David Davidse Schuyler


David Davidse Schuyler was a colonial fur trader who served as Mayor of Albany, New York from 1706 to 1707.

Early life

Schuyler was born on January 16, 1672 at the family homestead, Schuyler Flatts. He was the third son of eight children born to his parents, David Pieterse Schuyler, who was born in the Netherlands, and Catharina Verplanck, between 1659 and 1678. Both of his parents died during the Schenectady massacre of 1690. His younger brother was Myndert Schuyler, who also served as Mayor of Albany.
His paternal grandparents were Pieter Tjercks Van Schuylder and Geertruyt Philips and his uncle was Philip Pieterse Schuyler, the prominent colonist landowner. Through his uncle, he was first cousins with Gertruj Schuyler, who married Stephanus van Cortlandt, the patroon of Van Cortlandt Manor and a Mayor of New York City, Alida Schuyler, who married Nicholas van Rensselaer and after his death, Robert Livingston the Elder, Pieter Schuyler, the first mayor of Albany, Arent Schuyler, and Johannes Schuyler.

Career

Like others in his family, he became prominent in the fur trade. In 1697, he was elected Assistant Alderman. In 1699, he was elected Alderman representing the First Ward, serving for many years. He was considered an active member of the council and often was sent to Canada on official Albany business.
In 1705, Schuyler was appointed both the Sheriff of Albany, city and county, which roles he served for a year.
In 1706, he was appointed and began serving as Mayor of Albany, succeeding Johannes Schuyler. In February 1707, he secured Soquon's deed to the "Schaahtecogue Tract 2 by 2 by 12 by 14 miles in extent." After serving for a year, he was succeeded by Evert Bancker, who had previously served as Mayor.

Personal life

In 1694, Schuyler married Elsje "Elsie" Rutgers, the daughter of Harmanus and Catrina Rutgers, a prominent New York merchant. Her maternal grandparents were Eva Albertse Bratt, daughter of Albert Andriessen Bratt, and Anthony de Hooges, the secretary of the Colony of Rensselaerswyck. Together, they were the parents of six children:
Schuyler died on December 16, 1715 at the age of forty-six. His widow, who had to care for six young children, remarried to the older Reverend Petrus Vas, pastor of the Kingston Dutch Church, in 1772.