Introduction

David was born in Albany, New York Province, in 1688 and was the grandson of the immigrant Davit Pieterse Schuyler whose older brother was the better known Philip Pieterse Schuyler. The immigrant brothers were the sons of Pieter Tjerck and Geertruy Phillips Van Schuylder/Schuyler. An article published in 1982 [1] gives the results of research in Netherlands records on the ancestry of the parents. The Dr. I. H. van Eeghen article shows that Geertruy was the daughter of Philip Van Schuylder/Schuyler and that Philip was the son of (Cornelis?) Schoeler of Kampen, province of Overussel, Netherlands. Philip presumably died in Duisburg, Germany, in 1614. Pieter Tjerck was the son of Tjerck Jansz and Stinjntie Doudes. Tjerck and Stinjntie arrived in Amsterdam in 1606 from Emden, at that time located in what was the County of East Friesland, Germany, a free city. [1]

Philip Pieterse took the surname of his mother when he came to New Netherlands probably in 1650. Davit Pieterse probably arrived before 1657 and like his brother also took his mother's surname. Davit and his siblings are shown in Chart I, page xi. He was born in the Netherlands and baptized in the Nieuwe Kirk (New Church), Amsterdam, in 1636. He lived in the Netherlands where he was supported by his father until at least 1651. [1] His father had died by 1656 and Davit probably came to New Netherlands shortly after his father's death. He was married in the Dutch Church, New Amsterdam (New York City), in 1657 to Catalyn Ver Planck, daughter of Abraham Isaacsen and Maria (Vigne) Ver Planck. They had the children shown in Chart II, page xi. Davit was a resident of Beverwyck (Albany) where he engaged in trade and was a buyer and seller of real estate. He died in Albany in 1690, two days after fleeing from Schenectady, suggesting that he had been at the Schenectady Massacre. This massacre occurred during the war between England and France (King William's War) when a party of French and Indians from Canada reached the stockaded village of Schenectady, 20 miles east of Albany. They found the gates to the village wide open, no one on guard, and the way clear. Perhaps a third of the inhabitants were killed, a third carried off prisoners to Canada, and a third escaped to Albany.

Their son Peter Schuyler, Chart III, page xi, was born in Beverwyck in 1659. He married Alida Van Slichtenhorst, widow of Gerrit Van Schaick, and daughter of Gerrit and Aeltje (Lansing) Van Slichtenhorst. Their children are shown in Chart III. Peter was a merchant in Albany. He also lived for a short time in Claverack, which was south of Albany and east of the Hudson River, where his wife's father had a small tract of land. In 1685, he was appointed a judge and was assisted by four justices of the peace. He died suddenly in 1696 and left no will. David Schuyler, the subject of this genealogy, was their third son.

The Schuylers were a prominent family in Albany. The descendants of the two immigrant brothers were associated in business and socially in Albany and New York Province and married into the leading families in Albany. Members of both Schuyler lines were active in trade with the Indians and in public affairs under the Dutch and then the English, who took control of New Netherlands in 1674. Colonel Peter Schuyler, son of the immigrant Philip, was mayor of Albany and Chairman of the Board of Indian Commissioners. After the signing of the peace treaty between England and France after the close of King William's War (1689-1697), New York sent six negotiators to restore relations with Canada. Among the negotiators from the David Schuyler line were Abraham of Charts II and IV, and David of Charts II and IL There were also two Schuylers from the Philip line.

Following Colonel Peter Schuyler, Myndert Schuyler, Chart II, served as an Indian Affairs Commissioner for nearly 40 years. Both Myndert and David were active with trade with Canada. Abraham accompanied Colonel Peter Schuyler and a delegation of Mohawk Indians on a visit to England in 1710 in an attempt to obtain more help against the French and their Indians allies. Abraham died in 1726 on a mission to Indians west of the Mohawk Valley.

As will be seen David Schuyler, the subject of this genealogy, settled in the Canajoharie area of the Mohawk Valley in the 1730s and lived there until he died in 1762. Prior to 1700, the Mohawk Valley, a major route to the West, was populated by the Mohawk Indians. The early 1700s saw the settlement of Dutch, English and Palatines. The valley's location near areas controlled by the French made it the scene of conflict until the French and Indian War (1754-1763) ended French control east of the Mississippi River.

David lived near the Mohawk Indian settlement of Canajoharie Castle or Upper Castle, the main Indian settlement on the upper Mohawk River. This was the home of King Hendrick, one of the Indian leaders who had visited England in 1710. He lost his life in 1755 during the French and Indian War at the battle of Lake George where William Johnson was wounded. The Canajoharie Castle was also the home of Joseph Brant and his sister Mary (Molly), who became the hostess of William Johnson and the mother of several of his children. Joseph was born in 1742 and educated at Reverend Wheelock's school in Connecticut. He was closely associated with William Johnson, fought in the French and Indian Wars and later was a key participant for the English in the American Revolution.

William Johnson was the most influential settler in the valley. He had come from Ireland about 1738 to manage lands in the Mohawk Valley for his uncle, Peter Warren. William became a prominent trader, agent with the Indians, and acquired large tracts of land. In 1749, he built his first home, called Mount Johnson (later Fort Johnson), up the river from present-day Amsterdam. He secured the trust and loyalty of the Indians and was a leader in the French and Indian War, In 1755 he was appointed a baronet and named Superintendent of Indian Affairs for the Northern Department. He died in 1774, on the eve of the American Revolution.

The Palatines, from Europe's Rhine River region, were first settled along the Hudson River and then moved farther west. In 1722 they were given grants of land in the Burnetsfield Patent, which stretched west about 24 miles from present-day Little Falls on both sides of the Mohawk River. One of the early leaders was Johan Jost Herkimer, whose fortified home was known as Fort Herkimer (Fort Kouari) at the time of the French and Indian War. General Nicholas Herkimer, of Battle of Oriskany fame, was one of his sons. Nicholas was born in 1728 and about 1762 built a substantial brick home at Fall Hill, near the Indian Castle. In 1774, he became chairman of the Committee of Safety for Canajoharie District, and in 1775 a general in the militia. He died in August 1777, shortly after the Battle of Oriskany, a major battle in which he was wounded. The first son of David Schuyler of Canajoharie, Peter D. Schuyler, married Elizabeth Barbara Herkimer, a sister of Nicholas. It is believed that David's son Philip was killed at Oriskany. Other sons may have fought in the battle, but no records of their participation have been found.

As will be seen David was involved in a number of land dealings and obtained land for Philip Livingston and others in the Mohawk Valley. Philip Livingston was born in 1686 and died in 1749. He was the son of Robert and Alida (Schuyler) Livingston. Robert was the First Lord of Livingston Manor which was located along the Hudson River. Alida was the daughter of the immigrant Philip Pieterse Schuyler and the widow of Nicholas Van Rensselaer. Philip Livingston was the leading patentee of the Van Horne Patent for which David Schuyler was a key figure in obtaining the land.
Reference:
1. Meijuffrouw Dr. I. H. van Eeghen, De familie van Schuylder/Schuyler in Amsterdam en Fort Orahje [Albany], in "Jaarhoek Bureau voor Genealogie," (1982).

About the Author, James O. Schuyler

James O. Schuyler of California (who is a direct descendant of David Schuyler, the subject of this book) co-authored this 508 page family history book with his cousin Evelyn R. Hessler and published the book in 2006.

If you are interested in acquiring a copy of this wonderful book, then display, print and complete this book request form and send it to James. Book Request Form

Read detailed information about Jacob Schuyler and his ancestors.
Jacob Schuyler b. abt 1748