Burner, who would not arrive until the following year, in December 1720. Previously, in 1709, Schuyler had also served as acting governor of New York.

Pieter Schuyler passed away in 1724. Little is known about his burial place, and where and how he died.

See the appendix below to understand the relationship, if any, between the eight Schuylers in this listing.

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