Philip Pieterse Schuyler was an emigrant from Amsterdam in Holland. He was born about 1628 and arrived in this country in 1650. He probably came over to trade with the Indians; at all events he was not as stated in Mrs. Lamb’s History of New York, one of the settlers sent over by the Patroon Van Rensselaer. He was a delegate at an Indian conference in 1655. Shortly afterwards he visited the Mohawks, and from that time on had much to do with Indian affairs. In 1656 he was appointed commissarie under the Dutch government, which position he held except at short intervals till his death.
He was commissioned Captain of a company of Foot in Albany Nov. 3, 1667. When the first Church in Albany was built the Schuyler arms among others of the most influential citizens were painted in one of the windows. (Schuyler’s Colonial N. Y., page 110).
Schuyler bought land and houses both in Albany and New York and farms at Esopus, but the family homestead was called the Flatts and stood about four miles from Albany; while part of the house was burnt years ago it was rebuilt and is still standing.
Philip Pieterse Schuyler married Dec. 12, 1650, Margarita Van Slechtenhorst. She was born at Nykerck, Holland, in 1628, and was the daughter of Brant Arentse Van Slechtenhorst.
Their children were: ...
... Philip Pieterse Schuyler died 9 May, 1683; his wife, Margarita Van Slechtenhorst died 1711. Will proved June 27, 1711.
