Van Rensselaer was born on April 10, 1792, in New York into the prominent Van Rensselaer family. He was the eldest son of Margaretta "Margaret" (née Sanders) Van Rensselaer (1764–1830) and Killian K. Van Rensselaer, who served as a U.S. Representative from New York from 1801 to 1811.[1] Among his surviving siblings were William Van Rensselaer, Richard Van Rensselaer, and Bernard Sanders Van Rensselaer.[2]
During the War of 1812, Van Rensselaer was commissioned as a Lieutenant, but for most of service, "was attached to the staff of the General Commanding the Northern Division of the State, whose field of duty was in the vicinity of Lake Champlain.[1] As part of Hampton's command, he served as Captain and Quartermaster of the 4th Brigade New York from September 10, 1812, to September 4, 1813.[6]
On March 12, 1816, Van Rensselaer was married to Ann Dunkin (1795–1845) in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was a daughter of Robert Henry Dunkin (a nephew of Chief-Justice Sir William Dunkin)[7] and Elizabeth (née Watkins) Dunkin.[2] Together, they were the parents of four sons and six daughters, including:[8]
Dunkin Henry van Rensselaer (1817–1819), who died young.[9]
Maunsell van Rensselaer (1819–1900), an Episcopal priest and author who married Sarah Ann Taylor.[8][10]
Margaretta Sanders Van Rensselaer (1821–1879), who married Joseph W. Russell.[8]
Lydia Beekman Van Rensselaer (1827–1903), who married banker John Sill in 1849.[8]
Harriet Letitia Van Rensselaer (1830–1902), who married lawyer and novelist Leonard Kip.[8]
Samuel Watkins van Rensselaer (1832–1839), who died young.[8]
Catherine Sanders Van Rensselaer (1834–1909), who married Confederate officer, Col. Robert Johnston in 1857; he was an aide to Gen. Robert E. Lee and his cousin, Gen. George Pickett.[8]
Louisa Van Rensselaer (1838–1862), who married Charles de Kay Townsend.[8]
After a brief illness, Van Rensselaer died on March 19, 1868, in Albany, New York.[1]
^Stevens, John Austin; DeCosta, Benjamin Franklin; Johnston, Henry Phelps; Lamb, Martha Joanna; Pond, Nathan Gillett (1889). The Magazine of American History with Notes and Queries. A. S. Barnes. p. 259. Retrieved 12 October 2022.
