Career
Van Rensselaer was a Federalist presidential elector in 1796, and cast his votes for John Adams and Thomas Pinckney. He died September 11, 1802 at the Van Rensselaer Lower Manor House. On October 20, 1775, he was made colonel of the 8th Albany County Regiment of militia.
On June 16, 1780, he was made Brigadier General of the second brigade of the Albany County militia.
This brigade included the Tryon County militia. He fought at Fort Ticonderoga and at the Battle of Klock"s Field.
He was born December 16, 1740, at Fort Crailo in Rensselaer, New York to Johannes van Rensselaer, and Angelica Livingston. Robert married Cornelia Rutsen (1747–1790), the daughter of Colonel Jacob Rutsen and Alida Livingston on April 23, 1765 and had the following children:
John Van Rensselaer, died with no heirs.
Jacob R. Van Rensselaer, b.
1767, married Cornelia de Peyster. Jeremias van Rensselaer, b. 1769, daughter 1827, married Sybil Adeline Kane.
Alida van Rensselaer, married Elisha Kane.
Their son John K. Kane was a noted Pennsylvania lawyer and judge. Catharine van Rensselaer, b. abt.
1770, daughter 1867, married Colonel John Arent Schuyler of Belleville, New Jersey.
Angelica van Rensselaer, b. abt. 1785, daughter November 23, 1818, married Reverend Thomas Yardley How.
Henry van Rensselaer, b. November 8, 1775, married Catherine Doctorate. Hoffman
James van Rensselaer, b.
December 1, 1783, daughter March 12, 1840, moved to Jasper County, Indiana and purchased land to found Rensselaer, Indiana.