Pieter Davidse Schuyler
Pieter Davidse Schuyler was born in April 1659. He was the eldest son of New Netherland pioneers David Pieterse and Catalina Verplanck Schuyler. He grew up in the third ward home of a prominent fur trader and community leader. He was named in the will filed by his father in 1688.
By the 1680s, he had married Alida Van Slichtenhorst, the young widow of Gerrit Van Schaick. This Schuyler marriage produced seven children who were christened at the Albany Dutch church where he was a member and regular baptism sponsor.
Initially, these Schuylers lived in Albany's second ward where he was a trader and clerk. In 1685, he was appointed to the Albany County court. In 1688, he served as Albany constable. Two years later he was appointed assistant alderman by Jacob Leisler.
By 1694, Pieter Davidse Schuyler was living in Claverack. In May 1696, he was reported as deceased. His widow lived on in their Albany house and survived until 1747.
Sources: The life of Pieter Davidse Schuyler is CAP biography number 1734. This sketch is derived chiefly from family and community-based resources.
first posted: 6/30/06