Philip Schuyler

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Philip Schuyler : biography

November 20, 1733 – November 18, 1804

Schuyler was an original member of the New York Society of the Cincinnati.

Legacy

  • Schuyler County, Illinois and Schuyler County, New York were named in his honor.
  • Fort Schuyler, constructed 1833-56, at the tip of Throggs Neck (a narrow spit of land in the southeastern portion of the borough of the Bronx in New York City) was named in his honor. The fort, built to defend the passage between the East River and Long Island Sound from sea invasion, now houses the Maritime Industry Museum and the State University of New York Maritime College.
  • The Philip Schuyler Achievement Academy in Albany, New York is named in his and his son’s honor.
  • A statue of Schuyler, created by sculptor J. Massey Rhind in 1925 stands on the grounds of Albany’s city hall.

Early life

Philip Schuyler was born in Albany, New York, on November 20, 1733, to John (Johannes) Schuyler, Jr. (1697–1741), third generation of the Dutch family in America, and Cornelia Van Cortlandt (1698–1762).

Prior to his father’s death, on the eve of his eighth birthday, Schuyler attended the public school at Albany. Afterward, 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.

From 1761 to 1762, Schuyler made a trip to England to settle accounts from his work as quartermaster. During this time his home in Albany, later called Schuyler Mansion, was built. His country estate at Saratoga (which is now Schuylerville, New York) was also begun. After the war he also expanded his estate at Saratoga, expanding his holdings to tens of thousands of acres, adding slaves, tenant farmers, a store, 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.