I. Stephen

Stephen, known as " the patroon," an American statesman, born in New York, Nov. 1, 1764, died in Albany, Jan. 26, 1839. He was the fifth in lineal descent from Kiliaen Van Rensselaer, the original patroon or proprietor of the " colonie of Rensselaerswyck," who in 1630 and subsequently purchased land, which in 1637 formed a tract of 48 m. by 24, extending from the immediate vicinity of Fort Orange (now Albany) over the greater part of the present counties of Albany, Rensselaer, and Columbia. His mother was Catharine, daughter of Philip Livingston. He entered Princeton college, but owing to the proximity of the British army removed to Harvard college, where he graduated in 1782. In 1783 he married a daughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler. He was a member of the house of assembly of the state in 1789, and of the senate from 1790 to 1795, when he was chosen lieutenant governor, which office he filled for six years. He presided over the constitutional convention of 1801, and in 1810-'ll he was one of the commissioners for exploring the route and considering the feasibility of a western canal.

He was made commander of the cavalry of the state with the rank of general in 1801; and in 1812, in command of the New York militia, he assaulted and took Queenstown, Canada, but was ultimately defeated by the refusal of the militia to go out of the state, whereupon he resigned. After the war he devoted his energies, in connection with De Witt Clinton, to the prosecution of the Erie canal, and from 1816 till his death was one of the board of canal commissioners, and for 15 years its president. He was again a member of the legislature in 1816; in 1819 was elected a regent of the state university, and subsequently its chancellor; in 1820 president of the agricultural board of the state; and in 1821 a member of the constitutional convention. Under his direction and at his expense, geological surveys were made by Prof. Amos Eaton of Albany and Rensselaer counties and along the line of the Erie canal in 1821-'3, and the reports published in 1824. He also employed Prof. Eaton to deliver familiar lectures on natural science through the state. In November, 1824, he established at Troy a scientific school, which was incorporated in 1826 as the Rensselaer polytechnic institute. Fully half of its current expenses were borne by him, and he continued to aid it till his death.

He was a member of congress in 1822-9, and his vote secured the election of John Quincy Adams as president. In 1825 Yale college conferred on him the degree of LL. D. - See "A Discourse of the Life, Services, and Character of Stephen Van Rensselaer, with an Historical Sketch of the Colony and Manor of Rensselaerwyck," by Daniel D. Barnard (8vo, Albany, 1839).

II. Solomon

Solomon, an American soldier, a relative of the preceding, born in Rensselaer county, N. Y., Aug. 6, 1774, died in Albany, April 23, 1852. He entered the army in 1792, and as captain took part in the battle of Miami, where he was severely wounded. In 1800 he left the service, but was adjutant general of the New York militia for several years subsequently. In 1812 he was lieutenant colonel of volunteers, and in the assault on Queenstown heights was again seriously wounded. In 1819'22 he was a member of congress. In 1836 he published a "Narrative of the Affair at Queenstown".

III. Cortland

Cortland, an American clergyman, son of Stephen, born in Albany, May 25,1808, died in Burlington, N. J., July 27, 1860. He graduated at Yale college in 1827, and was admitted to the bar in 1830; but he soon afterward entered the theological seminary at Princeton, was ordained in 1835, and commenced preaching in Virginia. In 1837 ho became pastor of the first Presbyterian church in Burlington, N. J., and the same year corresponding secretary of the board of education of the general assembly of the Presbyterian church, both of which offices he filled till his death. He founded the " Presbyterian Magazine," and there is a posthumous volume of his "Essays and Discourses, Historical and Practical" (12mo, Philadelphia, 1861).