Margarita Schuyler was a colonial hostess, adviser, wife of Colonel Philip Schuyler.
Background
Margarita was born in New York, United States, baptized January 12, 1701. She was the daughter of Johannes (1668 - 1747) and Elizabeth (Staats) Schuyler.
Her father, the youngest son of Philip Pieterse Schuyler, founder of the family in America, had participated in two expeditions against the French, had been a trusted emissary of Governor Bellomont in his diplomatic contest with the French authorities (1697 - 1701), and had labored to hold the Iroquois faithful to the English alliance despite French intrigues. As mayor of Albany (1703 - 06) and member of the board of commissioners of Indian affairs, he realized that New York's evolving policy of neutrality, dictated by the Albany merchants, placed an additional burden of frontier defense on New England, and he strove to assist the New England villages in warding off raids from disaffected eastern tribes. Thus Margarita's childhood was filled with the talk of her elders concerning military expeditions, Indian raids, conferences with the Mohawks and the Onondagas, and strife with the French Canadians.
Career
After marriage the household routine moved so smoothly under Margarita's expert guidance that she had ample time to make her home the social center of the northern frontier. The Schuylers entertained not only the provincial aristocracy but also British officers.
Mrs. Schuyler was as well informed as her husband, and many an English official was indebted to her for valuable advice on the traits of neighboring Indian tribes, the difficulties of transportation and the current state of relations with the French. Even after her husband's death in 1758, she continued to make "The Flatts" a sort of military and political headquarters.
After 1765 she leased a house in Albany where she continued to hold court, but by this time the grace and beauty of her youth were gone. Her guests saw an excessively large woman who "filled a great chair from which she seldom moved. Her aspect was composed, and her manner such as was, at first, more calculated to inspire respect, than conciliate affection".
Her last years were darkened by the shadows of the American Revolution. In her will, however, which divided her considerable estate among ten nephews and nieces, she did not discriminate against those members of her family who had supported the colonial cause. She died at Albany in August 1782.
Achievements
Margarita Schuyler was well-known as the owner of her home, that she made the social center of the northern frontier and negotiate with merchants and officials interested in the fur-trade and in Indian relations. Many English officials were asked her for valuable advice on the traits of neighboring Indian tribes, the difficulties of transportation and the current state of relations with the French.
Politics
Margarita Schuyler remained a firm and respected Loyalist mainly concerning American Revolution.
Personality
Having no children of her own, Schuyler found pleasure in adopting and educating many of her nephews and nieces and for half a century there was always some representative of the younger generation of Schuylers under her tutelage. By these beneficiaries of her generous affection she was greatly beloved.
Connections
In December 29, 1720 Margarita Schuyler married to her cousin, Philip, son of Col. Peter Schuyler. The young couple established their home in a large brick house at "The Flatts, " on the Hudson just north of Albany.
