My Genealogy Hound

RENSSELAER SCHUYLER is the owner of one of the finest fruit farms in Seneca County. It is beautifully located on the Lake Road, town of Seneca Falls, and is well cultivated in every particular. Mr. Schuyler was born in New York City, March 4, 1821, and is the son of Peter and Elizabeth (Ware) Schuyler. The father was born in Belleville, N. J., and early in life began following the sea. He was also trained in military tactics, but, being in love with life on the water, he did not follow up his studies in that line. He entered the service as a sailor, and was promoted through the various stages until he became captain of a vessel, and when the British blockaded the port of Sandy Hook he ran the blockade and succeeded in reaching port.

While on land Captain Schuyler organized a company known in history as the Jersey Blues, and afterwards ran the blockade under cover of a severe thunderstorm in the night. Upon reaching the sea they entered the service of the Government as privateers in the War of 1812. The motto of the vessel was “United we stand, divided we fall.” The father was an expert in the management of his vessel, and on one occasion, when running the blockade, he called to the captain of another vessel telling him that if he wanted to get through safely he had better shorten his sail.

That gentleman, thinking his knowledge of vessels was about as extensive as Captain Schuyler’s, replied that he would run under first. Our hero did as he had instructed the other to do, and in consequence reached port in safety, while his comrade was never seen again.

Captain Schuyler made his home in New York City while following the sea. He traded for a time in the East Indies, and was also captain on a packet running to Liverpool. Previous to this time he had allowed his salary to accumulate, and instead of drawing it each month let it remain with his employers. They became bankrupted, however, and he lost all his savings. His last voyage was a trip to China, where he contracted yellow fever, which left him in a very feeble state. He returned home as soon as he was able, but it was not long before his death occurred, the result of pneumonia. This sad event took place when our subject was about six years of age.

The parental family included eight children, of whom Rensselaer, of this history, was the youngest but one. Of this household only two are now living, the brother of our subject being James, who makes his home in Hollister, Cal. Mrs. Schuyler departed this life the year before her husband.

On being doubly orphaned, our subject was adopted by a brother of his father, Aaron Schuyler, with whom he made his home for many years. He attended school in New York City and acquired a very fair education. In 1833, when he was in his twelfth year, his uncle came to Seneca County, and, purchasing land, gave his attention to farming. This industry was somewhat new to him, as all his life he had been a sea-coaster. Here Rensselaer also went to school winters and aided in the work on the farm during the summer months. He became a very fine penman, and when in school he was often petitioned by the teacher to give instruction in this study to the other pupils.

At the age of seventeen our subject apprenticed himself to Mr. Maurice to learn the trade of a carpenter and joiner. On this occasion he refused to be bound by any contract, as he told that gentleman if he did not use him well papers would not hold him, and if he did, he would stay with him even to the last hour. He remained in his employ two months over four years, the time which had been agreed upon, during which time he became an expert in the use of tools. He commenced working for others when nineteen years old, and very soon was placed in charge of over forty-two men. This was during the building of the bridge across Cayuga Lake for the New York Central Road.

In 1847 Mr. Schuyler and Miss Judith Norris, of the town of Seneca Falls, were united in marriage. She was born in England and was brought to America when a child by her parents. Two years after his marriage our subject went to California, the journey being undertaken in the brig “Mexican,” which had once been captured by pirates. He was eight and a-half months making the journey around Cape Horn, and upon arriving in the Golden State began working in the mines. He was thus employed for a year and a-half, when he returned home by way of the Isthmus, being en route at this time only one month.

After his return to Seneca Falls, Mr. Schuyler established a grocery business in Seneca Falls, and for four years commanded a good trade. In 1856 he was appointed State Inspector of Government Works, holding that position during the enlargement of the Seneca & Erie Canal. He was the incumbent of this position about a year, after which he purchased his present home. Ever since boyhood he had been greatly interested in fruit-raising, and when he had property of his own determined to engage in this delightful business.

In 1892 our subject was elected to the office of Superintendent of the Poor, to serve for a term of three years. He had previously served as Overseer of the Poor in the town of Seneca Falls for the same length of time. While in the village of Seneca Falls he was a member of the Board of Trustees, and was also the successful candidate for the office of Excise Commissioner.

Mr. Schuyler cast his first Presidential vote for Henry Clay. He, however, changed his views about the time the war opened and ever since has been a stanch Democrat. He now has in his possession an old cane used by General Jackson, which was sent to him by his cousin, Schuyler Underhill, whose home was near the “Hermitage,” the old Jackson residence. He also has a cane made from a part of the frigate “Constitution,” with the name of all the Presidents down to Garfield carved upon it.

To Mr. and Mrs. Schuyler there were born three children. Robert A., who was born November 3, 1849, attended the academy at Seneca Falls, and upon completing his literary education took a business course in the Commercial College of Auburn. He is now Cashier for the New York Central, Lake Shore and two other corporations, with headquarters at Suspension Bridge. He has a daughter, Mary. Our subject’s second child, Mary E., is now deceased. Judith Gertrude also attended the academy at Seneca Falls, and for a number of years followed teaching. Our subject is a member of Trinity Episcopal Church, with which denomination his ancestors were identified for many generations. In 1852 Mr. Schuyler became a Mason, joining Pocahontas Lodge No. 211, in the village of Seneca Falls, and being one of the first to be initiated after the lodge was organized. He has filled nearly all the chairs in that particular lodge and bears the distinction of being its oldest member.