Stephen Van Rensselaer

Common card · No. 235273

Stephen Van Rensselaer III (; November 1, 1764 – January 26, 1839), was an American landowner, businessman, politician, and militia officer. He took control of Rensselaerswyck, his family's manor in upstate New York, at the age of twenty-one. He encouraged settlement by granting tenants seven years of free rent, although he retained ownership of timber, minerals, and water power. He earned the sobriquet "the Good Patroon" for generally proving to be a lenient landlord; rather than eviction, he preferred to accept partial payment or goods and services in lieu of cash when tenants were in arrears. A Federalist and brother-in-law of Alexander Hamilton, Van Rensselaer served in both houses of the state legislature and as lieutenant governor. After the demise of the Federalist Party, Van Rensselaer was a John Quincy Adams supporter and served in the United States House of Representatives for one partial term and three full ones. Van Rensselaer was a supporter of higher education; he served on...

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