Name Pierre Cortlandt, Role Political figure | Died July 13, 1848 Education Rutgers University | |
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Pierre Van Cortlandt Jr. (August 29, 1762 – July 13, 1848) was a United States Representative from New York. A member of New York's Van Cortlandt family, he was the son of Pierre Van Cortlandt, an early New York political figure, and brother of Philip Van Cortlandt, who was also a U.S. Representative from New York.
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Early life
Pierre Van Cortlandt, Jr. was born on August 29, 1762 at Van Cortlandt Manor in Croton, Westchester County. His parents were Pierre Van Cortlandt (1725–1819) and Joanna Livingston (1722–1808), daughter of Gilbert Livingston, a son of Robert Livingston. His great-grandfather was Stephanus Van Cortlandt, the first native-born Mayor of New York City, and his family were the patroons of Van Cortlandt Manor.
He pursued classical studies and was graduated from Queen's College (later Rutgers College) in 1783.
Career
He studied law in the office of Alexander Hamilton and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice. He retired from his law practice and devoted his time managing his estate in Westchester County. He founded and was president of the Westchester County Bank at Peekskill from 1833 until his death there in 1848.
Fort Independence
In August 1776, at the foot of Anthony's Nose, Fort Independence was built on his father's land, on the north bank of the Annsville Creek as it empties into the Hudson River. It combined with Forts Montgomery and Clinton to defend the Hudson River Valley. Forts Montgomery and Clinton were started in June.
In the mid-19th century, he built Fort Independence Hotel below the site where Fort Independence once stood. Fort Independence had been built in August 1776, at the foot of Anthony's Nose, on the family's land on the north bank of the Annsville Creek as it empties into the Hudson River. It combined with Forts Montgomery and Clinton to defend the Hudson River Valley. Forts Montgomery and Clinton were started in June. Fort Hill Park, the site of Camp Peekskill, contained five barracks and two redoubts.
Political office
In 1792, 1794 and 1795, Van Cortlandt was a member of the New York State Assembly, and was elected as a Democratic-Republican to the Twelfth United States Congress, holding office from March 4, 1811 to March 3, 1813. He was a presidential elector on the Harrison ticket in 1840.
Personal life
Van Cortlandt married Catherine Clinton (1770–1811), daughter of eventual Vice President of the United States George Clinton (1739–1812), and former wife of John Taylor.
After her death on January 10, 1811, he married Anne Stevenson (1774–1821), the daughter of John Stevenson (1734–1810) and Magdalena Douw (1750–1817), on May 10, 1813. Together, they had:
They resided at Van Cortlandt Upper Manor House and the family home known as Oldstone, 28 Bear Mountain Bridge Road, Cortlandt Manor, New York, from approximately 1783 until his death. Interment was in Hillside Cemetery.
Descendants
His grandchildren included Catherine Theresa Romeyn Van Cortlandt (1838–1921), Catherine Theresa Van Cortlandt (1838–1921), Romeyn Beekman Van Cortlandt (1843–1843), James Stevenson Van Cortlandt (1844–1917), Theoderick Romeyn Van Cortlandt (1845–1880), and Philip Van Cortlandt (1857–1858).